Jökulsá á Dal river in Iceland sees record salmon catches amid fishing season changes

The Jökulsá á Dal river, once a glacial river with murky waters, has transformed into one of Iceland’s premier salmon fishing rivers. This summer marked an unprecedented surge in salmon catches, with a record number of fish being caught.

Fishing in the Jökla section was suspended recently due to significant meltwater caused by temperatures soaring to 18 degrees Celsius. The snow that fell earlier melted quickly, signaling the end of the fishing season in Jökla. As the Hálslón reservoir approaches full capacity, glacial waters will resume flowing into the river as they did prior to the dam’s construction. However, fishing continues in the river’s tributaries, where efforts led by Þröstur Elliðason have focused on cultivating the salmon population over the past 17 years. Notably, the Kaldá tributary features a breeding pool teeming with salmon.

This summer, anglers caught around 1,140 salmon in Jökla and its side rivers, with over 200 measuring more than 80 centimeters. Fish released back into the river are contributing to a thriving ecosystem, despite initial concerns about the potential ecological impact of glacial runoff.

Efforts to introduce a substantial number of salmon fry have proven successful, enhancing the river’s sustainability while reducing the need for fish releases. Þröstur Elliðason, managing director of the fishing service Strengir, notes that the river is now recognized as one of the best in the country for salmon fishing.

The fishing area stretches approximately 60-70 kilometers, with new fishing spots being explored each year, making this an exciting time for enthusiasts and conservationists alike.