Asia
Fishing in
South Korea 2026.
Fishing License & Permit · Fishing Times · Waters & Fish Species · Cost Overview
🌙Fishing Times 2026Best fishing times
·South Korea35.91°, 127.77°
01
Fishing License & Permit
- License required?
- Yes
- Where to apply?
- At local fishing clubs, tackle shops or at pay lakes (Naeracksi).
- Cost
- Freshwater fishing permit: From 5.000-20.000 KRW (~3-14 EUR). Coast: Often free.
- Validity
- Day or season tickets
- Available online?
- Yes
South Korea has a HUGE fishing culture — over 8 million anglers! Coastal fishing and Squid-Jigging are national hobbies. Night fishing from the harbor for squid is a unique experience. Pay lakes (Naeracksi) are everywhere.
Buy fishing license for South Korea online
Official authority website
Book fishing tours in South Korea
Guided tours with local experts — recommended by locals
02
Rules & Regulations
- Closed seasons
- Few formal closed seasons for sport anglers. Regional restrictions.
- Catch limits
- Moderate limits. Pay lakes: Own rules (usually take-home allowed).
- Prohibited methods
- Dynamite, poison prohibited. Nets only for commercial fishermen.
- Catch & Release
- Increasing at reservoirs. Pay lakes: Take-home is the standard.
Squid-Jigging at night from the harbor is THE Korean fishing experience! Thousands do it every weekend on the coast.
03
Waters & Fish Species
Top waters
- —Island Jeju (Giant Trevally & Bernsteinmakrele, vulkanische Hotspots)
- —Chungju-Reservoir (Großmaulbarsch & Schlangenkopf, größter Binnensee)
- —Andong-Lake (Bass-Mekka with internationalen Turnieren)
- —Namhae-Coast (Lakebrassen & Tintenfische in malerischen Bayen)
- —Han-River in Seoul (Riverkarpfen & Welse inwithten der Metropole)
Target fish
Freshwater
Reservoirs stocked with Largemouth Bass. Han River. Korean pay lakes everywhere.
Saltwater
Three coasts! East Sea, Yellow Sea, South Sea. Jeju for GT. Squid-Jigging is legendary!
Starting from500 USD / day
Best season: Squid: September-December. Bass: April-October. Jeju GT: Summer. Possible year-round.
04
Practical Information
- Equipment
- EXCELLENT tackle shops! Korean and Japanese brands. High-tech equipment everywhere.
- Fishing guides
- Jeju Charter: 200-500 USD/day. Bass Guide: 150-300 USD/day.
- Transport
- Flights to Seoul (Incheon). KTX high-speed train. Rental car. Excellent infrastructure.
- Safety
- Very safe country. Typhoon season (July-September). Heat in summer.
- Customs & taking fish home
- Visa-free for EU citizens (90 days). Fishing equipment no problem.
05
Cost Overview
License fees
Coast: Often free. Freshwater: 3-14 EUR/day. Pay lakes: 15-30 EUR.
Guide prices
150-500 USD/day depending on species and region.
Daily budget
Budget: 40-80 USD. Comfort: 150-400 USD.
Read blog article →
Detailed guide: Fishing in South Korea
Equipment
Recommended fishing equipment
View equipment for South Korea →
Flights
Compare and book cheap flights to South Korea with Kiwi.com
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Airport Transfer
Pre-booked transfer from the airport to your hotel or fishing charter
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Mobile Data
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