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metres, is no doubt the one best stocked with fish, and besides char 
and trout there are thought to be two other species, called locally 
“Murta“ and “Depla“. Up to the present, however, these two varieties 
have not been definitely classified. Some experts think they may prove 
to be no more than char at immature state of development. From 
80000 up to 200000 fish are taken out of the Thingvallavatn every 
year, while the annual catch of fresh water fish, over the whole 
country, rarely exceeds half a million, 
Arnarvatn, which is the largest of the group of lakes called West 
ern Fiskivétn, is a great deal beiter for rod fishing than the Thing- 
vallavatn, although it is much smaller and not half so well stocked 
with fish as the other. 
The Eastern Fiskivstn or VeiBivstn are also said to afford very 
good fishing, but they are more difficult of approach than most other 
lakes in Iceland; nevertheless, some of the farmers from the nearest 
districts net several of them. 
During the last few years about 40 hatcheries, both for salmon and 
char, have been put up in various places.