Stillwater · Volcanic · Norðurland eystra, IS

Mývatn

Wide panorama of Lake Mývatn, the calm open water surface with volcanic hills and lava fields beyond.
Fair · Trout
Black Ghost Zonker · 4-10
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Useful ripple, fishable wave. Worth a session if the wind holds.
49% confidence
limited data

Mývatn is often best in june september.

What moved it
  • WindSE 27 km/hModerate breeze
Today's fly
Black Ghost Zonker
Black Ghost Zonker4-10
Swing, sub-surface
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Moderate breeze
SE 27 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
Wave60 cm wave
Water temp12.8°C
Air temp12°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure999 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

How to fish it · for 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

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 — at anchor

Windy conditions suit anchoring in productive areas rather than open-water drifting.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 3 guilds as a supporter.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 5 as a supporter.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
1
Claret DunHatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Heather FlyHatch
2
2
Silverhorns & LonghornsHatch
1
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Fly box · Trout
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Check geothermal lake access and regulations
  • Some protected.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
57%
Cloud50%
Wind30%
Temp100%

A reasonable day here, though wind isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Gallery · 6
  1. Wide panorama of Lake Mývatn, the calm open water surface with volcanic hills and lava fields beyond.
    Lake Mývatn panorama
  2. The Skútustaðir pseudocraters rising from the calm surface of Lake Mývatn, Iceland.
    Pseudocraters on Lake Mývatn
  3. Broad panorama across the open water of Lake Mývatn with lava fields and mountains.
    Lake Mývatn
  4. Rootless pseudocrater cones of Skútustaðir reflected in the still water of Lake Mývatn.
    Skútustaðir cones, Lake Mývatn
  5. Panoramic view of Lake Mývatn, the calm reflective water surface and surrounding volcanic hills.
    Lake Mývatn panorama
  6. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (windy) are not ideal for this water.
  • Temperature (cool) is in the sweet spot for autumn fishing.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
Seasons & zones
  • Trout 1 June → 30 September
  • Char 1 May → 15 September

    Icelandic Arctic char (bleikja) — fishery permit controls all dates. Common season May–mid-September; exact dates issued per fishery permit. Resident lake char prime late May–mid-July; sea-run char (sjóbleikja) peak July–August. Always obtain the current fishery permit before fishing char in Iceland.

Related guides
Thermal Layers & Troutreading depth and temperatureIcelandglacial, spring-fed or runoffEuro Nymphingsubsurface methods
Booking & contacts