Fish species in Japan
Japanese smelt
ワカサギ · wakasagi
Hypomesus nipponensis
Small Japanese smelt are caught with fine multi-hook rigs. Access may be from shore, boats or managed platforms.
Habitat and season
Lakes and managed smelt fisheries.
- Recorded fishing season
- Jan · Feb · Mar · Oct · Nov · Dec
- Scientific name
- Hypomesus nipponensis
- Japanese name
- ワカサギ
Months are a broad guide, not a current catch forecast. Region, water temperature and local closures can change the season.
Fishing methods
Find places to fish
Hokkaido · Trip-planning area
朱鞠内湖 ワカサギ釣りエリア
Japanese smelt
Fukushima · Trip-planning area桧原湖 ワカサギ釣りエリア
Japanese smelt
Yamanashi · Fishing charter山中湖 うおやすボート
Japanese smelt
Yamanashi · Fishing charter旭日丘観光 山中湖ドーム船
Japanese smelt
Cooking
Detailed recipes for this species are currently in Japanese. Open the Japanese cooking guide →
Compare related fish
Detailed Japanese species notes
細長い体、大きな目、背びれの後方の小さな脂びれが手掛かりです。よく似た小魚がいるため、サイズだけで判断しません。
漁協・施設の期間、体長、尾数、針の規則を優先。増水や落雷の予報では中止し、救命具を着用します。釣った魚は生食しません。
Full Japanese page, including available 3D model →