Big Laxa River - Iceland

World-Class Fly Fishing for Brown Trout and Salmon

Big Laxa is a world-class brown trout and Atlantic salmon river. (Laxa means Salmon in Icelandic.) Located in Adaldalur in northern Iceland, the river is 300 miles from Reykjavik, the capital. This package is guided or unguided, fishing the Arbot Beat.

Big Laxa River - The Arbot Beat

Anglers with World-Class Brown Trout

The Big Laxa is a fertile river, home to a huge stock of brown trout averaging 3 to 4 pounds and weighing up to 13 pounds. Some 6-to-8-pounders are landed each season. The Arbot Beat is an excellent for those looking for bigger brown trout and huge salmon weighing up to 30 pounds.
During this four-day fly fishing trip at Big Laxa River, you’ll fish the Arbot Beat for big browns and Atlantic salmon. Wade-fishing only. All fishing is catch-and-release. You may only use barbless hooks.
The Arbot, a 2.2-mile-long beat, is a ten-minute walk down the hill from the Lodge. The Arbot is an extraordinary beat with great character. From April to June 20, the beat is limited to four rods; and then from June 21 through September, the beat is limited to two rods.

Arbot Beat Fishing Facts:

Big Laxa Brown Trout

Season:  The Arbot Beat season runs from April 1 to September 20. Trout fishing is good throughout the season, with peak fishing from mid-May through the end of June. Peak Atlantic salmon fishing is July through September.
Guides:  For guided packages, you're guided up to 10 hours per day. Two anglers per English-speaking guide.
Equipment:  No equipment, waders, or flies are supplied. All flies should be new or unused as Iceland has a strict policy that requires anglers to sterilize their tackle before visiting the country.
Icelandic Fishing License:  is included in the package.
Package Options:  Fully guided packages include ground transfers, accommodations, and meals. Self-guided packages you will need to arrange for ground transfers and meals.

Typical Fishing Day:
Salmon fishing days at Big Laxa typically start at 7:00 a.m. and end at 10:00 p.m., with a lunch break in between at the Lodge from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. When you're targeting trout, fishing times are more flexible.

The Arbot Beat - Two to four rods.

The Arbot Beat

This 2.2-mile-long beat has many beautiful pools sporting both trout and salmon. Peak trout fishing season is from mid-May until the end of June.

The Arbot Beat Atlantic Salmon

Trophy Atlantic Salmon

From July onward the salmon fishing can be excellent. The river is well known for its huge salmon, weighing over 30 pounds.

The Arbot Beat

Fly Fishing the Big Laxa River

Fly fishing only. All fishing is catch-and-release, using barbless hooks.

The Big Laxa - Laxa means salmon in Icelandic.

The Big Laxa

The Big Laxa is said to be the best brown trout river in Europe.

Vorduholt Lodge

A-Frame Lodge with Large Viewing Windows

You'll stay four nights at Vorduholt Lodge. The Lodge has three bedrooms with twin beds, a kitchen, a living and dining room, a deck, and a hot tub.

Adaldalur Valley

Lodge Deck with View of the Big Laxa River

The comfortable full-service lodge sits on the hillside overlooking the Big Laxa River, snow-capped mountains, and the beautiful Adaldalur Valley.
Non-angler activities:  Whale watching, visiting the Dettifoss Waterfall or Lake Myvatn, horseback riding, and river rafting.

Living Room

Living Room with leather couches and View of the River

Sample 4-Day Itinerary::
Day 1:  You’ll fly to Akureyri or Husavik. Husavik is closer but doesn’t have daily flights available. You’ll arrive at Vorduholt Lodge. You’ll fish with your guide from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Day 2-4:  You’ll fish from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Day 5:  You’ll fish from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You’ll check out of the Lodge at 2:00 p.m.

Getting to the Lodge:

You’ll fly to the Keflavik Airport. The airport is two miles west of Keflavik and 31 miles southwest of Reykjavik. The rates do not include the charter flight from Reykjavik to Big Laxa. (Approx. $525.00 - subject to change.)


2023 USD Rates:

4-nights and 4-days Unguided fishing:
April - May, 4 rods per beat
$1,125.00 per person

June 1-20, 4 rods per beat
$1,340.00 per person

June 20 - July 20, 2 rods per beat
$2,170.00 per person

July 20 - Sept. 20, 2 rods per beat
$2,824.00 per person

The Packages Include:

• Fishing license
• Accommodations at Vorduholt Lodge.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Reykjavík
• Roundtrip charter flight between
  Reykjavik and Big Laxa
  (approx. $525.00 per person)
• Fishing equipment
• Alcoholic beverages
• Gratuities
• Anything not mentioned under
  inclusions.

For More Information:

Request Big Laxa River Info Packet 

Return to . . .

Iceland main page 

Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com