Highland Fishing Lodge
Iceland
World-Class Arctic Char and Brown Trout
Fish Partner—the 2025 International Destination of the Year recognized by Orvis—offers exclusive access to Iceland trout fishing on the remote Highland rivers of Iceland. This premier Iceland fly fishing destination is renowned for wild brown trout and Arctic char thriving in glacier-fed streams shaped by lava fields, volcanic springs, and dramatic geological forces.
Often called the true heart of Iceland, the Highlands deliver a world-class fly fishing experience in crystalline rivers flowing since the Ice Age. Brown trout cruise over black volcanic sand and gravel-bottomed pools, frequently exceeding five pounds, while brilliantly colored Arctic char provide exceptional sight-fishing opportunities in pristine, untouched water.
Guided by seasoned professionals, anglers enjoy technical dry fly fishing, nymphing, and streamer fishing in some of the most exclusive and productive trout waters in Europe. Combining solitude, wilderness luxury, and trophy-class fish, this is Iceland Highland fly fishing at its finest.
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Experienced, Professional Guides
The Highland Fishing Lodge is guided by experts from Fish Partner, Iceland’s premier fly-fishing outfitter. With decades of experience, they know Iceland’s rivers, trout, and Arctic char inside and out. Guides tailor each trip to your skill level, teaching dry fly, nymph, and streamer techniques, and provide exclusive access to pristine Highland fishing lodge waters. Focus on catching trophy fish while they handle every detail for an unforgettable Iceland fly fishing experience.
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River Regulations & Fly‑Only Focus
The majority of Icelandic rivers, particularly those teeming with brown trout and Arctic char, are managed as fly‑fishing-only waters. Local fishing regulations and fishery rules often prohibit spinning on rivers to protect delicate fish populations and preserve these pristine environments. This ensures anglers experience traditional fly fishing while helping maintain the rivers’ ecological balance.
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Brown Trout – Trophy-sized fish often exceeding five pounds, found in pristine Highland rivers.
Arctic Char – Vibrantly colored, challenging to catch, adding variety to your fishing experience.
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Six bedrooms each offer two twin beds and a private sink, perfect for comfort after a day on the rivers. Guests share two well-appointed bathrooms with two toilets and three showers, providing convenience without sacrificing the lodge’s rustic charm.
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Season Dates: May 27 through August 27
Peak Fishing: June 20 through July 20
Highlights: Ideal river conditions, long daylight hours, and active brown trout and Arctic char in Iceland’s remote Highlands
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2026 USD Rates
Highland Rivers Package
Season: May 27 through August 27
Duration: 5 nights / 5 days guided fishing
Two anglers per room and guide: $6,825 per person
One angler per room and guide: $8,925 per person
Highlands & Lake Thingvallavatn Combo
Two anglers per room and guide: From $7,500 per person
One angler per room and guide: From $10,900 per person
Note: The trip begins at Lake Thingvallavatn, so tackle disinfection is required. Prices may vary on the Combo package due to higher permit and hotel rates during select
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Rods
4–6 wt single-handed rods – Ideal for trout and Arctic char in Highland rivers.
9–10 ft rods – Offer versatility for narrow canyon streams and open pools.
7 wt rod – Optional for lake fishing or using larger streamers.
Reels
Use a reel matched to rod weight with strong drag and ample backing for fighting Icelandic fish.
Bring extra spools rigged with floating and sink-tip lines for changing conditions.
Lines & Tippets
Floating lines – Used most of the time on Highland rivers.
Sink-tip lines – Helpful in deeper runs or higher water.
4–8 lb leaders and tippets – Suitable for trout and Arctic char.
No equipment is provided. A daily rental fee of $110–$120 per person covers a rod, reel, line, waders, and boots. The lodge features a gear disinfection station, and all anglers are required to disinfect their equipment before fishing in accordance with Icelandic regulations. All flies used must be new or unused.
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The lodge accommodates up to ten anglers per week.
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Fishing at the Highland Fishing Lodge is entirely on foot—no boats are used. Anglers wade rivers and fish from the banks for trophy brown trout and Arctic char, enjoying a true Icelandic Highland fly fishing experience.
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1. Arrival Day
Fly into Keflavík International Airport (KEF), located about 31 miles from Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital.
A lodge representative will pick you up from the airport or your Reykjavík hotel. (Hotel nights are not included; recommendations are provided in your confirmation packet.)
Enjoy a two-hour, 95-mile drive to the Highlands.
Check in at the lodge and head out for your first day of fishing.
2. Departure Day
After breakfast, your guide will drive you back to Reykjavík for your flight home.
From the Highlands, it’s a two-hour drive; for the Combo package, it’s a 40-minute drive from Lake Thingvallavatn.
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The Packages Include:
• Roundtrip ground transfers between Reykjavik and the Lodge
• Lodging
• Wi-Fi at the Lodge
• Meals at the Lodge
• Guided fishing
• Daily ground transfers between the fishing beats
• Fishing licenses for private waters.The Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to Reykjavik, and return
• Ground transfers in Reykjavik
• Optional lodging and meals in Reykjavik
• Alcohol
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Fishing equipment
• Equipment rental of $110-$120 per person, per day includes rod, reel, line, waders, and boots
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
Highland Fishing Lodge and Surroundings
The Highland Fishing Lodge is set in the remote Icelandic Highlands, a dramatic landscape shaped by glaciers, volcanic activity, and lava fields. Rivers such as the Tungnaa and Kaldakvísl flow through rugged canyons, moss-covered cliffs, and black volcanic sand beds, creating a pristine and otherworldly environment.
Crystal-clear streams wind past wildflowers in summer and striking geological formations that reflect Iceland’s fiery and icy past. The area remains largely untouched, offering solitude, wide-open skies, and expansive wilderness dotted with mountain ridges, waterfalls, and serene reservoirs like Spordoldulon. Trails along the rivers invite exploration, photography, or simply soaking in the scenery.
These rivers are home to wild brown trout and Arctic char, with anglers casting dry flies, nymphs, or streamers over volcanic sand and gravel pools. With unpressured waters, long summer days, and breathtaking surroundings, the Highlands provide some of Europe’s finest sight-fishing in a truly extraordinary setting.
Typical Fishing Day
9:00 a.m. – Pick-up: After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the lodge to begin the day.
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Fishing: Spend the day on the rivers, enjoying lunch streamside and the stunning Highland scenery.
Evening: Return to the lodge for a delicious dinner. Afterward, you can relax or explore nearby creeks for additional fishing.
Optional Excursions: For an extra fee, take a sightseeing trip to the Highlands’ waterfalls, canyons, glaciers, and hot springs. Depending on your guide’s schedule, enjoy a one-hour drive to Landmannalaugar, also known as the Gateway to the Highlands, and experience a thermal hot spring stream.
Main Lodge & Common Areas
You’ll stay at the Highland Fishing Lodge, a former shepherd’s house thoughtfully renovated by our outfitter in 2019. Nestled in the remote Icelandic Highlands, the lodge is just five minutes from the Tungnaa and Kaldakvisl Rivers, offering quick access to some of the region’s best trout and Arctic char fishing.
The lodge features a small living and dining area with views overlooking the Spordoldulon Reservoir, providing a relaxing space to unwind after a day on the water. Meals include a continental breakfast at the lodge, a packed sandwich lunch prepared by the chef, and hearty homestyle dinners with an Argentine influence, thanks to the lodge’s Argentinian chef. Fresh Icelandic ingredients feature prominently, from grilled lamb to Arctic char.
For alcohol, guests should bring their own if desired. Iceland has specialty liquor stores, such as Vinbud, and duty-free options at Keflavik Airport. Wine, beer, flies, and other essentials are also available at the lodge shop.
