Lake Biwa

Shiga, Japan · Freshwater · Intermediate

Japan's largest lake and the source of the world record largemouth bass, caught here in 2009. Weed beds, rock piles and river mouths hold very big fish in clear water.

Getting there & access

  • Fish from: land-based or boat
  • Facilities: Designated invasive-fish recovery boxes and holding pens around the lake

Shiga Prefecture's Lake Biwa leisure ordinance prohibits releasing black bass and bluegill anywhere in the prefecture. Caught fish should be taken to the designated recovery boxes or holding pens set up around the lake. Moving them live inside the Lake Biwa area to a recovery box, or keeping them alive in a bucket while you fish, is allowed, but taking live fish out of the lake area is a violation. Check Shiga Prefecture's current guidance on recovery-box locations before fishing.

Access information source

Species

  • largemouth bass
  • Japanese sea bass
  • common carp

Best times to fish

  • Pre-spawn (Mar-May)
  • Autumn (Oct-Nov)
  • Dawn and dusk

Recommended gear

Essential

  • Medium-heavy baitcast combo
  • Big swimbaits, jigs and soft plastics
  • Fluorocarbon leader
  • Sun protection

Optional

  • Boat or guide hire
  • Sounder
  • Polarized sunglasses

Regulations and requirements

  • A yugyoken permit is required for parts of the lake — check with the local cooperative
  • Largemouth bass is a designated invasive species in Japan; releasing it alive is prohibited in Shiga under the prefecture's Lake Biwa ordinance
  • Do not transport live bass away from Lake Biwa — take caught fish to a designated recovery box or holding pen, or follow Shiga Prefecture's disposal guidance

Rules change regularly — always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish.

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