One of East Iceland's salmon rivers, alongside the better-known Lagarfljót system. Volcanic bedrock underlies this river. Iceland's salmon are managed conservatively under operator and national rules — quotas, size limits and catch-and-release are widely applied; check the river's rules before fishing.
Breiddalsa runs the length of Breiddalur, the largest of the Eastfjord valleys, taking shape high in the mountains where the Tinnudalsa, the Sudurdalssa and the Nordurdalssa meet, and running out to the sea at Breiddalsvik. It is a medium river of clear, cold volcanic water through a broad, grassy, mountain-walled dale — handsome enough that it is often called one of the loveliest rivers in Iceland to fish. The bed is the dark basalt rock and gravel of the eastern fjords, the flow gathered from the high streams. It grows good fish: an unusually high proportion of two- and three-sea-winter salmon, with fish over ten kilos taken most years among a long-run average near eight hundred. The character is freestone pool-and-riffle water on a moderate gradient. Wading is secure on firm volcanic rock and gravel through the open valley reaches.
Wading: Firm but uneven volcanic rock
- Volcanic
- Partly confined
- Pool riffle