Shallow volcanic lake famous for enormous midge hatches and superb brown trout fishing. Arctic char also present. The name literally means 'midge lake'. Prime June–August.
Rules at a glance
- Free fishing
- Fly only
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
40% confidence — limited data
This venue is often best in june september.
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Wind
SE 16 km/h
Gentle breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
1°C
Cloud
Broken
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
How to fish · for brown trout
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Through the Icelandic season — late May through October. Mývatn's browns feed heavily on the famous midge swarms (the lake is named for the midge — "midge lake"); midsummer hatches are extraordinary.
Where
Drift lines along the shoreline reefs and around the inflow streams. Mývatn is shallow with extensive weed and lava structure — fish on and around it.
Method
Drift on a floater with small wets and midge patterns; dries to surface-feeding fish on the calmer days. Drogue on the bigger drifts.
Kit
10 ft #6/7 boat rod; floating and slow-intermediate lines; 5 to 6 lb fluoro tippet — Mývatn browns are big but the gin-clear water demands fine. Drogue and a long-handled net.
Today's tactical plan
The plan
Plan A · Plan B · what to watch · bank or boat
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
1
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
6 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
The factors driving today's verdict
Why this score
- late spring conditions with mixed skies and breezy wind.
Detail · next 12h
Precipitation
The reading most likely to move tomorrow's verdict
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Mývatn · profile
Who this water suits
Strengths · watch-outs · best for
About this water
Mývatn, on the water
Field guide · contributor-editedMývatn · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Shallow volcanic lake famous for enormous midge hatches and superb brown trout fishing. Arctic char also present. The name literally means 'midge lake'. Prime June–August.
- Lake
- Volcanic
Mývatn · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Mývatn · zones
Where the rules change
Seasons · zones · per-species rules
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 June → 30 September
- Char1 May → 15 September
Mývatn · permits
Licences, sorteo, the rules
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Check geothermal lake access and regulations
- Some protected.
Mývatn
Google Places
Shallow volcanic lake famous for enormous midge hatches and superb brown trout fishing.
Species
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
40% confidence — limited data
This venue is often best in june september.
Conditions
Wind
SE 16 km/h
Gentle breeze
Wave
20 cm ripple
Water temp
—
No reading
Air temp
1°C
Cloud
Broken
Pressure
—
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.
Condition match
65%
Cloud70%
Wind65%
Temp60%
A reasonable day here, though temperature isn't quite in the sweet spot.
How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Through the Icelandic season — late May through October. Mývatn's browns feed heavily on the famous midge swarms (the lake is named for the midge — "midge lake"); midsummer hatches are extraordinary.
Where
Drift lines along the shoreline reefs and around the inflow streams. Mývatn is shallow with extensive weed and lava structure — fish on and around it.
Method
Drift on a floater with small wets and midge patterns; dries to surface-feeding fish on the calmer days. Drogue on the bigger drifts.
Kit
10 ft #6/7 boat rod; floating and slow-intermediate lines; 5 to 6 lb fluoro tippet — Mývatn browns are big but the gin-clear water demands fine. Drogue and a long-handled net.
The plan
Plan A
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
Plan B
If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.
Watch for
Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.
Boat — drift
A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.
Why this score
- late spring conditions with mixed skies and breezy wind.
Through the year
0–3 scale · May highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
1
Large Dark OliveHatch
1
2
2
1
March BrownHatch
1
2
1
Iron BlueHatch
1
2
2
1
Blue Winged OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
1
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Check geothermal lake access and regulations
- Some protected.
Directions
About this water
Shallow volcanic lake famous for enormous midge hatches and superb brown trout fishing. Arctic char also present. The name literally means 'midge lake'. Prime June–August.
- Lake
- Volcanic
Seasons & zones
- Trout1 June → 30 September
- Char1 May → 15 September
About this water · Lough note · 4 min read
Shallow volcanic lake famous for enormous midge hatches and superb brown trout fishing. Arctic char also present. The name literally means 'midge lake'. Prime June–August.
Other water nearby · 3
Booking & contacts