Daecheong Reservoir (Daecheongho)

Korean bass anglers are reverant to Daecheongho, and many youtube anglers fish Daecheong exclusively. Situated near the city of Daejeon, it does draw a crowd on the weekends. However, there is more than enough water to fish undisturbed all day. You really need to study the map, because there are so many inflowing streams, bends, and coves. The eastern section of the lake is actually considered a river system. There is a significant amount of commercial fishing on the lake, and much of that is to try and curb the black bass population. The western half of Daecheong, near the dam, is off limits to fishing, and there are police patrol boats (the only lake in Korea where I have seen police boats) and local patrol boats. There is also a lot of recreational boating (perhaps the reason for the police). Some lakeside residents welcome anglers, while others do not- and parking and launch access is limited. 

Daecheong does have some big fish though, and they pull harder and jump more than fish from smaller bodies of water. Fishing there can be intimidating, because of the vast size there are large stretches of dead water. Spending a couple of seasons experiencing the lake in the different seasonal conditions is essential for building confidence. If you are having trouble catching bass, the abundance of bluegill is also an option. Daecheong is home to my favorite bycatch the 눈불개 or “red eye fish” (barbel chub) that grow to impressive sizes, pull harder than any bass their size, and will take topwater. My favorite time of the year for Daecheong is May. The water is high and the smaller male bass are guarding the fry. Try a crease fly or floating minnow imitation (not too big about two and a half inches max) and work the arms off the main lake. The explosive top water eats are sporadic, but it is always a quality fish. Night fishing is also popular as the summer gets hotter. The water levels start to drop in June and more shore access is available. In July there is usually an algae bloom that turns the lake green. Locals like to call it the “green tea latte”. That can make fishing tough. Daecheong is a must visit lake if you are a serious angler.

Daecheongho Map Link