Closed Seasons, Size Limits and Invasive Species
Fish need to keep breeding for fishing to continue, so Korea sets periods and sizes when fish must not be taken. Not knowing the rules doesn't protect you from penalties, so check before you go.
Closed seasons and minimum sizes
A closed season is a period, often the spawning season, when a fish must not be caught. A minimum size means fish at or below that length must not be kept. Sea species are covered by the Fishery Resources Management Act enforcement decree and freshwater species by the Inland Water Fisheries Act enforcement decree. These were checked in October 2026:
| Species | Size limit (total length) | Closed season |
|---|---|---|
| Black sea bream | 25 cm or less | May 1–31 |
| Red sea bream | 24 cm or less | None set |
| Striped beakfish | 24 cm or less | None set |
| Olive flounder | 35 cm or less | None set |
| Korean rockfish | 23 cm or less | None set |
| Dark-banded rockfish | 15 cm or less | None set |
| Pacific cod | 35 cm or less | Jan 16 – Feb 15 |
| Mandarin fish | 18 cm or less | About 40 days in April–June, depending on region |
Rules change and regional exceptions exist. Before a trip, check the latest official text from Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the national law information center.
Never release bass or bluegill
Largemouth bass and bluegill eat native fish and are designated ecosystem-disturbing species in Korea. The Ministry of Government Legislation has interpreted releasing a live one back into the water after catching it as a prohibited "release" under the law. Don't throw them back: put them in the collection bins at the water or take them home. Some local governments even buy them back.
Other rules to follow
- Don't fish in no-fishing zones, drinking-water protection areas or restricted areas such as tetrapods.
- Take home trash, leftover bait and broken line. Discarded line is dangerous to birds and fish.
- Keep only what you need and release small fish quickly.