Daian Trout Lake? - in one word, it’s a “large fishing lake,” conveniently located in the cool Suzuka Mountain Ranges near the city of Nagoya in the heart ｏｆ Japan.

The size is about 30000 meters squared (7.5 acre) ; approximately 3 or 4 times the size of a soccer field.

Originally created 400 years ago for agricultural purposes, this is as close as you can get to a natural lake. The deepest regions of the lake measure in excess of 5 meters (17 feet). The average temperature of the water in Winter is 4, 5 degrees Celsius(41 Fahrenheit)and in Summer rises to over 20 (68 F.) degrees.

DTL is stocked with fish born in hatcheries brought in exclusively for lure & fly fishing. The vast majority is rainbow trout, but other fish include Browns, Char and Itou. The size of the fish vary from 20 cm (9 inch) to 80 cm (30 inch).

Due to the high water temperatures from July-September, fishing is nearly impossible and DTL is closed. DTL  reopens in October and is open every day from October through June.

In essence, this type of “fishing lake” is a Japanese original. This type of fishing is scarce throughout the world. At present, similar fishing spots are found all over Japan. The following are some reasons why DTL and similar “fishing lake” are popular.

1. Japanese LOVE to fish.

2. With exception of Hokkaido, all of Japan’s lakes and rivers prohibit fishing from October through February.

3. The trout found in Japan’s lakes and rivers are extremely small. Trying to get something over 30 cm (12  inch)  is difficult, but in “fishing lake” it’s relatively simple.

4. It’s hard to concentrate in natural rivers and lakes due to the overwhelming number of fishermen.

5. Japan’s natural rivers and lakes are planted with fish born in hatcheries. According to one source, 95% of all

    fish found in Japan’s natural rivers and lakes are planted.

Outline of Daian Trout Lake

Size approx. 30000 square meters (7.5 acre) 

Although the lake itself is located in a beautiful natural setting, the city of Nagoya is only about 1 hour away. Nagoya city is located in the center of Japan.

Accommodation:

Parking lot, manager’s office, lounge, bathrooms, rental boats, running water, inlets, BBQ-friendly areas, drink dispensers and the DTL shop, where your needs for lures, flies, hooks and all sorts of other equipment are met.

Types of Fish

Rainbow Trout, Char, Brown Trout, Itou

Fishing Methods

Lure and Fly fishing ONLY.

Operating Hours & Dates

We are open for business every day from sunrise till sunset starting October and ending in June. The months of July, August and September are closed.

Misc.

Due to the amount of fish we stock because we employ “catch and release”, there are plenty of fish to go around. The fish quickly become accustomed to their new home and put up quite a fight. There are also trout that have survived the summer.

There’s fun for every level - from beginners to experts. If you’re ever in need of assistance, there is always someone there who is familiar with lure and fly-fishing who would love to help you. For those of you that think you’d like to sharpen your skills, we also offer a tying and casting school.

Rules and Regulations

1. For safety purposes, please use only barb less hooks.
2. The use of worms & baits are prohibited
3. You can take home up to 3 fish.
4. The use of electric and motor-powered boats are prohibited
5. Designated areas separate lure & fly fishing.
6. DTL can not be held liable for any accidents occurred on the premises.
7. Littering is prohibited.

In Japan, fishing is extremely popular. Surrounded on all sides by water, Japan is the ideal location for sea fishing. Fish play an integral part in Japan’s food supply and the fishing business has been very popular.
Although Japan is a small island-nation, it’s a beautiful country blessed with a magnificent display of nature. The high mountains are over 3000 m (10000 feet) in altitude and when  winter comes, all of these high mountains are draped in snow. The cool and clear water that runs down from these mountains provide homes to these unique Japanese trout.

However, the vast majority of the trout fished in Japan are stocked. It is believed that even the trout found in natural rivers are 95% (if not more) stocked fish. But because these stockfish are sent out into nature to grow and mature, they are extremely beautiful and almost impossible to tell apart from natural trout.

The following are fish indignant to Japan. Although they are referred to as “trout” they are really part of the salmon family.

Trout

Cherry trout
(Yamame)

May trout
(Amago)

Char

Japanese char
(Iwana)

White spotted char
(Amemasu)

Dolly varden
(Oshorokoma)

Other

Taimen (Itou)

Dog salmon

Pink salmon

Aside from Japan’s indignant fish, there have been fish imported from overseas whom have found a permanent home; rainbow trout are believed to be one of these species. Rainbow trout are unarguably the largest in number, but there are a few other fishes such as the brown trout, brook trout and the lake trout that have made Japan their home.

Before rivers were regulated by dams, it is believed that after the trout were born, they returned to the ocean where they grew up. But recently, due to dams and other barriers, only a small fraction of trout ever make it to the ocean.

For instance, Cherry trout (Yamame) and May trout (Amago) go to the ocean, increase in size and then return to the rivers. We call these Sakura (Cherry) and Satsuki (May) salmon and they vary in size from 40-70 cm (16-28 inch).

Adapting to these changes, these fish have made dams to be their replacement for the ocean and provided anxious fishermen with much enjoyment.

In Hokkaido, Japan’s uppermost region, there are still a few rivers unregulated by dams. In these rivers, the trout still practice the dying art of traveling to the ocean and returning to rivers.

And of course, there are plenty of Salmon. The steelheads that so many of have a common interest in are unfortunately not found in Hokkaido. But recently, it has been proven that a small number of Steelheads live in these rivers. Furthermore, it is believed that by planting a small number of Steelheads in Hokkaido, the chances of Steelheads making a permanent home are exceptionally well.

Even a fish that has maintained anonymity from the fishing world such as the Itou are found in Hokkaido. This is Japan’s largest fresh-water fish and grows up to 130 cm (52 inch). In the past, it is even said that Itou measuring 2 meters (80 inch) were caught. But recently, there has been a sharp decline in the number of Itou, though there have been reports of sightings in parts of Russia and Mongolia.

In addition, Hokkaido has a natural beauty that is unmatched by any other area in Japan. The land, extremely spacious, is blessed with a beautiful green scenery in the summer months and coated with crystal white snow in the winter. For the reasons and much much more, the trout indigenous to Hokkaido show a significant difference in comparison to trout found in other regions of Japan.

Here in Japan, lure and fly fishing are extremely popular. And although the styles may have changed during the past 10 years, this type of fishing has gained popularity with ease and succession. Before lures and flies, bait fishing was the dominant fishing method and fishing was not so popular.

In Japan, lure fishing, along with Bass fishing, has centered itself around trout and is continuing to develop in many ways. In the past, only a small number of enthusiasts used lures to catch trout, but recently, Japan has witnessed a sharp increase in the number of sports-fishermen and popularity.

Fly fishing has also become very popular. Due to the decreasing population of fish, fishing has become more challenging than ever. And maybe it’s because of this, Japan’s sports-fishermen have developed great skill and employ a wide range of techniques.

It’s pretty safe to say that lure & fly fishing developed in places like DTL. Many anglers train in these “fishing lakes” and practice what they learn here in nature.

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