Shrimp Fishing in Taiwan: A Fun and Delicious Experience You Should Try (釣蝦）

Have you ever tried catching your own food for dinner?

Shrimp fishing (釣蝦) is a uniquely Taiwanese activity that combines relaxation, fun, and the satisfaction of reeling in your shrimp.

In this post, I’ll introduce you to shrimp fishing in Taiwan, including what it is, where to go, how it works, and some tips to make this activity more enjoyable.

What Is Shrimp Fishing?

Shrimp fishing (釣蝦) is a popular leisure activity in Taiwan where participants catch live shrimp from specially designed pools.

These pools are stocked with freshwater shrimp, and venues provide the necessary equipment, including fishing rods, bait, and buckets for your catch.

Shrimp fishing venues usually have a restaurant on-site. After catching your shrimp, you can have them cooked right there, with options like grilling or stir-frying. These restaurants often have other dishes on the menu, so you can enjoy a full meal along with your fresh catch.

The shrimp commonly used in shrimp fishing venues in Taiwan are Thai prawns (泰國蝦), a species of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). These prawns are large, fast-growing, and thrive in warm freshwater environments. They are known for their tender texture and sweet flavor, which makes them perfect for food.

My Shrimp Fishing Experience

My son and I had our first shrimp fishing experience in the summer of 2022, and we went with his best buddy Lucas and his family.

The water was clear, which made it easy to spot where the shrimp were. We baited our hooks and waited patiently for the shrimp to bite.

Watching the shrimp move around was fascinating, and we quickly learned that shrimp actually crawl backward! It only took a few minutes before one of the shrimp moved to take the bait.

We were a bit nervous about removing the shrimp from the hook. Thankfully, my friend Art stepped in and helped us.

One thing we appreciated about this venue (六隻蝦 in Yilan） was the no time limit, allowing us to stay as long as we wanted and fully enjoy the experience. My friend mentioned that this wouldn’t be the case at a shrimp fishing spot in Taipei, where time limits are usually enforced.

After we were done catching the shrimp, we handed over our bucket of shrimp to the restaurant on-site. We picked how we wanted them cooked—grilled and stir-fried—and ordered a few additional dishes to complete the meal.

Sitting down to enjoy our fresh catch with everyone made the experience even more special. It was such a wonderful and memorable day, filled with laughter, learning, and great food. I’d highly recommend trying shrimp fishing if you’re looking for something fun and unique to do in Taiwan.

Tips For Shrimp Fishing

We learned a few tricks for successfully catching shrimp from our friend Art, who is a “veteran” of shrimp fishing:

  1. Pick the Right Spot: Choose a spot in the pool with shade or areas where bubbles rise to the surface—shrimp tend to gather in these spots.
  2. Adjust the Water Depth: Shrimp crawl along the bottom of the pool, so make sure your hook is just touching the bottom to increase your chances of a bite.
  3. Set Up the Float: Position the float so it stands upright on the water’s surface. This makes it easier to notice any movement when a shrimp takes the bait.
  4. Prepare the Bait: Remove the head and tail of the bait and cut it into small, rice-sized pieces. This makes it easier for shrimp to grab hold of it.
  5. Watch the Float: After casting your line, watch the float carefully. If it suddenly sinks, don’t pull the rod right away. Shrimp often bite the hook and drag it to the bottom before they start eating.
  6. Lift Gently: Wait a few seconds, then gently lift the rod. If you feel the line tighten and a slight backward pull, it means the shrimp is hooked. That’s the time to quickly reel it in!

I hope these tips will help you catch lots of shrimp!

Where to go for shrimp fishing in Taipei

There are plenty of shrimp fishing venues to choose from.

The one that I went to was in Yilan, which is about 1.5 hours from Taipei: 六隻蝦釣蝦場 （Google Maps and Facebook page)

While I don’t have much personal experience, I’ve put together a list of popular spots with Google reviews rated 4.0 or higher.

How Much Does Shrimp Fishing Cost?

Shrimp fishing is a fairly affordable activity, with most venues charging by the hour. In Taipei, the typical rate ranges from NT$350 to NT$600 per hour, making it slightly more expensive than venues outside the city. Some places offer discounts for longer sessions, such as NT$1,000 for three hours.

When I went shrimp fishing in Yilan, the cost was lower, and there was no time limit, so we could stay as long as we wanted. However, pricing and policies may have changed, so it’s always a good idea to check before you go.

If you plan to have your shrimp cooked on-site, many venues charge an additional NT$100 to NT$200 for cooking, depending on the preparation method. Some places also have a full restaurant menu, so you can order additional dishes to enjoy alongside your fresh catch.

Final Thoughts

Shrimp fishing is one of those uniquely Taiwanese activities that’s fun, relaxing, and delicious all at once. My first experience with my son and our friends was filled with laughter, a few surprises (like learning that shrimp crawl backward!), and the satisfaction of catching our own food.

If you’re visiting Taiwan and want to try something beyond the usual tourist attractions, I highly recommend giving shrimp fishing a shot. It’s easy to learn, and even if you don’t catch much at first, the experience itself is enjoyable.

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