Cherry Salmon in Japan

The landlocked form of masu salmon and the classic quarry of Japanese mountain streams.

The fish

Japanese: ヤマメ · yamame
Scientific name: Oncorhynchus masou
Typical size: 20–35 cm (8–14 in)
Water: Freshwater

Across the year

The best month at any of the 4 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. Cherry Salmon is caught far more widely in Japan than the 4 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.

Niseko mountain streamsHokkaido · FreshwaterMay, June, July and August are the prime months.
Kitakami River systemIwate · FreshwaterMay, June and July are the prime months.
Kinugawa systemTochigi · FreshwaterMay and June are the prime months.
Kuma & Kawabe RiversKumamoto · FreshwaterMay, June and July are the prime months.