Click to View the Full Thread

Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Fishing Forum :: Iceland fishing - anybody been there?
 
Author Message Text
SoMpls
01/19/2018 09:16AM
 
walllee: "Those huge brown trout have peaked my interest ! Has anybody fished over there, or know somebody who has ? Any info would be much appreciated."


I haven't fished but have done a fair amount of research... The general rule I found to be true is lakes = cheap, rivers = ungodly expensive. Lake fishing for Brown Trout is best in may, because they are shallower and actively feeding after winter. Probably not dissimilar to BWCA lakers.


For lakes you buy a fishing card that gives you access to 30 lakes. Info online is scarce but all of them have trout and/or char. Lake Thingvellir is the most famous, it is a huge lake and has the largest browns, up to ~25-30 lbs.


Another option, and what I would do if I ever am able to, is get a highlands fishing/camping permit. These basically allow you to hike, camp, and fish in a certain area for a week. They are pretty affordable I believe, maybe around $100 depending on where you go.
 
jeroldharter
01/12/2018 12:34AM
 
I've been there but did not fish. Brutally expensive to fish there.
 
jeroldharter
01/19/2018 10:01AM
 
@spmpls, that is good info on the fishing details. In regard to the backcountry pass for $100 keep in mind the cost of a rental vehicle. For us, a small diesel SUV (probably smaller than a Ford Escape for frame of reference) cost about $1000 per week.


Not being a downer, but there are no good deals in Iceland when you sum it up. The cost is really the only legitimate negative about traveling there. The cost of admission is extremely high. I have not yet found a more expensive place that is not far flung. For example, it might cost more to get to the Falkland Islands but on the ground, Iceland is extremely expensive. Even people I know who most would consider wealthy or at least well-to-do pack their own granola bars and snacks to save money in Iceland!


But if you are willing to camp, cook some of your own food, and pool expenses with a group, the costs can be manageable. Just really what you are getting into.
 
Mnpat
01/20/2018 06:59AM
 
I was told by a coworker/world traveler that Iceland used to be reasonable until recently. Since game of thrones was filmed there the country has been overrun by tourists. The law of supply and demand took over and prices increased 5 fold.
 
jlw034
01/20/2018 02:30PM
 
A couple photos. Both were taken right around midnight!






 
jlw034
01/20/2018 02:14PM
 
I was in Iceland a couple years ago. The wife and I went over the summer solstice, an incredible time to be there.


First, please rent a car and get away from Reykjavik. As has been said, there are so many tourists, but if you get off the beaten path there is so much beauty to see.


Fishing: I didn't get to fish as much as I wanted to as I promised my wife it wouldn't be a 'fishin trip' lol. I bought a license that gave me access to an assortment of lakes around the country, but I only fished in two of them.


The first was a mountain lake that was good 2 mile hike up. One of my favorite memories there, but we didn't catch any fish.


The second was a long 'F' road (read minimum maintenance mountain road) to a secluded lake. A father and his two daughters had a stringer full of trout, and they told me exactly where they caught them. Problem was they had waders, and were up to their hips. I had no waders, and that water was ICE just a week prior. I caught two small trout, but it was still a blast.


Best of luck to you. If you get away from the crowds, you will have the trip of a lifetime. If you have any questions, message me.
 
mastertangler
01/13/2018 08:34AM
 
jeroldharter: "I've been there but did not fish. Brutally expensive to fish there. "


Let me guess........high license fee for non residents and you must hire a government approved guide. You can't just plan your own trip?
 
jeroldharter
01/13/2018 10:00AM
 
I don't know the ins and outs. I saw very few people fishing there, even locals.


This website lists prices for guided fishing. For one guest with a guide, prices range from $1000-2000 per day, not including tip of course!


guided Iceland fishing
 
walllee
01/10/2018 08:13PM
 
Those huge brown trout have peaked my interest ! Has anybody fished over there, or know somebody who has ? Any info would be much appreciated.
 
walllee
01/13/2018 02:25PM
 
The stream fishing can be extremely expensive! There are much less expensive options out there. I am more interested in fishing the lakes that hold those special Browns. In some places you can go self guided, which is more up my alley.
 
jeroldharter
01/14/2018 10:16AM
 
We passed many lakes and I don't remember seeing anyone boat fishing. The wind on the lakes can whip up in an instant and the lake turns into a boil.
 
jeroldharter
01/16/2018 09:09AM
 
We spend two weeks in Iceland last some. Breathtaking scenery almost surpassed by breathtaking prices! Nevertheless, overrun with tourism which is a major component of their economy. Those socialists know how to cash in it would seem.


If you want a basic tourist trip on a budget, you can book everything through Icelandair. Our friends booked a 5 day trip out of Boston on Icelandair that was something like $2000 per person (I am guessing) and included flights, hotel, local tours/transportation, and most meals. Good deal for Iceland but they were one of the horde on the tour bus.


A much better approach is to spend more money of course. Renting a car and doing whatever you want. The key is to get to sites early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and then late in the afternoon after tour buses exit. Easier said than done as the tour buses are like a rat infestation.


You can also work in an Iceland stopover with Icelandair flights to Europe. Icelandair encourages stopovers.
 
mutz
01/15/2018 03:42AM
 
We drove the ring rd last June, might have seen a dozen guys fishing on a couple of rivers in the entire eleven days. I talked to some people who said figure $10.000.00 for a four or five day salmon fishing trip. Everything was expensive, we stopped in a regular (not fancy/expensive) restaurant our first night cheeseburger, fries and a beer for me, cheeseburger,fries and a coke for my wife, $70.00 for dinner. The next night a medium cheese and pepperoni pizza, two tap waters $40.00. Take a checkbook and two credit cards.
 
mastertangler
01/15/2018 10:55AM
 
Geez Louise! That's some incredible $$ to fish and have a burger. I wonder how much of that is taxes? They probably have to import a great deal of their consumables. Probably not too many cattle herds in Iceland??

Pretty place though I bet! I would like to go there or perhaps Norway.
 
Jackfish
01/16/2018 08:47AM
 
mutz: "Take a checkbook..."
Yeah, a checkbook would go over well in a foreign country. :) Checks are barely accepted in the US anymore.

We've looked into taking a vacation to Iceland, too. Can't say it's been serious looking because of the cost of being there. (Getting there is actually fairly reasonable.) There's also the thought of what there is to do once we are there.
 
mutz
01/16/2018 10:00PM
 
jeroldharter: "We spend two weeks in Iceland last some. Breathtaking scenery almost surpassed by breathtaking prices! Nevertheless, overrun with tourism which is a major component of their economy. Those socialists know how to cash in it would seem.



If you want a basic tourist trip on a budget, you can book everything through Icelandair. Our friends booked a 5 day trip out of Boston on Icelandair that was something like $2000 per person (I am guessing) and included flights, hotel, local tours/transportation, and most meals. Good deal for Iceland but they were one of the horde on the tour bus.



A much better approach is to spend more money of course. Renting a car and doing whatever you want. The key is to get to sites early in the morning before tour buses arrive, and then late in the afternoon after tour buses exit. Easier said than done as the tour buses are like a rat infestation.



You can also work in an Iceland stopover with Icelandair flights to Europe





When we did the ring road mid June it was peak tourist season, we found that once we got away from Reykjavík the bus traffic wasn’t bad and we saw very few busses for three or four of the eleven days. About half the roads are gravel and very narrow with sheep running loose all over, we came close to hitting a couple. As previously said the scenery is incredible, and the people are among the friendliest that we have encountered anywhere in our travels. Highly recommend Iceland and I would drive it again over a tour bus trip.
 
mapsguy1955
01/12/2018 06:32AM
 
My father salmon fished there twice. He loved it.