Smelt fishing

[Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture] Enjoy fishing for smelt, a specialty of Lake Iwado! You can rent a set of tools

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  • Last updated: 2024.05.1

Fishing for smelt is popular with tourists, including many families and couples, every year.

Fishing for smelt at Lake Iwado is known for being easy to achieve results even for beginners. This is why the lake has so many fish. This time, we will introduce smelt fishing at this nationally famous Lake Iwado.

Complete set of fishing equipment available for rent

It's okay even if you don't usually fish and don't have any equipment. You can rent all, but not all, of the equipment needed for smelt fishing at Iwado Lake Rest House.

You can rent a complete set of fishing rods and bait for 2,000 yen. You can also rent a drill for making holes in the ice (1,000 yen), a tent for sheltering from the wind (for 3 people: 4,000 yen), a large sled (500 yen), and rain boots (500 yen). .

However, winter clothing such as gloves and knit hats, as well as chairs and mats to be placed inside the tent, cannot be rented. Lake Iwado in particular is quite cold because it is located at a high altitude. Be sure to take proper measures to protect yourself from the cold in advance.

You can have the smelt you caught made into tempura.

When you catch a smelt, you want to taste the fresh fish right away. If you have your own tent, you may cook on the spot, but if you are renting a tent, it is prohibited due to the smell.

However, those who rent the smelt they catch can have it made into tempura at the restaurant in the rest house. It's free, so give it a try. The fresh smelt tempura is said to be truly exquisite.

In addition to smelt tempura, the restaurant also offers other hot dishes such as udon, curry, and oyakodon. Perfect for warming up your body after fishing for smelt.

A tent is required on days when the weather is not good

If the weather is nice, you can enjoy smelt fishing without renting a tent. However, on a cold and windy day, it is difficult to do without a tent. On days when the weather isn't good, it's a good idea to enjoy the experience while sheltering from the wind in a tent.

Place the caught smelt in the lake water and then store it in the cooler box.

If you leave the smelt you have caught, it will quickly freeze due to the cold outside air.

When I got home and washed frozen smelt with tap water, I was surprised to find that it suddenly started moving.

Once you catch a fish, don't leave it alone; instead, let it soak in the lake water for a while. By doing so, the smelt spits out dirt and food from its mouth. After that, it's perfect if you put it in a cooler box with lots of ice.

Summary of Lake Iwado’s famous smelt fishing

At Lake Iwado, smelt fishing is normally held from mid-to-late January until the end of March Iwado Lake is so vast that beginners may not know where they can fish.

However, an area map is prepared and points where you can fish are listed, so even first-timers can feel at ease. It is also recommended that you find the best fishing spots on your own. It feels like a treasure hunt, and that's the real thrill of ice fishing for smelt.

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