A thorough introduction to popular rankings of smelt fishing nationwide and recommended ice/dome boat tours for beginners!
On this page, we will introduce the Japanese winter tradition “ Smelt fishing (Wakasagi fishing) ” special feature on the experience tour!
Nationwide reservation popularity ranking We will also provide useful information for booking smelt fishing experience tours, such as how to fish for smelt, tips, tools and bait, and clothing to protect yourself from the cold.
Popular spots such as Kanto, Koshinetsu, Hokkaido and Tohoku "Have fun fishing and eat deliciously" Smelt fishing Please enjoy!
table of contents
- 1 Ranking of popular smelt fishing experience tours nationwide
- 2 Popular spot for smelt fishing
- 3 The charm of smelt fishing
- 4 Smelt fishing season/time
- 5 Types of smelt fishing experience tours
- 6 How to fish for smelt and tips
- 7 Smelt fishing equipment
- 8 Smelt fishing clothes
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions about Smelt Fishing
- 10 Feature articles recommended by the editorial department
Ranking of popular smelt fishing experience tours nationwide
First of all, based on the latest reservation data from Activity Japan, Nationwide Smelt fishing Experience tour popularity ranking I will introduce.
You can enjoy ice fishing for smelt. Hokkaido " and the popular Kanto-Koshinetsu spot " Lake Yamanaka, Yamanashi " Plans such as this are ranked.
Tour contents and fees (prices), Check out the reviews and testimonials Please use this to help you compare plans.
- 4.6
- (33 reviews and experiences)
About 30 to 45 minutes by car from central Sapporo, experience smelt fishing on ice, which is currently attracting attention at the very popular spot [Ibarado River]! Transportation from Sapporo Station is included, and all tools are available for rental, so feel free to join us. Please wear warm clothing as this is an outdoor activity. The guide will make tempura of the smelt you caught on the spot, so you can enjoy it. with food
- 5.0
- (1 review / experience)
★Private tent plan★ Enjoy your time with a private tent for each group♪ [Challenge yourself from drilling holes to catching fish and making tempura!] ★Can you complete the missions of the smelt fishing master?! ★Enjoy three missions☆This plan is suitable for everyone, from small children to adults, and will allow you to make memories with the fishing master♪ While completing the missions, you can also enjoy the real
- 4.7
- (78 reviews and experiences)
How about fishing for smelt on a small dome boat that doesn't require a boat license? You can reserve it for a small group and enjoy it at your own pace. The small dome ship is equipped with an engine, so you can move freely and easily! You can fish at any point you like. You can enjoy fishing comfortably while staying out of the wind, rain, and snow. Last return will be at 2pm. The engine cannot be used during freezing conditions.
- 4.5
- (34 reviews and experiences)
Let's go fishing for smelt at Lake Yamanaka! This is a course with a hand-wound rental rod and a gimmick. (Electric rental rods are also available as an option) *Feed will be charged an additional 100 yen on-site. Enjoy up to 6 hours from 7:00 to 13:00. Please apply for your desired boarding time when making a reservation (you can disembark at any time you like on site). Coro below
- 4.6
- (8 reviews / experiences)
Make a hole in the frozen lake and set a gimmick! With just this, all you have to do is pull the thread when you eat. Let the guide handle the troublesome drilling, feeding, and setting of gimmicks! If you learn a little trick, both beginners and children can feel free to experience it! After fishing, fry it on the spot and make it into tempura! Freshly fried hot and fresh on the spot you caught is exceptional!
セール開催中！【平日限定割引有】【手ぶらOK、初心者歓迎】暖かいドーム船でSmelt fishing（3時間プラン）
- 4.0
- (66 reviews/testimonials)
★釣り道具やエサもコミコミ！暖房・トイレも完備の快適なドーム船で、手ぶらで気軽にSmelt fishingを楽しんでみませんか？★注意事項ドーム船への移動は、基本的に小型モーターボート(約5分)です、天候不良の日Suchは水しぶきSuchあがります※雨天時は、送迎の小型モーターボートに屋根がない為、必要な方はカッパ・傘を
[Yamanashi / Yamanakako] Wakasagi fishing dome ship 3 hours short plan Rental rod free (^^ ♪
- 3.9
- (10 reviews / experiences)
You can enjoy a safe, secure and comfortable smelt fishing experience at Lake Yamanaka, which is the closest to Mt. Fuji. ``Popular with beginners and women too!'' ``While looking at Mt. Fuji'' ``Enjoy without bringing anything.'' We will provide kind and thorough lectures for beginners. Please note that this plan is limited to weekdays and is not reserved for private use, but rather a shared ride. The standard age for boarding is 5 years or older and 80 years old.
- 5.0
- (16 reviews and experiences)
About 50 minutes from the center of Sapporo city, you can enjoy smelt fishing experience in the ponds and lakes of the Ishikari River system. In the era of with corona, it is necessary to avoid fishing methods that are densely packed in a tent of about 1 tsubo with shared seats, trace the new Hokkaido guidelines and Go To travel, and at the same time provide the enjoyment of winter without hesitation. increase. So, on the ice with the customer
- 3.9
- (13 reviews / experiences)
We have a complete set of rods and bait, so you can enjoy fishing as much as you like. Please come empty-handed. It is also easily accessible, just a 5-minute walk from the station. The caught smelt is deliciously cooked in tempura! Freshly made tempura is exceptional! *We will cook tempura for 600 yen per plate (about 15 pieces)! (Payable locally)
- 3.8
- (11 reviews / experiences)
We have introduced a new smelt fishing dome boat at Lake Yamanaka. Let's fish for smelt on a shiny and beautiful dome boat! It's an empty-handed plan that comes with everything you need including a rod, tackle, bait, and something to take home that you can easily experience in 2 to 3 hours. We will also give you free ice and Ziploc bags to take home, so please feel free to join us.
Popular spot for smelt fishing
" Smelt fishing Where can I enjoy it? "or" Where are the famous spots for smelt fishing in Japan? I think there are many people who are looking for smelt fishing spots.
Smelt fishing It is mainly held in the winter in the Kanto, Koshinetsu and northern areas. will be done.
From here, we will introduce “ Ranking of popular spots for smelt fishing experience tours ” to see popular spots.
Ranking of popular spots for smelt fishing experience tours
|
The first place
|
Lake Yamanaka/Oshino (Yamanashi) |
|---|---|
|
2nd place
|
Hakodate, Onuma, Matsumae (Hokkaido) |
|
3rd place
|
Sapporo (Hokkaido) |
|
4th place
|
Nozawa, Kijimadaira, Akiyamago, Madarao, Kurohime (Nagano) |
|
5th place
|
Furano, Biei, Tomamu (Hokkaido) |
|
6th place
|
Azumino/Omachi (Nagano) |
|
7th place
|
Urabandai/Bandai Highlands (Fukushima) |
|
8th place
|
Shiretoko, Abashiri, Kitami (Hokkaido) |
|
9th place
|
Obihiro/Tokachi (Hokkaido) |
|
10th place
|
Ishikari, Sorachi, Chitose (Hokkaido) |
Lake Yamanaka is the No. 1 smelt fishing spot in Kanto-Koshinetsu!
It is one of the Fuji Five Lakes. Lake Yamanaka, Yamanashi represents the Kanto-Koshinetsu region. Smelt fishing spot is.
In the best location overlooking the world heritage site, Mt. Fuji “Dome boat smelt fishing” experience tour held It has been.
usual year The season for smelt fishing is from the opening of the fishing season in September until around April in early spring. This means that winter is the most popular season.
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Hokkaido has many famous spots for ice fishing for smelt!
A mecca for winter sports Hokkaido There are many famous spots for smelt fishing scattered throughout the vast area of doing.
Good access from Sapporo Ponds and river lakes in the Ishikari River system, Lake Shinotsu in Shinshinotsu Village, Lake Kanayama in the Furano area, Onuma Quasi-National Park in Hakodate, etc. is a particularly popular spot.
rare in Japan There are many spots where you can enjoy ice fishing for smelt. This is also the reason why it is gaining popularity.
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The charm of smelt fishing
The event is held at lakes and ponds all over Japan. Smelt fishing (Wakasagi fishing) ".
The various experience tours held mainly in the winter are suitable for everyone from small children to the elderly. A very popular outdoor leisure activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. is.
Compared to general fishing (sea fishing, mountain stream fishing, etc.), The appeal of this fishing tackle is that it is lightweight and easy to handle, making it easy for even beginners to fish. ..
In addition, we also had the opportunity to eat the smelt that we had caught ourselves. It can be cooked and eaten as tempura or fried chicken. This is also a reason for its popularity.
Smelt fishing season/time
It is known as a typical outdoor leisure activity in winter in Japan. Smelt fishing (Wakasagi fishing) ".
Cold temperature Demand is highest from January to March For this reason, it is an outdoor leisure activity that has a strong winter image.
but, At spots such as Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture, the season lasts from autumn (early September) to early spring (early May). is the opening season for smelt fishing.
In areas such as Hokkaido and parts of Honshu where the lake surface freezes over due to the low temperatures, you can enjoy drilling holes in the ice. Smelt fishing on ice " was held.
In ice-free lakes (lakes that do not freeze even in winter), such as Lake Yamanaka in Yamanashi Prefecture, there are " Dome ship smelt fishing " will be held.
Types of smelt fishing experience tours
Smelt fishing The experience tour is as follows: There are two main types It can be divided into
- Smelt fishing on ice
- Dome ship smelt fishing
In the following, Features and recommended plans held at popular spots nationwide We will introduce you to the following:
Smelt fishing on ice
What is ice smelt fishing? How to have fun by drilling holes in the frozen lake surface is.
It is held only in areas where the winter temperature is below freezing, and is mainly held in Japan. Hokkaido and some areas of Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu You can enjoy it at.
Recommended Plans
- 5.0
- (16 reviews and experiences)
About 50 minutes from the center of Sapporo city, you can enjoy smelt fishing experience in the ponds and lakes of the Ishikari River system. In the era of with corona, it is necessary to avoid fishing methods that are densely packed in a tent of about 1 tsubo with shared seats, trace the new Hokkaido guidelines and Go To travel, and at the same time provide the enjoyment of winter without hesitation. increase. So, on the ice with the customer
- 5.0
- (1 review / experience)
★Private tent plan★ Enjoy your time with a private tent for each group♪ [Challenge yourself from drilling holes to catching fish and making tempura!] ★Can you complete the missions of the smelt fishing master?! ★Enjoy three missions☆This plan is suitable for everyone, from small children to adults, and will allow you to make memories with the fishing master♪ While completing the missions, you can also enjoy the real
[Hokkaido/Minamifurano] Frozen smelt fishing at Lake Kanayama! Half-day trial course
- 4.5
- (2 reviews / experiences)
You can experience frozen smelt fishing in the middle of winter at Lake Kanayama in Minamifurano Town, in the middle of Hokkaido. We will take you on a sled from the front of Lake Kanayama campsite to a warm tent on the lake. Experienced guides will teach you fishing tips, so even beginners can fish with confidence.
Dome ship smelt fishing
Dome boat smelt fishing is a fully equipped facility with heating and toilets. How to enjoy a private boat that protects you from the wind and rain is.
Yamanashi, Lake Yamanaka, etc. mentioned above Dome boat smelt fishing is mainstream on many lakes in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region. It becomes.
Recommended Plans
- 4.7
- (78 reviews and experiences)
How about fishing for smelt on a small dome boat that doesn't require a boat license? You can reserve it for a small group and enjoy it at your own pace. The small dome ship is equipped with an engine, so you can move freely and easily! You can fish at any point you like. You can enjoy fishing comfortably while staying out of the wind, rain, and snow. Last return will be at 2pm. The engine cannot be used during freezing conditions.
- 4.5
- (34 reviews and experiences)
Let's go fishing for smelt at Lake Yamanaka! This is a course with a hand-wound rental rod and a gimmick. (Electric rental rods are also available as an option) *Feed will be charged an additional 100 yen on-site. Enjoy up to 6 hours from 7:00 to 13:00. Please apply for your desired boarding time when making a reservation (you can disembark at any time you like on site). Coro below
- 4.8
- (8 reviews / experiences)
Speaking of winter, smelt fishing and the deliciousness of freshly caught fish are exceptional! Although the smelt is a small fish, the tingling response is very interesting! Feel free to enjoy from adults to children. You can fish on a dome boat at Lake Kisaki in Nagano Prefecture. The dome protects against snow, rain, and wind, so it's comfortable even in the cold winter.
How to fish for smelt and tips
" Smelt fishing Is it difficult? "or" Can beginners catch smelt? I think there are many people who have such concerns.
Smelt, once you get the hang of it Even beginners can catch a big catch on the same day. The simplicity is also appealing.
From here, How to fish smelt and tips I will explain.
1. Feed the gimmick needle
Put a whole piece of food on the needle. The point is to put out a little food from the needle.
2. Drop the device to the bottom of the water
Smelts live in deep water and do not move much, so drop the needles on the bottom.
3. Move to lure the smelt
Use a snap of your wrist to operate it in small increments, moving it up and down and pausing for 3 to 5 seconds, then repeating the process.
4. Grasp the feeling of Atari
When the smelt bites the bait, the tip of the rod will move or be pushed down.
This is called "Atari". When you get a hit, lift the reel and hook the hook into the smelt's mouth.
5. Wind up the thread
If the awase is successful, we will wind the thread on the reel. After fishing, remove the needle from the mouth of the smelt and put it in a bucket.
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Smelt fishing equipment
Next, Smelt fishing fishing gear used for I will explain about it.
The main tools needed to enjoy smelt fishing are listed below.
List of main tools for smelt fishing
- Fishing line (tegus line)
- reel
- contraption
- Weight
- Bait (marble, bloodworm, rabbit, etc.)
- bucket
- Such
In the smelt fishing experience tours held all over the country, the above It is possible to rent a set of tools is.
participant is, Prepare cooler boxes and zippered plastic bags to take home. let's.
Smelt fishing clothes
" Smelt fishing What kind of clothes should I wear? ”There may be many people who are worried about their clothes.
As mentioned above, The fishing season for smelt is held mainly in the winter, but from autumn to early spring. will do.
Therefore, whether you are fishing for smelt on ice or fishing for smelt on a dome boat, Thorough cold protection measures are essential It becomes.
with heating When fishing for smelt on a dome boat, dress appropriately for the temperature and weather of the day. No problem.
When ice fishing for smelt, wear warm, windproof and waterproof clothing such as ski and snowboard wear. is recommended.
Below is a list of things you may find useful when participating in a smelt fishing experience tour.
A list of things you should bring when fishing for smelt
- gloves
- Scarf
- Knit hat
- Thick socks (replacement when wet)
- Earmuffs
- neck warmer
- Cairo
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Frequently Asked Questions about Smelt Fishing
Q What is smelt fishing?
A Public fish (smelt) whose main fishing season is winter from October to March. Smelt fishing is actually a standard activity for lake leisure that you can enjoy all year round. Smelt fishing experience tours are roughly classified into two types. One is "ice smelt fishing" where you can drill holes in the frozen lake surface and enjoy it, and the other is "dome ship smelt fishing" where you can enjoy floating a dedicated boat on an antifreeze lake that does not freeze even in winter.
Q What kind of tools do you need for smelt fishing?
A You will need a fishing rod for smelt fishing, a reel (a tool that attaches to the fishing rod and winds up the fishing line), a device, and bait. Since a flock of smelt is often found in deep water, the electric reel is recommended for beginners because of its many advantages. Many of the smelt experience tours rent tools, so it's a good idea to check when you apply.
Q Where can I catch smelt?
A Smelt fishing that can be enjoyed mainly in the Hokkaido-Kanto Koshinetsu region. The most popular is Lake Yamanaka at the foot of Mt. Fuji. The reason for its popularity is the good accessibility of a day trip from the city center and the length of the season from autumn (around September) to early spring (around early May). In addition, Lake Shinotsu / Barato River near Sapporo, Hokkaido, Lake Hibara in Fukushima Urabandai, Lake Nojiri / Lake Kisaki in Shinshu are among the most popular.
Q What should I do with the smelt I caught?
A It is said that the smelt, especially when it is oily, is in early March. Tempura and fried chicken, which are synonymous with smelt dishes, can be eaten whole without any pretreatment. Fresh smelt can also be eaten as sashimi. The best part of fishing for smelt is to rent cooking utensils and use cooking services to eat on the spot, but you can also take it home with you if you bring a cold box or ice pack.
*The content of this article is current as of October 2024.
