The smelt fishing season is finally entering its peak.

While the fishing season opens up across Japan in January, did you know that you can easily enjoy it in Hokkaido as well?

So, this time, I'd like to share some great information for those who want to try ice fishing for smelt.

Based in Sapporo, a convenient city for sightseeing, this guide offers a wealth of information, including smelt fishing spots near Sapporo and affordable, easy-to-join experience tours! Please take a look.

<Contents>
1. Introduction to smelt fishing spots near Sapporo
2. An easy way to enjoy smelt fishing!
Afterword

1-1, Shinotsu Lake

Lake Shinotsu, located in Shinshinotsu Village, is a well-known spot in Hokkaido.
If you go behind the hot spring facility called "Shinshinotsu Onsen Tappu no Yu," you'll find a row of greenhouses, which is where you can experience smelt fishing.

This is the most popular spot for those who want to try ice fishing for smelt while sightseeing.
The reason is that the greenhouse is equipped with all the necessary fishing gear, so all you have to do is start fishing!
There are also heaters available, so you won't have to freeze while fishing for smelt; even those who don't like the cold will be fine.

Restrooms are available within the hot spring facility, so women can enjoy themselves with peace of mind!
You can also stop by a hot spring to finish off your trip, which is something most people do.
It's hassle-free, you can enjoy a whole day, and plus it includes a hot spring bath – that's a big plus, isn't it?

Opening season: From late December to early March of the following year
*The ice rink may be closed due to unfavorable weather conditions such as a mild winter, even during the ice rink season.
Price: ¥500 for high school students and older
Rentals: Fishing rods and other equipment are available (rod: 500 yen, bait: 300 yen, dome hut (house): around 1.500 yen).

1-2. Baratogawa River, a smelt fishing spot closest to Sapporo.

The Barato River flows through Ishikari City and Sapporo City. As it is a river, there are actually several spots scattered along it.

There are several other spots for experienced anglers scattered around, including Makunbetsu at the northernmost point of the Ibarato River, Sato Suisan near the salmon factory, the Ishikari River floodway behind the river museum, and downstream of the Hanazono Bridge.

The most popular spot is the "Ishikari River Drainage Channel," where fishing is consistently successful, and fishing is mainly done by fishing in holes.
There are no fishing or parking fees, but fishing equipment rentals are not available, so joining a tour might be the standard way to enjoy it.

<Ishikari River Drainage Channel>
Address: Shinko Minami, Ishikari City, Hokkaido
Opening season: Around January 10th to around March 10th
Fee: Free
Rental: None

1-3, Katsurazawa Lake

 Lake Katsurazawa in Mikasa City is about an hour's drive from Sapporo. Many people eagerly await the opening of the winter fishing season here, and it is also famous for its consistently good catches of smelt.

On sunny days, you can often manage without a tent, but it's a good idea to have one because the wind can be cold.
Mikasa also has a day-trip hot spring that will warm you up on your way back!

<Katsurazawa Lake>
Address: Katsurazawa, Mikasa City, Hokkaido
Phone: Katsurazawa National Ski Resort (01267-6-8235) or Mikasa City Hall Planning and Economic Department Commerce and Tourism Section (01267-2-3997 (weekdays only))
Operating period: From mid-January to early March
Hours: 9: 00 ~ 16: 00
Fee: Fishing hole usage fee: ¥300 per hole (the caretaker will open it for you)
Fishing rod for sale: 1,700 yen (includes tackle and bait)
Rental fishing rod: ¥1,200 (includes tackle and bait) ・Tackle: ¥350 ・Bait: ¥200 ・Tent rental: ¥2,000 (for 3-4 people) ・Rubber boots: ¥200
Parking: Available (approximately 30 spaces)

1-4, Lake Poroto

Lake Poroto, located in Shiraoi Town, undergoes an annual ice thickness inspection, and when the ice thickness reaches nearly 20 centimeters, smelt fishing is permitted.

It takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there from Sapporo city center, so it's a place that can be visited on a day trip.

Surrounded by abundant nature and equipped with excellent facilities, this is a popular spot for families.

As is typical every year, Lake Poroto becomes a natural ice skating rink, making it a place where you can enjoy two things at once.
You can fully enjoy winter in Hokkaido!

<Lake Poroto>
Address: Shiraoi National Forest, Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido
Phone: 0144-82-2216 (Shiraoi Tourism Association)
Opening season: Scheduled from early January to early March.
*Released after ice thickness inspection
Fees: Daily fishing permit (general) ¥500, children ¥200 [Annual pass (general) ¥4,000]
Fishing equipment rental: Smelt fishing rod ¥1,000 (with reel ¥1,300~), tackle and bait ¥350~
Tent rental: ¥1,500 *Limited number of tents available.

2-1. Easily experience ice fishing for smelt on our ice fishing tour!

As mentioned above, ice fishing for smelt in the Ibarato River is quite difficult if you go on your own.
For those trying ice fishing for smelt for the first time, stepping into areas with thin ice can be extremely dangerous...

But don't worry! There are plenty of tours available that allow you to easily experience smelt fishing!

The tour I'd like to introduce today is Takarajima Travel's "30 minutes from Sapporo Station! Ice fishing for smelt in the Ibarato River near Sapporo <with rubber boots and warm pants>" tour.
This tour is incredibly convenient because you can rent everything you need for your trip, and it includes round-trip transportation from JR Sapporo Station.

Tents, fishing gear, boots, and warm overpants are all provided at the site, so you really don't need to bring anything when it comes to smelt fishing!
*You might want to bring gloves and hand warmers to protect yourself...

The local professional fishing guides will explain everything clearly, so even if you've never fished before, there's absolutely no problem.

You can enjoy the true essence of smelt fishing by having the smelt you catch yourself deep-fried into tempura right before your eyes.
And the biggest concerns, like changing rooms and restrooms, are available indoors, so women can participate with peace of mind! Let's have fun without any worries.

Tour name:<30 minutes from Sapporo Station! Ice fishing for smelt near Sapporo at Ibarato River <Includes rubber boots and thermal pants>>
Organizer: Hokkaido Takarajima Travel Co., Ltd.
Reservation inquiries: 011-252-2114 (Business hours: 9:00 AM - 18:00 PM, open all year round)
Tour detailsCLICK HERE .

2-2. You can also enjoy it on a regular sightseeing bus! Ice fishing for smelt, with lunch included.

The smelt fishing experience offered by Hokkaido Chuo Bus is a very popular tour because it allows people to spend their time productively and easily.

As mentioned above, Lake Shinotsu is located in the heart of the Ishikari Plain and is a short distance from Sapporo, just over an hour away.
This tour also includes round-trip transportation, so you can easily enjoy winter in Hokkaido.

Inside the greenhouse set up on the ice, there are already holes drilled, so it's ready to start at any time.

As mentioned earlier, there's a heater so you don't have to worry about getting cold, and the thoughtful touch of laying down plywood on the floor is truly impressive!

And even in the middle of fishing, you can take a dip in the hot springs or rest in the休息室 (rest room).

The appeal of this tour lies in its freedom, rather than a rigidly fixed itinerary.

We have plenty of time, about 4 and a half hours (scheduled from 9:35 to 14:00) after arriving at the location!

Amazingly, the tour price includes everything from the use of the special tent, fishing license fee, rental fishing rod, bait, fish bag, lunch, hot spring bath fee, and even the cost of cooking the smelt you catch! You can fully enjoy the smelt fishing experience and hot springs without needing any cash.

The best feature of this tour is that you can fish until 13:50, 10 minutes before departure!
This is a popular limited-time winter course, so please make your reservation early!

*The smelt you catch can be cooked at Tappu no Yu and served as your lunch.

Participants receive a piece of paper from a local staff member indicating the number of smelt caught, and then they take out the number of smelt they caught from a large plate that has been prepared as tempura by all the participants together.

Tour name:Ice fishing experience: Smelt fishing experience course
Tour organizer: Hokkaido Chuo Bus
Inquiries: 011-231-0500 (7:30 AM - 18:00 PM)
Operation period: January 12, 2016 to February 26, 2016 (operates from Monday to Friday)
*Service is suspended on public holidays (February 11th, January 18th, and February 15th).
*Service may be suspended due to weather conditions, etc.
Time required: 7 hour 05 minutes
Boarding location / Departure and arrival times: Sapporo Station Bus Terminal / Departure 8:10 AM, Arrival 15:15 PM
Price: Adults ¥6,000, Children ¥4,000
For further information, please read CLICK HEREto check more details.

2-3. Perfect for those who want to enjoy both smelt fishing and a hotel buffet!

Smelt fishing is a winter tradition.
If you want to make the most of your time and enjoy yourself to the fullest, how about a plan that includes a lunch buffet?

This tour, organized by Sapporo Transport, is a luxurious plan that includes the opportunity to experience smelt fishing in the popular Ibarato River, as well as a lunch buffet.
Join us for a casual, easy, and hassle-free experience of the freezing cold of Hokkaido.
Our first destination is Gateau Kingdom Sapporo, the venue for the lunch buffet.
Upon arrival, you'll be greeted by over 30 dishes made with delicious ingredients from Hokkaido. After a satisfying meal, it's finally time to head to the Ibarato River.

For smelt fishing, a local fishing guide will be there to lead you, so even first-timers can participate with peace of mind!
And after catching smelt, we were able to sample tempura, which brought our happiness to its peak. Tempura tastes especially good when you eat it right there...

You have a generous 3 hours to enjoy the experience, so please give it a try!
Tour name[Departing Sapporo Station at 11:00 AM] Ice fishing experience for smelt on the Ibarato River in Sapporo and a popular lunch buffet [Disposable hand warmers included]
*Many other tours are available, departing in the morning and afternoon.
Tour organizer: Sapporo Transport Co., Ltd. (This tour is operated jointly with Blue Tourism Hokkaido)
Inquiries: 011-272-7020
(Weekdays 10:00-14:00, 15:00-19:00)
（土・日・祝・12月30日・1月3日10:00～14:00 15:00～17:00）
(December 31st - January 2nd, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
Operation period: January 12, 2016 to February 26, 2016 (operates from Monday to Friday)
For further information, please read CLICK HEREPlease check:

Gateau Kingdom Sapporo
http://www.gateauxkingdom.com/

Afterword

Smelt fishing is considered a winter tradition.
While there are many places across Japan where you can enjoy smelt, those raised in the cold climate of Hokkaido have firmer flesh and are particularly delicious.

There are many tours available that allow you to enjoy the fun of fishing and the pleasure of eating your catch, all while traveling. Why not give it a try?

If you're planning a winter trip to Hokkaido with your partner, family, or friends, be sure to consider this option!

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