Lake Kussharo Fly Fishing Guide | Trout Fishing in Hokkaido
Lake Kussharo is one of the most famous fly fishing destinations in Eastern Hokkaido, Japan.
Surrounded by a vast lake and the beautiful natural landscape of Hokkaido, Lake Kussharo offers anglers the opportunity to target rainbow trout, white-spotted char, kokanee salmon, and other cold-water species.
One of the most iconic fish of Lake Kussharo is the large, silver-colored rainbow trout locally known as the “Platinum Rainbow.” These powerful, silver-bodied rainbow trout are one of the special attractions of fly fishing Lake Kussharo.
From spring to early summer, anglers can enjoy fly fishing around aquatic insect hatches. In autumn, falling water temperatures and changing trout behavior create a completely different style of fishing.
Late June is particularly famous for the emergence of large aquatic insects and the exciting dry fly opportunities that can follow. Autumn is another important season, offering a very different trout fishing experience as fish activity and movement change with the colder water.
We provide private fly fishing guide services throughout Eastern Hokkaido. Rather than always fishing Lake Kussharo simply because it was originally requested, we consider weather, water temperature, wind, trout activity, and current fishing conditions to choose the best available fishing area for each day.
In this guide, we introduce the fish of Lake Kussharo, the best fly fishing seasons, effective fishing techniques, recommended tackle, access, and how to include Lake Kussharo in a multi-day fly fishing trip through Eastern Hokkaido.
What Fish Can You Catch in Lake Kussharo?
Rainbow Trout
Rainbow trout are one of the main fly fishing targets in Lake Kussharo.
Unlike river-dwelling trout, rainbow trout in the lake move through a large area in search of food.
Because of this, timing is extremely important. Anglers need to consider when trout move closer to shore, as well as wind direction, water temperature, baitfish, and insect activity when searching for fish.
Autumn is one of the most exciting seasons for targeting larger rainbow trout in Lake Kussharo, including the powerful silver-colored fish often referred to locally as “Platinum Rainbows.”
White-Spotted Char
White-spotted char, known in Japan as ame-masu, are one of Hokkaido’s characteristic cold-water trout species.
They can also be targeted with fly fishing in Lake Kussharo.
For international anglers visiting Hokkaido, white-spotted char offer a very different experience from rainbow trout and are one of the unique species worth targeting during a fishing trip in Eastern Hokkaido.
Kokanee Salmon
Kokanee salmon, known in Japan as himemasu, are one of the iconic fish of Lake Kussharo during autumn.
As the season changes, their behavior changes significantly, and during certain periods they can sometimes be seen close to shore.
Their brilliant spawning colors make kokanee one of the most visually distinctive fish for international anglers visiting Hokkaido in autumn.
Recommended Fly Fishing Tackle for Lake Kussharo
For Lake Kussharo, #6 to #8 double-handed fly rods are commonly used and are suitable for a wide range of fishing situations.
The main style of fly fishing on Lake Kussharo is retrieve fishing using Spey casting. This allows anglers to efficiently cover a large area of water while searching for rainbow trout and white-spotted char.
Depending on the season and insect activity, we may also use single-handed rods with dry flies.
For fly lines, we recommend bringing more than just a floating line. Having several line options makes it easier to adjust your fishing depth and presentation depending on where the trout are holding and how they are feeding.
Waders, polarized sunglasses, waterproof clothing, and warm layers are also essential.
Spring and autumn can be extremely cold in Eastern Hokkaido, so anglers should always be prepared for low temperatures and rapidly changing weather.
Lake Kussharo vs. Lake Akan
First of all, Lake Kussharo is a challenging fishing destination.
Even compared with other trout lakes in Hokkaido, there is a relatively high possibility of having a difficult day with very few opportunities.
However, the quality of the fish is exceptional.
When you finally connect with a good rainbow trout or white-spotted char, the power of the fish and the fight can make all the effort worthwhile.
Kokanee salmon are a little different. Once they move close to shore during the autumn season, they can be relatively easy to target.
Personally, Lake Kussharo is one of my favorite lakes in Hokkaido.
It is not an easy place to fish, and success is never guaranteed. But that challenge is exactly what makes the lake special.
If you are a serious fly angler visiting Hokkaido, I believe Lake Kussharo is a destination worth challenging at least once.
Best Time to Fly Fish Lake Kussharo
The best season depends on your target species and the style of fishing you want to experience.
For rainbow trout and white-spotted char using Spey casting and retrieve techniques, April, May, and early June are some of the periods we recommend.
For kokanee salmon, one of the most interesting periods is generally from mid-October through mid-November, when the fish move closer to shore.
Fishing conditions can vary significantly depending on water temperature, weather, wind, and the timing of seasonal fish movements.
Because of this, exact fishing conditions can never be guaranteed in advance.
Combining Lake Kussharo With an Eastern Hokkaido Fly Fishing Trip
Lake Kussharo is an excellent destination to include in a multi-day or one-week fly fishing trip through Eastern Hokkaido.
For example, anglers can combine Lake Kussharo with Lake Akan, the Akan River, rivers around Shiretoko, and other fishing destinations throughout Eastern Hokkaido.
This allows you to experience completely different styles of Hokkaido fly fishing during a single trip.
Weather, river conditions, lake conditions, and trout activity can change every day in Hokkaido.
For this reason, we prefer not to completely fix every fishing location several months before a trip.
Instead, we consider the actual weather, water temperature, rainfall, wind, and fish activity before deciding where to fish.
Our goal is to choose the most suitable fishing destination for the conditions each day.
Lake Kussharo Fly Fishing Guide
We provide private fly fishing guide services throughout Eastern Hokkaido.
In addition to Lake Kussharo, we can arrange multi-day fishing trips combining Lake Akan, the Akan River, Shiretoko, and other fishing destinations throughout Eastern Hokkaido.
Our guided trips are available for experienced fly anglers as well as visitors trying fly fishing in Hokkaido for the first time.
Rental fly rods, waders, and other fishing equipment can also be arranged in advance.
If you are planning a fly fishing trip to Hokkaido, please contact us with your travel dates, number of anglers, fishing experience, and target species.
Based on the season and current conditions, we can recommend a fishing itinerary that gives you the best opportunity to experience the diverse fly fishing of Eastern Hokkaido.
