Location
- Coordinates: 66° 31.145'N, 16° 6.131'W
- Daily Fishing Hours: Allowed all day long
- Fishing Season: From May 1st to August 31st
Getting There from Reykjavík
- Distance: Approximately 644 km from Reykjavík via Hólaheiði and 10 km from Raufarhöfn to Hraunhafnarvatn. The lake is situated by national road 85. Hraunhafnarvatn is by the road, adjacent to the lake on a gravel patch between the water and the sea. For those heading to Arnarvatn, it requires a considerable walk or around 500 m.
About the Lake
- Hraunhafnarvatn is the largest lake in Melrakkaslétta, covering 3.4 km². It reaches a depth of about 4 meters and sits 2 meters above sea level. Hraunhafnará river flows into the southern end of the lake. Æðarvatn and Arnarvatn are smaller lakes nearby.
Day Licenses
Individual day licenses for fishing in Æðarvatn can be purchased.
Fishing Area
- Fishing is allowed in the land of Skinnalón, marked on the map. The best fishing spots in Hraunhafnarvatn are by the mill and by walking towards Hraunhafnará. In Æðarvatn, it is recommended to fish from jetties extending into the lake at various locations. The maximum depth is approximately 3 meters.
Accommodation
- Camping is allowed at your own risk in an old sheep pen by the lake. There is also a well-organized camping site in Raufarhöfn. Additionally, accommodations can be checked at Hótel Norðurljós and Gistihúsið Hreiður (www.nesthouse.is) in Raufarhöfn.
Fish Species and Bait
- Fish: The lakes are home to Arctic char and brown trout. Recent efforts have been made to control small char, increasing the average weight of caught fish. Both lakes have char weighing up to 3 pounds and trout that can reach up to 6 pounds.
- Bait: All legal baits such as flies, worms, and spinners are allowed.
Best Fishing Times
- Fishing is consistently good throughout the day.
Rules and Regulations
- Holders of the Fishing Card must have the card and identification ready for inspection.
- Littering and off-road driving are strictly prohibited.
- Children under 14 years old fish for free when accompanied by a cardholder.
- Anglers are encouraged to send catch information via email to veidikortid@veidikortid.is.
Fishing Warden
Halldór Þórólfsson: 863-8468.
