One of the most popular winter fishing activities in Hokkaido is "ice fishing for wakasagi," in which fishermen drill round holes in ice-covered lakes and rivers and catch wakasagi with fishing lines hanging from the holes!
Wakasagi fishing requires less effort than other types of fishing and is popular among both children and adults.

In this issue, Domingo editorial staff has selected 8 recommended "ice fishing spots for wakasagi" in Hokkaido in winter! Find a spot near your area that is perfect for a weekend with family or friends, and enjoy this winter-only activity!

Enjoy fishing with nothing! Fishing spots where you can rent fishing rods and buckets

1 [Southern Hokkaido] Nanae-cho Jyunsai-numa Wakasagi Fishing Area

Onuma Fishery Cooperative Association Hakodate Onuma Junsai-numa Ice Wakasagi Fishing Site

This is a great spot to experience ice fishing on a natural lake called "Junsai-numa," a special protected area in Onuma National Park, surrounded by magnificent nature!

The charm of this wakasagi fishing spot is that even beginners can try ice fishing without anxiety!
The staff on hand are fishermen who know all about the local Onuma wakasagi!
They will kindly and politely give you a lecture on how to fish as much as time permits!

They also have rental equipment and warm clothes, so you can try ice fishing with nothing and without a reservation.

Check Domingo for more details!

2 [Central Hokkaido] Shiraoi Town Shiraoi Poroto Lake Wakasagi Fishing

Shiraoi Tourist Association

Wakasagi fishing" has become a winter tradition at Lake Poroto.
Some strong fishermen catch 100 fish in an hour. ......
Hot drinks and wakasagi fishing sets are available for purchase at the Information Center, which serves as the reception desk, so you can enjoy wakasagi fishing with ease.
Please do not forget to bring warm clothing!

It is especially crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, so it is better to visit on a weekday if possible, so you can enjoy your visit in a relaxed atmosphere.

Check Domingo for more details!

3 [North Hokkaido] Lake Shumarinai, Horokanai-cho Ice fishing for wakasagi

Visitors can enjoy fishing for wakasagi on the lake's surface, which is covered with ice more than one meter thick.
Lake Shumarinai's unique wakasagi fishing can be enjoyed on the extraordinary pure white surface of the lake, where diamond dust and sun pillars appear.
Lake Shumarinai's wakasagi are of the highest quality and are used by some of Tokyo's finest restaurants.

Fishing equipment sets and tents are available for rent, so you can enjoy fishing even if you don't have anything to hand.

Check Domingo for more details.

4 [East Hokkaido] Abashiri City Lake Abashiri Wakasagi Fishing

Okhotsk Regional Promotion Bureau

Visitors can enjoy fishing for wakasagi (smelt) on frozen Lake Abashiri.
You can rent a tent and hot-water bottle as well as a set of fishing gear, and you can even eat your catch as tempura on the spot.

Check Domingo for more details!

5 [East Hokkaido] Taiki Town Horokayanto Wakasagi fishing

Taiki Town

Wakasagi fishing is one of Hokkaido's wintertime traditions, also known as "anagari" (hole fishing), where you make a hole in the ice surface, drop a fishing line, and wait for a unique bite.
The caught wakasagi can be eaten as a whole fish in tempura or deep fried.
By the way, holokayanto means "swamp where you go backward and come back to land" in Ainu language!

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6 [East Hokkaido] Lake Akan, Kushiro City, Hokkaido

Aisu Land Akan

Natural wakasagi fishing is enjoyed by making a hole in the frozen lake.
All the equipment is provided and the staff will carefully guide first-timers on how to fish.

And at Lake Akan, you can choose between two fishing spots: "natural wakasagi fishing" and "wakasagi fishing pond.
It is great to be able to choose the fishing spot and method that fits your mood!
Check Domingo for more details!

7 [Central Hokkaido] Sapporo City, Sapporo Torretto Hut Fujii Farm Wakasagi Fishing Ground

Torette Hut Fujii Farm

This is a hole-in-the-wall place for wakasagi fishing in Sapporo!
Wakasagi fishing is usually associated with cold places in the east of Hokkaido such as Lake Abashiri and Lake Akan, but in fact, wakasagi can be found in the suburbs of Sapporo as well.

You can rent equipment and come empty-handed!
If you have never fished before and don't have any fishing gear, don't worry. You can rent all the equipment you need for wakasagi fishing.
For beginners, a guide is recommended. The staff will give you tips on how to adjust the bait and traps.

Check Domingo for more information!

8 [Central Hokkaido] Shinshinotsu Village Shinotsu Lake Wakasagi Fishing

Shinshinotsu Village

Lake Shinotsu is not only a popular spot for catching Ugui and Funa (crucian carp) in the summer, but is also a very popular spot for Wakasagi fishing in the winter, both within and outside the village.
The fishing shack is covered with a roof, so anyone can enjoy wakasagi fishing even on snowy days.

Freshly caught wakasagi are delicious as tempura or fried, so it is a good idea to catch a lot of wakasagi for dinner with your family!

Check Domingo for more details!

This winter, satisfy your heart and stomach with seasonal ice fishing for wakasagi!

In this issue, we have introduced eight wakasagi fishing spots throughout Hokkaido where you can go fishing with nothing more than your hands.
You can have your catch tempura-ed on the spot, or rent hot-water bottles and warm clothes at some fishing spots.
When you go wakasagi fishing, please check the weather, opening hours, and rental equipment before you go!

There are many other outing spots in Hokkaido that you can enjoy while keeping the "New Hokkaido Style".
Check out the Domingo app and website to see what's happening in each area♪