Spanning the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, Lake Hamana is famous as a brackish lake, where seawater and freshwater mix. With its abundant variety of fish, it’s a popular fishing spot for anglers throughout the year…

Spanning the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture, Lake Hamana is famous as a brackish lake, where seawater and freshwater mix.

With its abundant variety of fish, it’s a popular fishing spot for anglers throughout the year.

Many spots along the lakeshore and in fishing parks are well-maintained, making them perfect for beginners and families to enjoy fishing with ease.

Here, we introduce six recommended fishing spots around Lake Hamana.

1. South Lake Hamana – Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park

Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park is located next to Imakireguchi (Imakire Pass), the waterway connecting Enshunada (the Pacific Ocean) and Lake Hamana.

About 400,000 tons of seawater flow into this area each year, making it a spot where you can also fish for saltwater species!

The fishing park features five well-maintained breakwaters, commonly called T-shaped piers.

These breakwaters are not only popular fishing spots but also create hiding places for fish by altering the flow of the tide.

In particular, the shadows cast by the piers tend to attract small fish and bait, which in turn can draw larger fish looking for an easy meal!

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi)

Summer: Black sea bream (kurodai), horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi), flounder (hirame)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), yellowtail (warasa), flounder (hirame)

Winter: Yellowtail (buri), sea bass (seabass), flounder (hirame)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

From early spring, fish begin to enter Lake Hamana from the sea.

From late summer through autumn to early winter, migratory bluefish arrive, offering the excitement of dynamic fishing.

You can catch a variety of fish throughout the year!

The park also has well-maintained piers, making it easy and safe to enjoy fishing.

Additionally, the tackle shop Imakire Shop sells fishing gear and light snacks, and also hosts fishing workshops and tournaments.

With restrooms and a paid parking lot available, it’s a comfortable and convenient spot for families and beginners alike.

Arai Benten Seaside Fishing Park – Information

Location: Kan’yuu Mu Banchi, Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: Imakire Shop (inside Kaikokan)

Parking: Paid (¥400 per day for stays over 30 minutes)

Restrooms: Available

2. South Lake Hamana – Arai Mukojima Wharf

Arai Mukojima Wharf is a fishing spot located in the southern part of Lake Hamana, in Arai-cho, Kosai City.

Although it is maintained as a fishing cargo wharf, the wide shoreline embankments and quays make it easy to cast a line, which is why it’s popular with local anglers.

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Yellowfin sea bream (kibire), horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi), mackerel (saba)

Summer: Horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze), flounder (karei)

Winter: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze), flounder (karei)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

In spring, as the water temperature in the lake gradually rises, the increase in plankton and small fish attracts migratory fish such as horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi), and mackerel (saba) into the lake in search of food.

In addition, flounder (karei), which is considered to be in season from autumn to winter, can also be caught!

In particular, along the Japanese coast, flounder move closer to shallow areas in winter to spawn, making them easier to catch near Arai Benten during this season.

They start appearing in late autumn and reach their peak in the cold winter months.

Since they feed actively before spawning, it’s a great time to aim for a good catch!

Parking is relatively easy to find, and the area offers a relaxed environment for fishing.

Its convenient location within Kosai City makes it a great spot to stop by for a casual fishing experience.

Arai Mukojima Wharf – Information

Location: 3448 Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: Ohashiya Fishing Tackle Center (3444-7 Arai, Arai-cho, Kosai-shi)

Parking: Free

Restrooms: None

3. North Lake Hamana – Kanzanji Uchiura

Kanzanji Uchiura is a quiet cove located in the northern part of Lake Hamana, making it a great fishing spot for families and beginners.

The Uchiura coast features wide shallow areas, making it a popular fishing spot for families and beginners.

Some anglers say, “It’s shallow, so it’s harder to catch fish,” but the variety of species you can encounter here is part of its charm!

It’s a spot where you can enjoy fishing throughout the seasons amidst the calm scenery of Lake Hamana.

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi)

Summer: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze), yellowfin sea bream (kibire), sea bass (seabass)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze), yellowfin sea bream (kibire), sea bass (seabass)

Winter: Japanese halfbeak (sayori)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

The easiest fishing to enjoy at this spot is goby (haze) fishing.

By exploring the rocks and sandy areas near your feet, even beginners can enjoy catching of fish.

From summer to autumn, catches are particularly consistent, making it an ideal spot for a family’s first fishing experience.

In addition, black sea bream (kurodai) and yellowfin sea bream (kibire) also migrate through the area, offering opportunities for more serious fishing.

Both bait fishing and lure fishing are possible, making them popular targets among experienced anglers.

Additionally, sea bass (seigo) sometimes enter the shallow areas, creating opportunities for catches with lures, especially in the evening or at night.

In winter, schools of Japanese halfbeak (sayori) come close to shore, making them easy to target with basket fishing or a simple rod.

The thrill of feeling their delicate bites adds to the fun, making it a seasonal favorite for many anglers.

With calm waters and stable footing, even young children can enjoy fishing safely.

The area also has an amusement park and hot springs nearby, making it easy to spend a relaxing full day combining fishing with other activities.

Kanzanji Uchiura – Information

Location: 3313-2 Kanzanji-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: Hanazono Tackle Shop (5256 Waji-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu-shi) – 10 minutes by car

Parking: Available (free)

Restrooms: Available

4. North Lake Hamana – Tsuzuki Coast

Tsuzuki Coast stretches along the northern part of Lake Hamana and is a calm shoreline popular with families and beginner anglers.

In this area, many anglers wear waders to fish within Lake Hamana.

Wearing waders in Lake Hamana allows anglers to stand in shallow areas and mudflats, reaching spots that aren’t accessible from the shore.

It’s a great way to fish up close for species like goby (haze), flounder (karei), and black sea bream (kurodai), offering a unique fishing experience where you can really feel the proximity to the fish.

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi)

Summer: Goby (haze), Japanese whiting (kisu)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Winter: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

Safety Tips for Beginners

・The muddy and rocky bottom can be slippery, so choose wader boots with good traction.

・When wading, start from shallow areas and gradually move into deeper water.

・Go with family or friends rather than alone.

・Be cautious around areas where the water depth changes suddenly or the current is strong.

By following these guidelines, even beginners can safely enjoy wader fishing.

The real charm of wader fishing in Lake Hamana is being able to freely explore the fishing spots while experiencing the lake’s unique nature and diverse fish up close.

That said, it’s not always completely safe!

When enjoying wader fishing, always check the weather and tide levels, fish during safe times, avoid going alone, and make sure to stay with family or friends to stay safe.

Since it’s a calm shoreline, it’s also a great spot to bring a packed lunch and relax.

Tsuzuki Coast – Information

Location: 859 Tsuzuki, Mikkabi-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: None

Parking: Free (573-3 Tsuzuki, Mikkabi-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)

Restrooms: Available

5. North Lake Hamana – Miyakoda River

Miyakoda River is a quiet river located in the northern part of Hamamatsu City, making it a safe and enjoyable spot for families and beginners to fish for goby (haze).

The area between Miotsukushi Bridge and Hikifune Bridge is easily accessible, with well-maintained gravel parking, making it a convenient spot for anglers.

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Goby (haze)

Summer: Goby (haze)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Winter: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

Miyakoda River is a popular spot for goby (haze) fishing!

The goby season starts around May to June, when the young-of-the-year fish appear.

The best season is from August to November!

During summer and autumn, casual goby (haze) fishing reaches its peak, making it fun for families to compete over their catches.

For bait, scallops or Ao-isome worms are particularly effective.

Using a simple rod or a short casting rod can make fishing more efficient.

Beginners may also want to try float fishing.

Between casts, you can take a stroll along the nearby walking paths or relax by the riverside.

Although it’s outside the goby (haze) season, the cherry blossoms along the walking paths are another highlight of this spot!

It’s a great place for families to relax and enjoy a leisurely fishing experience.

Miyakoda River – Information

Location: 304 Kiga, Hosoe-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: Uemura Tackle Shop (413-1 Hosoe-cho, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)

Parking: Free (riverside)

Restrooms: Available (inside Hamamatsu North Ward Office parking lot)

East Lake Hamana – Lake Shonai East Bank

The east shore of Lake Shonai is a lesser-known spot for fishing.

Fish Species

￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

Spring: Horse mackerel (aji), sardines (iwashi)

Summer: Goby (haze), Japanese whiting (kisu)

Autumn: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Winter: Black sea bream (kurodai), goby (haze)

Note: The above are examples.

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

You can catch black sea bream (kurodai), Japanese seabass (seabass), yellowfin sea bream (kibire), and goby (Haze) here, all in a relatively calm and relaxed setting.

Goby (Haze) fishing is especially popular, drawing many anglers from summer through autumn.

Fishing along the eastern shore of Lake Shonai offers a wonderful chance to relax with your family while enjoying nature.

It’s also a great spot for parents and children to make their fishing debut together.

Lake Shonai East Bank – Information

Location: Sahama-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu-shi

Nearby Tackle Shop: Hanazono Tackle Shop (5256 Waji-cho, Chuo-ku, Hamamatsu-shi)

Parking: Available (Kitagawa Entrance)

Restrooms: None

Tips for Enjoying Fishing with Your Family

Safety and Comfort at the Fishing Spot

The walking paths and embankments are well-maintained, providing stable footing for a safe experience.

Restrooms, vending machines, and both free and paid parking are conveniently nearby, making it easy to visit just like a park.

Keep Your Tackle Simple

A standard float fishing set works perfectly.

It’s easy to handle, making it ideal for beginners and children to try out.

You Might See Fish Swimming

In clear waters, you may be able to spot fish swimming below, giving children a fun opportunity for discovery and learning.

Watch Out for Snags!

Some spots have rocks or seaweed that can easily catch your line.

Using lighter tackle and avoiding overly long casts can make fishing more comfortable.

While enjoying the fun of fishing, you and your family can create memorable moments together.

Make Fishing More Comfortable! Handy Items to Bring

Life Jacket: A must for families with children.

Cooler Box: Keep your catch fresh on the way home.

Folding Chair: Makes long fishing sessions more comfortable.

Sun Protection: Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Insect Repellent: Especially important in summer.

Towel & Wet Wipes: Convenient for quickly cleaning hands and gear.

Lantern or Headlamp: Useful for fishing in the evening or at night.

Summary

Lake Hamana offers easy access and a variety of fishing spots, from well-maintained areas to more natural settings.

With many locations suitable for beginners and families, it’s the perfect place to head out and try your luck at catching seasonal fish!