Norðurá is a salmon river in Borgarfjörður that Hafrannsóknastofnun says runs 60 km from Holtavörðuvatn to the Hvítá; the 90 km figure is the combined length of fish-accessible river sections in its catchment. The institute recorded 1,703 salmon in 2024 and 1,150 in 2025. Hafrannsóknastofnun (source checked 2026-11-10) catchment (source checked 2026-11-10) 2024 (source checked 2026-11-10) 2025 (source checked 2026-11-10)
How long is Norðurá: 60, 62 or 90 km?
Hafrannsóknastofnun gives the Norðurá as 60 km from Holtavörðuvatn, Veiðiheimar says about 62 km from the sea, and the 90 km figure is, per the institute, the combined length of fish-accessible river sections in the 518 km2 catchment. The three figures measure different things and are not merged here. Hafrannsóknastofnun (source checked 2026-11-10) catchment (source checked 2026-11-10) Veiðiheimar (source checked 2026-11-10)
Norðurá length figures by source| Figure | Source | What it describes |
|---|
| 60 km | Hafrannsóknastofnun report (source checked 2026-11-10) | The river from Holtavörðuvatn down Norðurárdalur to the Hvítá |
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| About 62 km | Veiðiheimar listing (source checked 2026-11-10) | The river from Holtavörðuvatn, measured from the sea |
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| About 90 km | Hafrannsóknastofnun catchment (source checked 2026-11-10) | Combined length of fish-accessible river sections in the catchment, not the main river |
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How many salmon are caught in Norðurá?
Hafrannsóknastofnun recorded 1,703 salmon in Norðurá in 2024, almost equal to the long-term average, and 1,150 in 2025, of which 221 were landed. Each total belongs to its own season, so neither predicts a day’s result. 2024 catch (source checked 2026-11-10) 2025 catch (source checked 2026-11-10)
The institute also says Norðurá is among the greatest salmon-fishing rivers in Iceland, with an average catch of 1,707 salmon a year for 1985 to 2023. Hafrannsóknastofnun (source checked 2026-11-10)
Is visiting Norðurá the same as booking a fishing permit?
The Veiðiheimar listing says all salmon of 70 cm and larger should be released, that the quota is decided by the Angling Club of Norðurá at any given time, and that the fishing area changes during the season. The listing prints no season year, and the sources used do not say who issues permits. Veiðiheimar (source checked 2026-11-10)
The Veiðiheimar directory carries no season year, and its summary line “No quota” differs from the rules paragraph below it. That is a reason to request the current permit conditions rather than rely on a copied season summary. Veiðiheimar listing (source checked 2026-11-10)