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August 02, 2018

A Guide to Fishing in Korea

Expat Guide Korea
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Expat Guide Korea

A Guide to Fishing in Korea

Fishing in South Korea was originally intended for feeding the village people, but in recent years fishing has become popular for more than just putting food on the table; now, it is practiced as a leisure pastime and, in some cases as professional league tournaments. Although professional fishing is still not that popular in Korea, it is growing steadily in popularity, so this article will mostly cover leisure fishing. All You Need To Know About Fishing In Korea: Top Destinations for Lake and Ocean Enthusiasts

 

Permits/licenses

At the time of writing this, there are currently no fishing license requirements in Korea. You can go to any public water (both seawater and inland water) and just go fish. Top 6 Must-Visit Destinations for Passionate Ocean Fishing Enthusiasts

 

Fishing fees

Photo Credit: fishingtv

99% of all Korean waters are free to fish, but some waters have a day ticket price for fishing, and it’s approximately $10. A person will approach you while fishing and ask you for the money. Always ask for ID and a receipt. However, it is extremely rare that you will be charged anything.

Privately owned fisheries (pay ponds) do have daily fishing fees, but the cost is low, and the fish are stocked, so the numbers of fish caught are higher for better enjoyment.

 

Fish limits

Most countries limit the number of fish you can catch or keep. Korea does not have such limitations, but please be considerate of nature and future conservation. There are also no limitations to the number of fishing rods/lines that a single person can use at any one time. In fact, it’s very common to see carp fishermen with up to 10 rods in the water at one time.

 

Three main types of fishing in South Korea, similar to other countries

  1. Sea fishing

  2. Course fishing

  3. Game/sport fishing

 

Sea fishing

Sea fishing in South Korea is very popular. There are multiple species of fish in the Korean coastal waters that can be caught at different times of the year, from flat fish, mackerel, amberjack tuna, sea bass, and even octopus and squid.

A variety of fishing bait works for each type of species. Live worms and frozen shrimps (krill) will catch most species, and using artificial lures can be a very active and fun way to catch certain species.

 

Course fishing

This form of fishing can is done in inland lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, etc. Species such as crucian carp, mirror, common carp, freshwater eels, and some species of catfish are the main target species. A powder/water mixed paste is the most popular method for catching these species, but live baits such as freshwater shrimps and earthworms are also effective for catching fish.

 

Game/sport fishing

Photo Credit: fishingtv

This style of fishing is quickly becoming very popular in South Korea. The target species is mainly Black/Largemouth Bass, with bluegill and snakeheads also popular quarry. The most popular method of catching these fish is fishing with artificial lures and flies. The bass and bluegill were introduced into South Korea in the late 1960s and have quickly spread into almost every inland water system in the country, and they are thriving. They are still considered an invasive species in South Korea and have caused the extinction of some local Korean species, so returning them to the water after capture is very much frowned upon. At this time, there are no laws regarding the release of largemouth bass and bluegill.

There are also professional bass fishing leagues here in Korea. More info about these tournament leagues can be found at their websites; www.sportfishing.co.kr and www.kpfa.co.kr

There are also lots of local bass fishing clubs; more info on these can be found at the 2 above links.

Fly fishing is another fishing method that has become more and more popular over the years. This method is mostly popular for catching the small native Korean trout found in the beautiful crystal clear mountain streams. 

 

Boat fishing in Korea

If you wish to operate a boat in Korea, you must follow the very strict rules of obtaining and carrying a boat operator’s license as below.

If you are operating a boat that has a 4hp motor or below, then you are not required to have a license. However, for anyone wanting to operate a boat with a gas-powered motor of 5hp and above in Korea (Koreans and foreigners alike), a license is required.

There are three levels of licenses:

  1. Number 1

  2. Number 2

  3. Yacht

The good news is that foreigners in Korea can take and complete the Korean boating license tests. There is a 50-question written test in English or Korean which is a multiple choice type exam. Once you have passed the written test, you can take the practical "on-the-water" test. The practical test only takes approximately 10~15 minutes to complete, and it's fairly simple if you have had some previous boating experience. I took the test in 2011, and the examiners spoke rather good English and allowed me to speak only English throughout the exam.

For more information, check out the following link. The link is only in the Korean language, so ask a Korean speaker for assistance - http://www.kcg.go.kr/kcg/main.do

 

Trailering a boat in Korea

Everyone that wants to tow a boat/trailer on Korean roads must have a trailer license by law. I believe that all US military can simply have the trailer part added to their license. But for any non-military, you must take and pass a 10-hour driving course and a 10-minute driving test to legally drive with a trailer here in Korea.

If you already have a regular #1 or #2 Korean license, then it's simply a case of taking a course and test. No written test is necessary!

Getting a Driver’s License in South Korea

The course consists of ten 1 hour sessions which you must complete before being able to take the test. The course and test are done in an 18-wheeler type vehicle (40-foot trailer) and are a 'T' course (drive forward, reverse into space, drive forward out of the space and then reverse back to the start line).

The cost of the course and test in total comes to about 750,000 Korean won. It's expensive but worth it to be legal on the road.

Contact any local driving school for more details.

 

Buying fishing tackle in South Korea

There are several ways to purchase your tackle needs. Just about every city or town has tackle stores where you can buy just about anything you would need for a fun day of fishing. In most cases, each area will have certain types of tackle stores. For example, coastal towns will have sea fishing tackle and baits, whereas inland towns near carp lakes will stock carp fishing tackle and baits, etc.

Probably the most popular and simple way to buy all your tackle needs these days is by utilizing the internet. There are many internet tackle stores available these days where you can purchase all your tackle needs in the comfort of your home or office, and in most cases, the delivery cost is FREE and delivered right to your door. Unfortunately, you will need the help of a Korean speaker as most sites are only available in the Korean language. Below is a list of the most popular stores:

There are also two very popular fishing channels on Korean television: EFTV and FSTV. These channels air fishing shows airing 24 hours per day and can be a great resource for fishing locations, seasonal patterns, and ideas.

 

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