Iceland Brown Trout Fishing

Lake Thingvallavatn

Fly Fishing for Wild Browns

Fish Partner—our Orvis-Endorsed Outfitter and winner of the 2025 Orvis-Endorsed International Destination of the Year—guides anglers on Lake Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest natural lake at 32 square miles. Fed by nutrient-rich geothermal springs, this vast and fertile water body provides an ideal habitat for some of the world’s largest wild native brown trout, with fish reaching staggering weights of up to 36 pounds.

Located only a 40-minute drive from Reykjavik, Lake Thingvallavatn offers convenient access while delivering an extraordinary trophy-trout experience. Anglers can expect a blend of sight-fishing, streamer casting, and technical presentations to massive browns that cruise the lake’s crystal-clear shallows. The surrounding volcanic landscape and glassy water create a dramatic backdrop for pursuing these legendary fish.

2026 Rates start at $5,750 USD per person for 4 nights / 4 days of guided fishing

Lake Thingvallavatn

Lake Thingvallavatn lies along the North Atlantic Ridge, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates separated from each other. Canyons and fissures mark the National Park's landscape and cut the lake bottom in many places, reaching a depth of 377 feet at the deepest point, and an average depth of 111 feet.
The lake's catchment area is 90 percent underground, and the water from thousands of cold springs has a constant temperature of 37 to 39'F. The spring water is filtered through layers of the surrounding lava, making the lake gin clear and large browns averaging 8 pounds easy to spot. Three out of five of Iceland's freshwater fish species live in this lake—brown trout, Arctic char, and the three-spine stickleback.
Season: April 15 - September 15.

Exclusive Beats:

Six Exclusive Beats: The outfitter has exclusive fishing rights on six beats at Lake Thingvallavatn, where anglers can target brown trout weighing up to 36 pounds using streamers. Many 20-pounders are landed during peak fishing from mid-May to mid-June.

Guided Hours: You're guided up to 10 hours each day. Each beat has a designated season and a limit of two to six rods. All fishing is catch-and-release.
Travel Time: The beats are a 5 to 30-minute drive from the hotel.

Typical Fishing Day
The schedule is flexible. You’re guided for up to 10 hours each day. After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at 9:00 a.m. and drive you to the fishing area. You’ll fish between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., returning to the hotel for dinner.

The Fishing Program:

Lake Thingvallavatn in Iceland is renowned for its unique species of brown trout that are indigenous to the lake. Thingvallavatn browns can grow to impressive sizes, often surpassing 20 pounds, thanks to the lake's abundant food supply and the absence of significant predators.

Fishing Hours: Fishing hours are flexible, with a 10-hour limit per day.
Guides: Two anglers per knowledgeable, English-speaking guide.
Equipment: No equipment or flies are supplied. A rental fee of $110 to $120 per person per day includes a rod, reel, line, waders, and boots. If you bring your own gear, you'll need to disinfect it before you leave for Iceland, or a fee may apply upon arrival at KEF Airport. All flies must either be new or unused.
Equipment Recommendations: Heavy tackle is recommended. 6 to 9-weight rods and at least 12-pound leaders. Floating lines are most common, but intermediate and sink-tips can also be used. Streamers are effective; dry flies and nymphs work in the right conditions.

Fishing License: A license is included in the package.
Beats: Fish Partner offers access to an unrivaled collection of premium beats around Lake Thingvallavatn, each with its own character and potential for trophy trout and char.

Villingavatnsaros Beat - One of the World's Best

Two Anglers with Bright Browns from Villingavatn

Villingavatnsaros (meaning the mouth of the river Villingavatnsa) is one of the greatest brown trout beats in the world. The beat offers the opportunity to catch the giant ice-age brown trout on small nymphs and dry flies. Streamers work great. The beat has a two-rod limit. Some hiking is required.

Villingavatn Beat

Angler with Brown Trout From Villingavatn

Villingavatn: A smaller lake connected directly to Thingvallavatn, offering consistent action throughout the season. Giant browns enter Villingavatn to feed, and fish of extraordinary size can be caught here from opening day through autumn.

The Kaldarhofdi Beat

Kaldarhofdi Beat
Fly and Spin Fishing - the Kaldarhofdi is the only beat in our Iceland packages that allows spin fishing.
This beat is in the southernmost part of Lake Thingvallavatn, where River Sog flows out of the lake. The beat also stretches south into Lake Ulfljotsvatn.
Excellent for Arctic char fishing, especially in June through August. Six to ten rods are permitted on this beat. Some hiking is required.

Kárastaðir Beat

Deep crevasses, volcanic shelves, and structure-rich water where the biggest browns hunt. The Beat is fished from April 20 through September 15, with peak fishing in May and June. This beat is on the north end of Lake Thingvallavatn, where River Oxara, the brown trout’s main spawning stream, runs into the lake. Giant browns travel in groups and are often circling the beat. Submerged lava fissures and cold spring upwellings create ideal spawning habitat within the lake. A 40-inch brown weighing around 30 pounds was landed here. Only four rods are fished at a time.

ION Beats

ION Beat Ölfusvatnsárós: Where the Ölfusvatnsá river flows into Lake Thingvallavatn, creating a powerful confluence that brown trout use as a migration and feeding corridor. In peak times, fish gather here in astonishing numbers.
ION Beat Þorsteinsvík: A secluded geothermal bay where warm spring water bubbles into the lake, creating ideal feeding and resting grounds. Browns and char patrol these warmer pockets aggressively, offering close-quarter encounters in a surreal volcanic landscape.

Mike Sadar's Trip:

"Fishing was slow, but the size was big. Both Chris and I landed six apiece, with mine being at 5, 11, 11, 14, 17, and 21 pounds. Chris had a similar size. We caught these fish in deep holes in the lake using super-long tippets (25 feet). Plan to go back." - Mike Sadar.

Chris Lusin with Large Brown

Hotel Accommodations

For this package, you'll enjoy breakfast and dinner at the hotel and a boxed lunch while fishing. For guests seeking something more upscale, Fishpartner now offers stays at the ION Adventure Hotel, perched atop the volcanic ridge overlooking Thingvellir. Known for its award-winning architecture, exceptional restaurant, spa access, and striking views — this is the premium way to experience Iceland’s most historic landscape.

Villingavatnsaros Beat

ION Adventure Hotel

Bedroom at the ION Adventure Hotel

For the Lake Thingvallavatn Iceland package, you'll

Getting to the Hotel and Trip Start:

Arrival Day: You will fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), located approximately 31 miles from Reykjavík (pronounced Ray-ka-vik), Iceland’s capital and largest city. A Lodge representative will greet you at the airport. Depending on your arrival time, you’ll be driven directly to your fishing location for the day or to the hotel, which is 60 miles, about a 1.5-hour drive from the airport. Check-in at the hotel is available from 3:00 p.m. (earlier if possible).
Departure Day: After breakfast, your guide will drive you back to Reykjavik for your return flight home—a 1.5-hour drive from the hotel.

2026 USD Rates:

Lake Thingvallavatn:
Season: April 27 - Sept. 15, 2026:

The packages below are examples; all trips can be fully customized.
Packages are 4 nights / 4 days guided fishing

Spring Package - April 27 – May 1
• Days 1-2: ION Beats
• Day 3: Beat 3A
• Day 4: Villingavatn
Depart on May 1
2 anglers start at $6,825 per person
1 angler starts at $10,250

Mid-Summer Package - July 12-16
• Day 1: Villingavatn
• Days 2-3: ION Beats
• Day 4: Beat 3A & Villingavatn
Depart on July 16
2 anglers start at $6,300 per person
1 angler starts at $9,600

Late Summer-Fall Package - September 11–15
• Day 1: Villingavatn
• Days 2-3: ION Beats
• Day 4: Beat 3A
Depart on Sept. 15
2 anglers start at $5,750 per person
1 angler starts at $9,050

Highland Rivers and Lake Thingvallavatn Combo:
Season: May 25 - August 27
5 nights / 5 days guided fishing
(3 days at Highland Rivers and 2 days at the Lake)
Two anglers per room and guide:
From $7,500 per person
One angler per room and guide:
From $10,900 per person
Click here for the Highland Rivers page.

*Prices may vary depending on higher permit and hotel rates during select seasons.

Request a Lake Thingvallavatn
Information Packet.

The Packages Include:

• Roundtrip ground transfers between Reykjavík and the hotel
• Ground transfers to daily fishing beats
• 5 days guided fishing
• Fishing license
• All meals for fishing days
• 4 nights hotel lodging
• Wi-Fi at the hotel.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Reykjavík, Iceland, and return
Optional ground transfers, lodging, and meals in Reykjavik
• Fishing equipment
• Optional fishing equipment rental, $110-$120 p.p. per day
• Alcohol
• Gratuities to guides and staff
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.