Thingvallavatn angling

Lake Thingvallavatn

Lake Thingvallavatn is the largest „natural” lake of the country with an area of 83,7 km². Its greatest depth is 114 m and it reaches 13 m below sea level. The greatest length of the lake is 14,5 km and width 9,5 km. Sog, its discharge, is a 19 km long salmon river Olfusa, which tributes to the country’s largest glacial river. The average flow of the Sog river is 108 m³/sec. The lake’s catchment area is 90% underground and the water from the thousands of cold springs has a constant temperature of 3-4°C the whole year round. The anglers, who use boats for their fishing, have to be careful and watch out for changes in the weather. The lake becomes a boiling pot, when the wind starts blowing.

The catch in the lake has always been a necessary part for the survival of the farming families on the lake.

Fishing card:

Thingvallavatn – national park
(Lake Thingvellir)
Location:
Thingvallavatn is located in Thingvallasveit in Blaskogabyggd. It’s belongs to Iceland’s most treasured national monument, Thingvellir.

Distance from Reykjavík: The lake is situated approx. 50 km. from Reykjavík.

Practical information
Thingvallavatn rises to approx. 100 m. above sea level, with size of 84 km2 and max. depth of 114 m.
The lake is one of Iceland’s most popular fishing sites, with large numbers of regulars. Thingvellir and Thingvallavatn combine unusual natural beauty and Iceland’s cultural heritage, Thingvellir being the site where Europe’s first parliament was founded. See also: http://www.thingvellir.is/english
The lake is very cold so please wade carefully!

Fishing area
Cardholders are only allowed to fish in the National park, in the area between Arnarfell and Oxara. Fishing in Oxara River is strictly prohibited.
Maps and other information are available at the Service Centre, where cardholders are obliged to register. We like to stress that all fishing is prohibited in Olafsdrattur between July 1st and August 31st.

Accommodation
Thingvellir is a popular summer resort. Camping sites are located in various places around the lake. Permits can be purchased at the Service Centre.
Vatnskot is an exciting camping site, where one can also receive information concerning the best fishing grounds.

Fishing
Thingvallavatn has a special affiliation to various types of fish. No other lake has as many species of char and its brown trout is quite particular. The Thingvallavatn char is usually rather large and every year hundreds of brown trouts over 10lbs are caught.

Fishing hours
No restrictions

Fishing season
From 20th of April to 31st of May then there is only flyfishing allowed and all brown trout released. After that, from 1st of June to 15th of September, you may fish with fly, lure and worm.  We like to stress, that all fishing is prohibited in Olafsdrattur between July 1st and August 31st.

Bait
Only fly, worm and lure. All other bait and synthetics is strightly forbidden. PLEASE NOTE FLY FISHING PERIOD FROM 20TH OF APRIL UNTIL 31ST OF MAY.

Best fishing time
The brown trout is most visible during the evening. The char is no respecter of seasons or times of day. Please keep in mind that brown trouts bigger than 5 pounds are not recommended for consuming because of high volume of mercury (*hg) (quicksilver) so we recommed catch and release for the big brown trout.

Special rules
We like to stress the importance of keeping the place tidy. So littering in the area is strictly forbidden. Cars and other vehicles must stay on designated roads. Please leave your card on the window shield inside the car visible for the national park guards.

Contact
Guides and guards are stationed at the Service Centre and Vatnskot.

Fishing card only costs 9.900 ISK.

Thingvallavatn in Icelandic