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All Hokkaido > Programs > Come empty-handed and experience smelt ice fishing at the wintery Lake Abashiri, tempura included!
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Ice fishing
Lake Abashiri is popular among anglers in Hokkaido, and is a paradise for smelt fishing in Hokkaido. With the motto of "Catch only enough to eat," we have set the experience time so that you can enjoy fishing on the lake even in sub-zero temperatures.
First, we prepare using a hole drill and ice scoop the ice- then the fishing begins.
The fish you catch will be fried hot on the spot. It's a valuable experience to remember your trip to Okhotsk.
Come empty-handed and experience smelt ice fishing at the wintery Lake Abashiri, tempura included!
- Location
Abashiri
- Available Period
Mid-January ~ Late March
- Duration
2 hours and 10 minutes
- Fee
This program is currently unavailable as it is outside the offered period.
Tour Highlights
- We have had the highest number of participants for Lake Abashiri ice-fishing smelt fishing tours for 14 straight years!
- All fishing equipment and tents will be provided, so please come empty-handed.
Experience the beauty of Abashiri! If you come to Hokkaido in the winter, you should try ice fishing for smelt at least once!
Your guide will provide you with full support, including how to use the equipment and how to attach bait, so that even those with no fishing experience can enjoy the experience. All equipment will be provided, so you can participate empty-handed. We will also set up special tents for windy days, so you can enjoy the experience in comfort. Many customers have told us, “I imagined it would be extremely cold, but it was surprisingly warm inside the tent!”
Fishing on a frozen lake is sure to be an unforgettable experience. The freshly caught and fried tempura tastes exceptional too!
- Participants: elementary school students to 75 years old
- Participants who are pregnant or weigh over 100kg cannot participate
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If you have a severe medical history involving the circulatory, respiratory, or nervous system, please be sure to declare the name of your illness and the names of any medications you are taking in advance. Please be sure to bring your medication with you on the day.
Meeting Location
We provide free pick-up service from the Abashiri area (hotels, JR Abashiri Station, or the Abashiri Michi-noEki).
If you require this service, please write it in the “Requests” section when you apply.
What to Bring & Wear
- Wearing a mask is mandatory in the vehicle and in the tent (during the smelt fishing experience). Please be sure to bring one with you.
- We will not be providing hand washing services after smelt fishing this year, so please bring a towel to wipe your wet hands- they will smell like fish! – when fishing. (Disinfectant will be provided)
- Cold weather gear- warm and easy-to-move-in clothes
- Snow wear tops and bottoms, light down jacket, or similar wear
- Cold weather gloves are a must. Ski or snowboard gloves are also acceptable.
- Waterproof trekking shoes, boots, or snow boots with thick socks.
- Knit hat
- Sunglasses or snow goggles
Cold weather gear rentals are available.
- Waterproof top & bottom: 550¥ per set
- Winter boots: 330¥ per pair
Reviews（5）
Overview
- Available Period
-
Mid-January ~ Late March
- Duration
2 hours and 10 minutes, including transportation and ice fishing experience (100 minutes)
Start times:
- 8:20~
- 14:20~
- Fee
Adult(13+ years): 6,000¥
Child: 5,000¥
- What's Included
- Guide fees
- Insurance
- Equipment rentals
- Tempura
- Pick-Up Service
Please let us know your preferred location in Abashiri for pickup, such as a hotel, train station, or the Aurora icebreaker dock.
<Areas where pick-up is available>
Roadside station Aurora Terminal, JR Abashiri Station, hotels on the shores of Lake Abashiri, hotels around JR Abashiri Station, hotels in central Abashiri, etc.<Areas where pick-up is not available>
Abashiri Ubaranai district, Kitahama district, Masuura district, etc.
- Payment
Prepayment by credit card
Notes
- Guests who are pregnant, weigh over 100kg, or have been drinking alcohol cannot participate.
- If the tour cannot proceed due to heavy rain, lightning, wind, or blizzard, we will cancel the tour and inform you.
- The tour dates may be changed or cancelled if there is not enough snow due to unseasonal weather or other reasons.
- The tour may be cancelled midway for safety or other reasons at the discretion of the guide.
Cancellation / Changes
- A cancellation fee of 100% is charged if cancelled on the day of the event or in case of a no-show
- A cancellation fee of 50% is charged if cancelled 3 days or less before the start of the event
- A cancellation fee of 20% is charged if cancelled 7 day or less before the event
Reviews(5)
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Comfortable and fun!
I participated with a friend. As long as you dress warmly, you can have a very comfortable and special experience. You can also rent cold weather gear for 500 yen. I was the only one who was unlucky not to catch anything in that tent, but I enjoyed the atmosphere! The guide was also kind and supported us carefully! (This review has been machine translated into English) -
It was a good memory.
I went with my girlfriend to enjoy Hokkaido in the middle of winter. At her request, I tried smelt fishing for the first time. I was able to talk to other people who were on the same tour in a small tent, which helped to ease the cold a little. It was great to eat the smelt I caught on the spot. The guides were also very friendly and easy to talk to. Many people say that Hokkaido is too cold in the winter and don't want to go, but I love it in winter. The scenery and natural phenomena that can only be seen in winter are truly moving. I wanted to show my girlfriend Hokkaido in the middle of winter and impress her, so I participated in this experience. It became a good memory. Thank you very much. (This review has been machine translated into English)
- Location
Abashiri
- Available Period
Mid-January ~ Late March
- Duration
2 hours and 10 minutes
- Fee
This program is currently unavailable as it is outside the offered period.
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4 (5)
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Lake Abashiri - Smelt fishing experience - Tempura included
Under the rare blue sky in late February, tent flowers bloom here and there on the white Lake Abashiri.A solo trip from Osaka. I am very grateful to be picked up at my accommodation despite the early hour. Smelt fishing starts with drilling holes in the ice with a special drill. The ice is 70cm thick, so it is surprisingly hard work. The staff prepares all the fishing equipment, including bait, and gives detailed advice on how to fish. We wait for the fish in anticipation of catching something.Inside the tent, tension and anticipation of catching something are mixed, and the atmosphere is heated. (Maybe because we are wearing thick clothes, we are a little sweaty.) When we catch the first fish, we feel relieved, and all that's left is to catch enough to eat for tasting. The freshly fried smelt we eat on the ice was especially delicious. On the way back, thank you for taking us to the bus terminal. If there is an opportunity next year, we will use your services again. (This review has been machine translated into English) -
Comfortable and fun!
I participated with a friend. As long as you dress warmly, you can have a very comfortable and special experience. You can also rent cold weather gear for 500 yen. I was the only one who was unlucky not to catch anything in that tent, but I enjoyed the atmosphere! The guide was also kind and supported us carefully! (This review has been machine translated into English) -
It was a good memory.
I went with my girlfriend to enjoy Hokkaido in the middle of winter. At her request, I tried smelt fishing for the first time. I was able to talk to other people who were on the same tour in a small tent, which helped to ease the cold a little. It was great to eat the smelt I caught on the spot. The guides were also very friendly and easy to talk to. Many people say that Hokkaido is too cold in the winter and don't want to go, but I love it in winter. The scenery and natural phenomena that can only be seen in winter are truly moving. I wanted to show my girlfriend Hokkaido in the middle of winter and impress her, so I participated in this experience. It became a good memory. Thank you very much. (This review has been machine translated into English) -
Enjoy!!
I made a reservation for February 25th, from 14:30. I'm sorry for the sudden change in the pick-up location. It was my first time "smelt fishing" (@＾＾＠) Everything was a first-time experience, from digging the ice to frying tempura on the lake!! I had an exciting and thrilling time. As a solo traveler and train fan, I was attracted by the fact that it was "single person OK" even though the price was a little high. I really enjoyed "smelt fishing". I'll never forget the taste of the tempura... Thank you for your help... (This review has been machine translated into English) -
It became my best memory.
The weather was nice, so we decided to apply on a whim. Just me and my mother. We didn't prepare anything, just a coat and gloves to keep warm... We prepared all our equipment, were explained how to fish, and listened to stories about the nature of the Okhotsk Sea. It was my first time fishing, but we had a really fun time. At the end, the smelt tempura we had on the ice on the lake was amazing! It was a nice touch in the midst of nature. We are very grateful that they were so accommodating to our sudden application. I would definitely like to participate in other programs as well. (This review has been machine translated into English)
Lake Abashiri - Smelt fishing experience - Tempura included