Sancheong-gun, Traditional Winter Nuchi Fishing on Gyeonghogang River Draws Attention

Even a 60cm Nuchi Caught... Abundant Fishery Resources

Sancheong Gyeonghogang is catching winter nuchi using traditional methods. (Photo by Sancheong-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] As the morning low temperatures continue to drop below freezing, residents near the Gyeonghogang River in Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam, who have frozen over, are attracting attention by catching nunchi fish with spears.

Winter nunchi fishing is carried out in the traditional way. First, when the ice is thick enough to clearly see the riverbed, fishermen herd the nunchi schools on the riverbed from the ice surface. When the fleeing nunchi get tired and stop, they make a hole in the ice with an axe or hammer and spear the fish with a long spear to catch them.

The areas around Gyeonghogang and Eomcheongang Rivers, including Geumseo-myeon and Saengcho-myeon in Sancheong, have abundant fish resources such as nunchi and carp due to Sancheong-gun’s continuous fish resource release and protection projects. Nunchi measuring up to 60 cm in length are also caught, making them a winter delicacy for local residents.

Park Seung, a resident of Saengcho-myeon and representative of Saengcho Rice Mill, said, “Residents around the Gyeonghogang River have learned this traditional fishing method from elders since childhood, so when the river freezes, they gather in small groups. Sancheong people also call it ‘Nunchi.’ Thanks to winter, they can catch bigger fish than usual, which is not only satisfying to catch but also great for enjoying spicy fish stew.”

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