Common Carp in Japan

Present in most lowland rivers and lakes.

The fish

Japanese: コイ · koi
Scientific name: Cyprinus carpio
Typical size: 40–90 cm (16–35 in)
Water: Freshwater

Across the year

The best month at any of the 2 places we have checked. Each place has its own window, and the season elsewhere in Japan may differ.

Where we have checked it

These are examples, not a complete list. Common Carp is caught far more widely in Japan than the 2 waters below. We list a place only once we have worked out which rules apply there, so the absence of a water means we have not checked it — not that the fish is missing.

Lake KasumigauraIbaraki · FreshwaterApril, May, June, July, August and September are the good months.
Lake BiwaShiga · FreshwaterMarch, April, May, June, July, August, September and October are the good months.