2026 Lake Shikaribetsu Special Open Season Regulations

This is an English translation for reference. If there is any difference between the English and Japanese versions, the Japanese version shall prevail.

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Fishing Period

First Stage: Wednesday, May 27 – Sunday, June 28 (33 days)
Second Stage: Friday, September 18 – Sunday, October 4 (17 days)

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Fishing Hours

7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

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Fishing Areas

1. Except where special permission has been granted, fishing shall take place only within the designated general open area.
2. Shore fishing shall take place only in the designated areas.
3. (Designated shore fishing areas) Part of Uguisu Bay (うぐいす湾) and part of Otofuke Bay (音更湾).
4. Karasawa Bay (唐沢湾) ferry-only shore fishing area. Fishing alone is not permitted in this area. It must always be used by a group of at least 2 and no more than 3 people. (Reservation required)

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Number of Anglers

First Stage: 50 anglers per day
Second Stage: 50 anglers per day

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Fishing License [Fishing Fee]

¥4,190 per person
* The fishing fee is required for everyone, including those who ride in a boat without fishing and those who use the ferry service.

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Rental Boats and Rental Life Jackets

Rental boat: ¥2,500 per boat
Rental life jacket: ¥500 per day

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Fishing License [Fishing Fee] Discount

Family discount: The fishing fee is free for elementary and junior high school students only when they are accompanied by their parents.
* The discount does not apply when the child is accompanied by anyone other than their parents. In that case, a fishing fee of ¥1,050 is charged per elementary or junior high school student.
* Please note in advance that rental boats are for two persons only.

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Fishing Method Restrictions

Lure fishing, fly fishing and tenkara only.
* Bait fishing is prohibited, as is the use of chum (groundbait), fish attractants, plastic worms, pork rind and similar.

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Hook Restrictions

1. Only barbless single hooks may be used. Double hooks and treble hooks are prohibited.
2. For plugs such as minnows and crankbaits only, fitting single barbless hooks to two hook eyes (belly and tail) is permitted on a trial basis.
3. No more than one hook may be attached to each hook eye. Tandem (stinger) hooks are prohibited.
4. Dropper systems are prohibited, even with single barbless hooks.
   * In fly fishing, the rule is one hook per rod.

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Rod Restrictions

Each angler may use only one rod at a time while fishing. (Up to 2 spare rods may be brought.)

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Restrictions on Bringing Fishing Tackle

Bringing any fishing tackle other than what you will use for fishing that day is prohibited.

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Restrictions on Bringing Boats, Canoes and SUPs

1. You may bring your own inflatable boat, canoe or kayak. Please tell the reception office its type and color. Please launch only from the two designated locations.
2. Fishing from a SUP (stand-up paddleboard) is not accepted. Lake Shikaribetsu is a mountain lake at an elevation of about 800 m, where sudden changes in the weather and rough water caused by strong winds occur easily, so fishing from a SUP is extremely dangerous. To ensure safety, fishing from a SUP is prohibited.

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Restrictions on Bringing Float Tubes

1. You may bring your own float tube. Please use it only in the designated area of Bay No. 1 (1の湾).

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Catch and Release

1. All Miyabe char must be released. Except in unavoidable circumstances, laying a fish down out of the water, such as on land or in a boat, is prohibited. Photos and the like must be taken quickly with the fish in the water.
2. Each angler may keep up to 10 rainbow trout and cherry salmon (sakuramasu) in total. All fish beyond that number must be released.
3. Under the Hokkaido Fisheries Adjustment Regulations, all cherry salmon caught in May and June must be released promptly.

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Boat Fishing Restrictions

1. Life jackets must always be worn with the zipper fully closed.
2. To prevent capsizing and falls, standing up to fish in a boat is prohibited.
3. Anchors and weights for holding a boat in position, including small sea anchors, are prohibited without exception.

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Role of Resource Survey Participants

1. Survey participants (anglers) are asked to carry out a catch survey while fishing.
2. Record the fish you catch on the survey form according to the survey items, and submit the form when you finish fishing.

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Purpose of the Survey

1. To survey the number of Miyabe char and other fish caught by angling in order to understand population size, make adjustments toward an appropriate population, and maintain and stabilize the resource.
2. To study the effects of angling on the fish.

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Nuisance Behavior

Anyone who behaves contrary to generally accepted standards of conduct, or who does not follow the cautions or warnings of the wardens, will be required to leave.

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Fishing in No-Fishing Zones

Anyone who fishes in a no-fishing zone will be required to leave.

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Spot Inspections

Users must comply with any spot inspection by the office of the creels, cooler boxes, hooks and other items they have brought to the fishing area. If an inspection reveals a rule violation or similar, the user will be ordered to leave immediately with no refund of the fishing fee or any other charges, and will not be permitted to take part in this program ever again. Furthermore, where the conduct is found to be seriously malicious, such as keeping Miyabe char, it will without hesitation be reported to the relevant government authorities and made subject to a criminal complaint.

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Penalties

Violators of the fishing regulations and poachers will be subject to the ordinances of Shikaoi Town (鹿追町) under the authority of wardens commissioned by Shikaoi Town, and appropriate legal action will be taken.

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Fishing from the Shore

Lake Shikaribetsu lies within Daisetsuzan National Park (大雪山国立公園). The area has valuable natural forests and rare high-altitude vegetation, is home to the Japanese pika and Blakiston's fish owl, both of which are rare even within Japan, and is designated as a Natural Monument of Hokkaido as the "Miyabe Char Habitat of Lake Shikaribetsu." Under the Natural Parks Act, the lake surface is designated as "Class 1" and the surrounding land as "Class 2." The area is also rated at the national level under the Hokkaido Environmental Conservation Guidelines, so fishing shall be carried out with due consideration for these environments.
The designated shore fishing areas can be reached by boat only. Fishing from any shore other than the designated areas is prohibited.
If anglers are seen engaging in behavior that may harm the environment, the designated shore fishing areas may be temporarily closed.

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Ferry Area Restrictions

Karasawa Bay (唐沢湾) ferry-only area
Limited to one group per day (minimum 2, maximum 3 people), by online reservation.
The fee is ¥4,000 per person (tax included; fishing fee not included) and covers a full safety package: round-trip ferry, a rental boat for emergency evacuation, life jackets and bear repellent spray.
Ferry service to Otofuke Bay and Uguisu Bay has been discontinued. Anglers who wish to fish from the shore there should use a rental boat and the towing service.

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Restrictions on Use of Shore Fishing Areas

For safety, when shore fishing in Otofuke Bay and Uguisu Bay, please always moor your boat at the shore and fish in the vicinity of the boat. Fishing far away from your boat is prohibited for safety reasons.

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Safety Rules for Anglers and Canoes

1. The two boat launch sites are shared spaces, to be used in a spirit of mutual courtesy.
2. If any trouble (including a rescue) occurs, both parties shall promptly contact each other and cooperate to resolve it.
3. Most participants in the group canoe tours that start from the inner end of Bay No. 2 (2の湾) are beginners, so fishing boats shall take care not to block their course.
4. When a canoe is spotted within the group canoe tour course, fishing boats shall move away promptly. (See map)

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