Your ultimate guide to fishing on the Reykjanes Peninsula

Fishing has long been an important industry in Iceland but angling as a leisure pursuit is popular also. If you’re here on holiday, it’s the ideal place to enjoy this often relaxing pastime in beautiful surroundings. Here’s what you need to know.

The best spots for inland anglers

Lake fishing is easy to arrange if you’re staying on the Reykjanes peninsula. There are a number of lakes with reliable fish stocks and visitors won’t find it too arduous to get themselves the right permit. These are four lakes you might consider:

Kleifarvatn is the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula. The lake varies in temperature, and you’ll have the best chance of catching something if you stick to the southern part of the lake shore as that’s where the hot spring has greatest impact. You can use any bait (fly, worm and lure) and the season runs from May to September.

Lake Djupavatn most likely started out as a crater lake. Arctic char from Lake Thingvallavatn were released there decades ago and since then it’s been a popular spot for a bit of fishing and seclusion. Contact the Angling Club of Hafnarfjörður for more information.

Lake Hlidarvatn is a popular fly fishing spot. It’s possible to catch lake char, sea trout and brown trout here. One of Reykjanes’ most interesting churches, Strandarkirkja, can be seen from the lake. The Angling Club of Hafnarfjörður can sort you out with a permit.

Seltjorn is located in the west of Reykjanes peninsula. In summer, char and brown trout are released into this small lake for anglers to catch, while in winter, this is a good spot to try ice fishing if the weather allows. Head down there and pick up a permit on arrival.

Sea angling

Getting out onto the open seas is a thrill, whether you’re a novice or a committed angler. You might catch fish such as cod, catfish, haddock, pollock or mackerel. A good place to start if you want to fix up a tour is the Anglers: Fishing in Iceland website. Departing from Keflavik harbour, you’ll need to allow at least three or four hours. You get to keep what you catch, which is great news if you’re self catering.

Iceland’s fishing heritage

If you’re keen on history, you might prefer to concentrate on the area’s fishing industry heritage. There are some interesting museums and exhibitions that tell the story of how people made a living from the sea in the past. For instance, you might wish to visit Kvikan, the Saltfish Museum in Grindavik, which covers every aspect of how the catch was preserved, processed and transported. The many shipwrecks on the nearby Hópsnes peninsula are a powerful reminder of how the sea demands respect and of the bravery of those who make their living afloat.

Good to know

If you’re keen to fish while you’re in Iceland, make sure you have the correct permit. A fishing licence which gives you access to 34 spots across the country can be obtained from the Veiðikortið website or from N1 or OLIS service stations. There are a number of important regulations to be aware of, such as not fishing at night and ensuring you have approval from the landowner. If you plan to bring your own equipment, you’ll need to make sure it’s fully sanitised to avoid harming Iceland’s fragile ecosystem. It is straightforward to arrange to do this on arrival for a reasonable fee.