01 ·
Laxa i Myvatnsveit
Trout
Europe · Fishing World Guide
Iceland.
Fishing in Iceland 2026 — Licenses, Regulations & Best Spots
9
target species
Yes
license needed
May–Sep
best season
Scroll
Do you need a license?
License
Yes.
20-50 EUR for inland waters; up to 1,000 EUR for salmon licenses
›All license details
- Where to apply?
- Online at veidikortid.is or on site
- Cost
- 20-50 EUR for inland waters; up to 1,000 EUR for salmon licenses
- Validity
- Depending on duration; annual permit for approx. 30 lakes and rivers
- Available online?
- Yes
Rod fishing maximum 12 hours per day from 7:00 AM to sunset permitted. Bait fishing, fly fishing and spin fishing on lakes allowed.
When to go?
The season at a glance.
Best season
May to end of September for trout; June to August for salmon; July and August best salmon season
Where to fish?
The top waters.
02 ·
Veidivötn
Lake Areaca. 30 km northeast of Landmannalaugar
03 ·
Vatnsdalsá
Salmon
04 ·
Nordurá
Salmon
05 · Flateyri and Sudureyri
Westfjords
Sea fishing
What's biting?
Your target species.
›+1 more species
Saithe/Pollock
The rules.
Four things you need to know.
Closed seasons
Closed seasons
Trout/char: May to end of September; Salmon: mid-June to end of August (best time: last two weeks of July and first two weeks of August); some trout rivers from April
Catch limits
Catch limits
No specific catch limits stated
Prohibited methods
Prohibited methods
Spin fishing on salmon rivers and trout rivers not permitted
Catch & release
Catch & release
Not stated
What does it cost?
20-50 €
License
20-50 EUR for annual inland fishing permit; up to 1,000 EUR for daily salmon fishing licenses
—
Guide per day
Not stated
20-50 €
Daily budget
Daily fishing on inland waters: approx. 20-50 EUR; Salmon fishing: up to 1,000 EUR per day
Bite times
The best fishing times — free.
Best fishing times
·Iceland64.96°, -19.02°
🎣 Live catches in island
2 verified catches
Not enough data (2 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
Plan your trip.
Everything in one place.
Fishing trips in Iceland
Curated tours & charters with price and click data from our partner dashboards.
View all trips (1)
Trip types in Iceland
All the details
The fine print.
License in detail
Online at veidikortid.is or on site — Rod fishing maximum 12 hours per day from 7:00 AM to sunset permitted. Bait fishing, fly fishing and spin fishing on lakes allowed.
Rules in detail
Mandatory disinfection of all fishing gear upon entry! Prevents introduction of diseases. Gear must be certified as disinfected.
Freshwater
Lakes and rivers with trout, char, salmon, eels and sticklebacks
Saltwater
Westfjords and northern Iceland with cod, catfish, haddock and halibut
Equipment
Sea fishing: Heavy jigs 350-700 grams, jig heads 300-600 grams with soft plastics and twister tails, 30 lb rod, high-quality multiplier reel
Guides
No specific details
Getting there
Boat license required since 2012 in Icelandic territorial waters
Safety
Disinfection requirement for fishing gear at home or for a fee upon arrival; boots and waders must also be disinfected
Customs & fish export
Fishing gear must be disinfected; boat license required for boat fishing
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All information without guarantee. Always check with the official local authorities. Not legal advice. Last updated: March 26, 2026
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