Wakasagi smelt fishing is a popular winter pastime in Hokkaido, enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike from around January to early April. It involves setting up a tent on the surface of a frozen lake, drilling a hole in the ice, and casting a fishing line to catch the small pond smelt underneath. You can try it in many lakes all over Hokkaido, but one recommended spot for foreign tourists is Lake Shumarinai in Horokanai Town, where rental equipment is available and friendly English-speaking staff can help you out. They also offer a snowmobile pick-up and drop-off service for convenient access around the fishing spots in the lake.
Your catch will depend on the time, the weather and mostly your luck. Many people stay on the ice for long hours. The best part of wakasagi fishing is savoring your freshly caught smelt deep-fried whole as a tempura snack. On especially cold mornings, you might also see a beautiful phenomenon called “diamond dust”, where water vapor in the air condenses into fine ice crystals shining in the sunlight. Wakasagi fishing lets you experience a truly Hokkaido winter tradition. Why not challenge yourself and see how many you can catch?
Lake Shumarinai
Address: Shumarinai, Horokanai Town, Hokkaido
Website: http://en.shumarinai.jp/
Phone: +81-165-38-2029 (Lake Shumarinai World Center)
Season: Mid-January to early April
Cost: Fishing fee 1,100 yen, fishing set rental 1,200 yen, snowmobile access 200 yen
Front desk: Weekdays: Fresh Water Fisheries Building, Sat/Sun: Mini Log House (Equipment rental available at Fresh Water Fisheries Building)
Fishing time: 6:00 - 16:00
Information about transport passes:
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ticket/railpass/index.html
Travelling within Hokkaido
https://japanbyjapan.com/blog/travelling-within-hokkaido
*Information is correct as of January 2019.
