Brown trout and Arctic char, right near Reykjavik.

This private lake-and-river fishing tour pairs real guidance with big Iceland road-trip views, so even a first timer can feel in control on the water.

I love that you start with hotel pickup and a morning drive through Thingvellir National Park, then get geared up and fishing with permits and equipment handled. I also love that your guide teaches skills on the spot, whether you want fly fishing practice or to fish with a spinning setup.

One thing to consider: Iceland wind and rain can be real, and you’ll want to dress for cold, wet conditions during your 5–6 hours of fishing.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Day One

• Thingvellir stop on the drive: UNESCO World Heritage scenery before you even cast
• Brown trout + Arctic char targets: two species, two chances at a satisfying day
• Choose spin or fly (with teaching): learning is built into the experience, not an add-on
• River and lake fishing: you fish across different water types, not just one spot
• Up to 2 fish kept, catch and release standard: a clear, conservation-minded approach
• Private guide attention: you’re not sharing instruction with a crowd

A Reykjavik Fishing Day That Starts in Thingvellir

This is a full day built around convenience and calm focus. Around 08:00, you’ll get picked up from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area, then settle in as the drive heads toward Iceland’s south. The first major payoff is the stop near Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Why that matters for your day: it sets the tone. You go from city to open country without stress, and you get real context for where you are. You’re not rushing straight to a fishing hole. Instead, you ease into the day while the scenery changes—wide open sky, dramatic geology, and those signature Icelandic weather shifts you can feel coming.

You’ll then continue to the fishing area, where the morning transitions into hands-on time. The “drive first, fish later” format is smart, especially if you’re new. You’ll have time to get oriented, meet your guide, and get comfortable with the gear before you’re asked to do anything technical like casting a fly.

The Water Stops: Rivers and Lakes for Two Species

The tour is built around fishing both a river and a lake during the day, with your targets listed as brown trout and Arctic char. That’s not just a marketing line. Different water types often mean different fish behavior and different tactics.

On days like this, river fishing tends to reward positioning—watching where the current slows, where the water changes depth, and where fish can tuck in. Lake fishing is often about patience and presentation: you’re usually working longer stretches of water and trying to get your fly or lure into the strike zone with good control.

One detail that adds confidence is that the guides have experience across these settings. In particular, you may see anglers paired with guides such as Reynir, Kristinn, Gummi, or Freddy, and that matters because this isn’t a one-size-fits-all demo. A strong guide helps you adjust quickly when the day’s conditions change, especially with cold water and wind.

This tour also includes fishing permits. That sounds boring until you remember how many places require paperwork to fish legally. Having permits handled saves time and keeps the day straightforward.

Fly vs Spin: Pick Your Casting Style (and Learn It)

You can choose how you fish: spin or fly, and your guide is happy to teach you the technique if you want to learn fly fishing. This is a big deal for value. A fly rod isn’t just extra gear—it’s a different rhythm, timing, and casting mechanics. If you’re starting from zero, you need coaching you can use immediately, not a lecture you only remember later.

With a spin setup, you’ll usually focus on matching the right lure or bait presentation, then working water with controlled casts. It tends to be a great entry point for beginners who want action while still learning.

With fly fishing, you’ll want to pay attention to basics like line control and how your casting sets the fly down. If the day is windy (common in Iceland), fly casting becomes its own puzzle. That’s where coaching pays off fast. One experienced guide on this route—Reynir—was specifically noted for patience, especially when conditions were extremely windy. You should expect a similar approach: steady coaching, practical corrections, and a focus on getting you casting well enough to fish, not just look the part.

Sometimes bait fishing is also possible. That gives you flexibility if the fish are more responsive to that style on a given day.

What Your Guide Actually Does On the Day

A private fishing tour lives or dies by guidance. Here, you’re not just handed a rod and sent off. Your guide is there to help you fish, adjust tactics, and keep the day productive.

From the kinds of help described by guides on this route, you can expect at least three useful things:

• Real-time instruction so you know what to do next, not just what happened in the past
• Tactical adjustments when the fish aren’t immediately cooperating
• Help landing fish and learning the moment when it’s time to set the hook or change presentation

Guides also add Iceland context during the drive. Some groups have been paired with guides like Kristinn, who shared knowledge of the area while traveling to the river. Others were led by guides like Freddy, praised for personal attentiveness once on the water—spotting where fish were in the water and then celebrating when someone lands their first Arctic char.

Also: comfort. A day on cold water is exhausting. Reynir, for example, was noted for bringing snacks and sandwiches plus plenty of drinks. Even if your guide’s exact setup differs, the point is clear: this isn’t just a fishing session. It’s a day designed so you can keep your energy up and stay warm enough to keep trying.

Timing, Fishing Hours, and the 2-Fish Limit

Your day is scheduled for 8 hours total, with fishing lasting about 5–6 hours. That timing matters because it’s long enough to feel like you had a real outing, but not so long that everyone gets drained and cranky.

Here’s the key rule: you’re allowed to take up to 2 fish from the day. The standard practice is catch and release. That creates a balanced experience. You can aim to keep a fish if you want, but the tour is set up so the water stays healthy for future anglers too.

Why that matters to you:

• If you’re new, catch and release means you can focus on learning without feeling pressure to land and keep everything.
• If you’re experienced, the 2-fish limit gives you a clear boundary and a goal that doesn’t turn the day into pure harvesting.

Also remember: catching fish is never a guaranteed math problem. Iceland waters can be unpredictable, and your guide’s job is to keep your effort productive. When conditions are tough, they’ll typically help you adjust your approach so you’re not just repeating the same cast and hoping.

What to Wear: Wind, Rain, and Staying Functional

Plan for weather that can change quickly. The tour explicitly asks you to wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket. That’s not a casual suggestion. On the water, wind can make the cold factor jump from uncomfortable to distracting.

My practical advice:

• Wear layers you can keep on while moving around gear and water edges
• Choose a rain shell that blocks wind, not just mist
• Keep gloves and a hat in mind if you feel cold easily, especially when your hands are working casts

If you’re doing fly fishing, comfort matters even more. Cold fingers make it harder to feel line tension and manage your cast cleanly. One guide’s day was described as extremely windy, and the tour worked anyway because the guide stayed patient and supportive. You’ll still do better if you show up ready for that kind of weather.

Shoes are also important, because you’ll be near wet ground. The tour provides fishing equipment, but you still control footwear and personal warmth. Dress like you’re going out for a winter walk, not like you’re going to a casual outdoor market.

Price and Value: Why $766 Can Be Worth It

At $766 per person, this isn’t a cheap outing. But it can be good value depending on how you travel and what you want from the day.

What you’re paying for:

• Private guiding (not shared instruction)
• Pickup and transport from the Reykjavik area
• Fishing permits
• Fishing equipment
• A day with 5–6 hours on the water, plus time for the drive and Thingvellir

If you’re comparing this to cheaper shared tours, the difference is attention. In fishing, small corrections matter. Getting your fly or lure into the right zone often depends on casting accuracy, line control, and reading conditions—skills your guide helps with in the moment.

It’s also a value play if you want to learn fly fishing properly. Many group experiences treat fly as a novelty. Here, your guide is open to teaching you the technique, so you aren’t stuck translating instructions while half your group is still figuring out their rod.

The trade-off: if you’re only looking for a casual try with zero instruction, you may decide this level of service costs more than you need. But if you want coaching, legal permits, gear, and transport, the package starts to make sense quickly.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)

You’ll probably love this if:

• You want a private day with a guide who can tailor help as you go
• You’re a beginner and want fly fishing instruction that actually happens while you cast
• You already fish and want Iceland species targets like brown trout and Arctic char
• You want a day that includes scenery time through Thingvellir, not only time beside a single water source

You might skip it if:

• You’re on a tight budget and prefer to fish independently (though you’d still need permits, gear, and local know-how)
• You hate cold, wind, and moving slowly outdoors for hours
• You only care about keeping fish and aren’t interested in learning technique, since catch and release is the standard approach

This tour is also ideal for couples or small groups where one person wants to learn and another wants to fish immediately. The private format helps both sides feel satisfied.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Lake and River Fishing Tour?

If you want a day that feels organized, scenic, and coached from start to finish, I think this is a strong choice. The biggest strengths are the private guidance, the chance to fish for brown trout and Arctic char, and the fact that you can choose fly or spin with instruction on the spot.

Book it if:

• You’re curious about fly fishing and want real teaching
• You want permits and equipment handled so you can focus on learning and fishing
• You like the idea of a morning drive through Thingvellir before you even hit the water

Skip it if:

• You’re allergic to cold weather work and don’t want to bring layers and a rain jacket
• You want a low-cost option where you bring your own gear and figure out everything locally

If you do book, show up warm, listen closely to your guide’s adjustments, and treat the day as a skill-building mission. Even when the fish are finicky, that approach makes Iceland fishing feel rewarding instead of frustrating.

FAQ

What time is pickup from Reykjavik?

Pickup is included from your hotel or guesthouse in the Reykjavik area at around 08:00.

How long is the tour, and how long do we fish?

The tour lasts about 8 hours total, and you will fish for around 5–6 hours.

What types of fish can I target?

The tour targets brown trout and Arctic char.

Can I fish with a fly rod?

Yes. You can choose fly fishing, and your guide is willing to teach you the technique.

Can I fish with a spinning rod or bait?

You can choose spin or fly rods, and bait fishing is sometimes also possible.

How many fish can I keep?

You’re allowed to take up to 2 fish from the day with you, while catch and release is the standard practice.

What’s included in the price?

Included are fishing permits, fishing equipment, a fishing guide, and transport.

Do I need to bring my own gear?

No fishing equipment is included, but you should still bring appropriate clothing for cold and wet conditions.

What should I bring?

Wear warm clothes and bring a rain jacket for the trip.

Is the guide instruction in English, and is it private?

Yes, the instruction is in English, and it’s a private group.

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