Experience an unforgettable boat fishing adventure on beautiful Lake Shumarinai, home to Japan's legendary giant freshwater fish, the Japanese Huchen (Ito).
Fish from a comfortable electric-powered drift boat while exploring the vast waters of Lake Shumarinai, one of Hokkaido's most spectacular fishing destinations.
Whether you are an experienced angler or visiting Hokkaido for the first time, we will do our best to help you enjoy an unforgettable fishing experience.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Season
◯ Spring Season
May 1 – Around June 10
Due to rising air and water temperatures in recent years, we recommend visiting before around May 20 for the best fishing conditions.
◯ Autumn Season
October – December 10
Snow may begin to fall in late October, so warm clothing is highly recommended.
Target Species
The Japanese Huchen (Ito) is Hokkaido's legendary freshwater fish and one of Japan's most sought-after game fish.
For many anglers, catching an Ito is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Maximum Participants
Up to 2 guests.
Please note that space on the boat is limited.
For safety reasons, when two guests are fishing together, we may spend part of the day fishing from the shoreline.
Age Requirement
Guests must be at least 18 years old and physically able to enjoy a full day of fishing.
Tour Price
The tour price includes:
- Professional guide service
- Accident insurance
- Consumption tax
Price
1 Guest
Full Day (Approx. 8 hours): ¥40,000
Half Day (Approx. 4 hours): ¥25,000
2 Guests
Full Day: ¥60,000 (¥30,000 per person)
Half Day: ¥40,000 (¥20,000 per person)
Please note that the Lake Shumarinai fishing permit is not included in the tour price.
Guests are required to purchase their own fishing permit.
separate fishing permit fee is required for Lake Shumarinai. Please check official Lake Shumarinai sources for the current rate.
For season passes and detailed fishing regulations, please visit the following website:
Lake Shumarinai Fishing Regulations
Tour Duration
Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours (from around 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), including meeting, breaks, and the end of the tour.
Half-day tours (approximately 4 hours) are also available.
For example:
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Please contact us if you would like to arrange a custom schedule.
If you would like to start at dawn (for example, around 4:00 AM), the guide will stay overnight at Lake House Shumarinai.
In this case, an additional accommodation fee will apply.
Please contact us for a quotation.
If Lake House Shumarinai is fully booked and the guide cannot stay overnight, the tour will begin at approximately 8:00 AM.
Thank you for your understanding.
The tour schedule and starting time may change depending on weather conditions, river conditions, and the guide's judgment to provide the best possible experience.
Free pick-up and drop-off are available from accommodations in Bifuka and Bifuka Station.
Airport and railway station transfers from Asahikawa are also available.
Additional transportation charges will apply.
Please contact us for details.
Boat
Our fishing boat is a specially designed rafting boat equipped with a custom fishing frame, comfortable seats, and an electric trolling motor.
The seats are sturdy and comfortable, and many of our guests have commented on how enjoyable they are throughout the day.
The front seat includes an elevated casting platform, allowing anglers to cast from a higher position above the water.
Your guide operates the electric trolling motor and oars from the rear of the boat while quietly drifting along the shoreline to maximize fishing opportunities.
Meeting Point
Lake Shumarinai – Maehama Boat Launch
Recommended Clothing
- Chest waders
- Wading boots (felt soles recommended)
- Studded or metal-spiked boots are not permitted, as they may damage the boat.
- Hat or cap
- Polarized sunglasses
- Fishing gloves
What to Bring
- Fishing tackle
- Warm clothing
- Rain gear
- A change of clothes
- Towel
- Drinks
A personal flotation device (life jacket) will be provided by your guide and must be worn throughout the tour.
Please Read Before Joining the Lake Shumarinai Boat Fishing Tour
- We will do our very best to help you catch fish, but please understand that
catching fish cannot be guaranteed, even when fishing from a boat. - To protect our boat, wading boots with metal studs or spikes are not permitted.
- I am happy to provide advice on lure fishing techniques.
However, I am still learning fly fishing and do not yet have enough experience to offer professional guidance in that area.
Thank you for your understanding.
Fishing Regulations
*Image courtesy of the Lake Shumarinai Fisheries Cooperative.
Please follow the official
Lake Shumarinai Fishing Regulations
at all times.
Please note that accidents involving barbed hooks have occurred in the past.
In some cases, hooks became deeply embedded in a guest's finger and required immediate medical treatment.
If a hook becomes embedded in either a guest or the guide during the tour,
the tour will be terminated immediately and we will go directly to the nearest hospital.
Thank you for your understanding.
About Jointed Swimbait Tails and Spinnerbait Skirts
The use of soft plastic worms is prohibited under the Lake Shumarinai fishing regulations.
Because many anglers have asked whether the tails of jointed swimbaits (such as the Gan Craft Jointed Claw) and the skirts of spinnerbaits fall under this rule, we contacted the Lake Shumarinai Fisheries Cooperative for clarification.
According to their official response, these lures may be used as long as the lure body itself is not made entirely of soft silicone or worm material.
Therefore, jointed swimbaits with tails and standard spinnerbaits are permitted.
However, trailers made from silicone or other non-biodegradable soft plastic materials may not be attached to spinnerbaits.
Trailers made from biodegradable materials such as pork rind are permitted.
Even so, the Fisheries Cooperative recommends avoiding detachable trailers whenever possible.
If a fish accidentally swallows a detached trailer and it does not decompose quickly enough before passing through its digestive system, it may become lodged and cause the fish to die.
To help protect the unique ecosystem of Lake Shumarinai and conserve species such as the Japanese Huchen (Ito), Dolly Varden, Cherry Salmon, Ugui, and other native fish, we encourage all anglers to fish responsibly and minimize their environmental impact.
Recommended Lures
The following lures have produced excellent results on Lake Shumarinai.
- Rapala CDJ – 9 cm / 11 cm
- Palms Jabamai 90CD
- Duo Realis Jerkbait – 11 cm / 12 cm
- Bassday Sugar Deep 90
- Bassday Sugar Deep Short Bill
- Duo Tide Minnow Slim 120
- Various spoons
The primary baitfish in Lake Shumarinai are wakasagi (Japanese pond smelt) and ugui (Japanese dace).
Natural colors that imitate these baitfish are generally the most effective.
When the water is stained or cloudy, flashy colors such as
Red Gold and
Black Gold
can also be very productive.
If fish are not responding to surface or shallow-running lures, we may switch to
deep-diving crankbaits or jerkbaits to target fish holding in deeper water.
Contact & Reservations
If you have any questions or would like to make a reservation, please contact us using the page below.
We look forward to fishing with you on beautiful Lake Shumarinai.