Situated on Melrakkaslétta, Hraunhafnarvatn is a prime fishing location. It is approximately 644 km from Reykjavík, accessible via Hólaheiði, and about 10 km from Raufarhöfn to Hraunhafnarvatn. The lake lies along Route 85, adjacent to the road and separated by a gravel ridge between the lake and the sea. For Æðarvatn, the road is just above the northern end, about 100 m away, with convenient parking. For those heading to Arnarvatn, it involves a considerable walk of around 500 m.
Hraunhafnarvatn is the largest lake on Melrakkaslétta, covering 3.4 km2. It reaches a depth of around 4 m and is approximately 2 m above sea level. Hraunhafnará flows into the southern end of the lake. Both Æðarvatn and Arnarvatn are smaller lakes in the vicinity.
Purchase day licenses to access different lakes in the area.
Fishing is permitted in the Skinnalón land, marked on the map. The best fishing spots in Hraunhafnarvatn are by the mill and by walking along the lake towards Hraunhafnará. In Æðarvatn, it is recommended to fish from promontories extending into the lake at various locations. The maximum depth is approximately 3 m.
Camping is allowed at your own risk on an old site by the lake, with alternative well-organized camping available in Raufarhöfn. Accommodations can also be explored at Hótel Norðurljós or at Gistihúsið Hreiður (www.nesthouse.is) in Raufarhöfn.
Hraunhafnarvatn offers both trout and char fishing. Notably, efforts to catch small char have improved the average weight of the caught fish. There is a significant population of char, with sizes reaching up to 3 pounds, and trout up to 6 pounds. Æðarvatn features fish of similar size due to the connecting stream.
Anglers can use various legal baits, including flies, worms, and spinners. The use of nets is strictly prohibited.
Fishing remains consistently good throughout the day.
Halldór Þórólfsson. Phone: 863-8468.