Recreational fishing season opens on Lake Shikaribetsu endemic species Miyabe char fish

Daisetsuzan National Park’s Lake Shikaribetsu stretches through the towns of Shikaoi and Kamishihoro in the Tokachi region and is home to the endemic species Miyabe char fish. On June 21, the recreational fishing season opened for the Miyabe char fish there for the summer season. Recreational fishers gathered from both inside and outside of Hokkaido and enjoyed fishing for Miyabe char fish at the lake.
The Miyabe char fish is a subspecies of the Dolly Varden trout that evolved independently in Lake Shikaribetsu. For a total of 50 days over summer and autumn, the municipal administration of Shikaoi permits up to 50 people per day to fish at the lake, as long as they catch and release. Last season was canceled due to impact from the novel coronavirus pandemic. This season was originally slated to open on May 28, but was postponed following the State of Emergency Declaration.
On the first day fifty fishing enthusiasts came from places such as Obihiro, Sapporo, and Tokyo. After receiving body temperature inspections and sanitizing their hands, they set off in boats right when the season officially opened at 6:00 a.m. Miyabe char fish approximately 30 centimeters in length were caught. A freelance photographer from Kanagawa Prefecture reported, “Fishing amidst nature is amazing. I want to enjoy myself here, and of course cooperate with efforts to curb coronavirus spreading while I do.”
Recreational summer fishing lasted until July 1.
Location
Lake Shikaribetsu
Related
Elephant manure in return for banana leaves and stems: Yuumu Farm in the town of Shintoku in the Tokachi region of eastern Hokkaido has donated banana stems and leaves to be eaten by Asian elephant...
‘Umbrella Sky,’ an event in which people can enjoy pastel-colored plastic umbrellas displayed overhead, is being held at Tokachi Hills, a garden that is a tourist attraction in the town of Makubets...
On May 29, participants from throughout Hokkaido and beyond enjoyed participating in a monitor ‘SUP yoga’ activity that was held at Toyoura Seaside Park in the Iburi region of central Hokkaido.