Fishing License & Regulations near Tokyo

2013/02/132026/04/11

 For ovewview, please read this article:

Inland Water Fishery Zoning and Fishing License

In Japan, fishing permits for inland water are managed by each individual fisheries.
Fisheries are represented by separate Gyokyo or fisheries cooperatives who are responsible for maintaining the environment in which fish are reproduced or stocked. They don’t own particular water as property, but they own right to trade fish raised in this water. So, the permit is an entrance ticket to participate as guest. You ought to purchase separate fishing permit due to this every time you walk into different fishery zone.

Saltwater

No Gyokyo covers sportsfishing in saltwater, so there is no need to a license.
However, salmon fishing regulations apply to the section nearby the mouth of salmon controlled rivers.

Inland Water in Hokkaido, Okinawa, and Remote Islands

There is no fishing license required in Hokkaido only at the exception of Lake Akan and its surrounding rivers including River Akan upper to mid section where fish are managed and stocked by Akan Gyokyo.

Inland water in Okinawa and remote islands don’t have gyokyo.

Fishing Regulations

On the other hand, fishing regulations are governed by Inland Water Fishery Management Commission (IWFMC) who belongs to each prefectures (state in Japan). They set regulations on:
1. Size   2. Season   3. Fishing Method   4. Zone.
10 members of IWFMC are selected from local Gyokyo, hutchery, recreational fishing organization, and research organization.

Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa Regulations

Following are regulations for Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa.

Area	Water	Species	Release Size	Open Season
Tokyo	Inland Water	Ayu	10cm or less	1 June – 31 December
		Rainbow Trouts	12cm or less	1 March – 31 December
		Cherry Salmon and Chars	12cm or less	1 March – 30 September
		Carps	18cm or less	All Year
		Eel	26cm or less	All Year
Tokyo	Coastal Water	Butterfish	10cm or less	All Year
		Amberjacks	15cm or less	All Year
		Eel	24cm or less	All Year
Saitama	Inland Water	Trouts	15cm or less	1 March – 30 September
		Carps	18cm or less	All Year
		Eel	26cm or less	All Year
Kanagawa	Inland Water	Ayu		1 June – 14 October 1 – 31 December
		Cherry Salmon and Chars	12cm or less	1 March – 14 October
		Trouts	12cm or less
		Carps	18cm or less	All Year
		Eel	24cm or less	All Year
Kanagawa	Coastal Water	Amberjacks	15cm or less	All Year
		Eels	24cm or less	All Year