Yanzhou Island Fishing Experience 2026: Join Local Fishermen on Pristine Waters

Overview

Yanzhou Island fishing: join Dengxin Village fishermen on half-day or full-day trips
Activities: net throwing, crab trapping, squid jigging, sea fishing from traditional wooden boats
Availability: year-round, peak October–May
Group size: 2–8 persons per boat
Cost: ¥150–350/person depending on trip type
Note: Summer months (June–September) closed for local fishing moratorium

What Makes This Experience Special

Dengxin Village fishermen have worked the waters around Yanzhou Island for four generations. Unlike tourist fishing operations that use converted speedboats, Dengxin Village trips use traditional flat-bottomed wooden boats — the same design used for 200 years in these waters.

This is not a theme-park fishing experience. You will cast traditional hand nets, sort your catch by species, and eat what you caught for breakfast or lunch on the boat. The experience is what the local fishermen actually do — minus the commercial packaging.

Fishing Calendar: Year-Round Seasons

Month	Main Catch	Trip Type	Notes
January–February	Sea bream, mackerel	Morning net throwing	Cold water; big fish close to shore
March–April	Squid	Evening squid jigging	Night squid jigging most popular
May–June	Mud crab, shrimp	Morning crab trapping	Mud crab season; easy, productive catches
July–August	CLOSED	—	Local fishing moratorium; no trips
September	Reopen; squid begins	Evening squid jigging	Transition month
October–December	Squid, sea bream, pomfret	Morning fishing / squid jigging	Premium fish season; Nov–Dec best for sea bream

Trip Options in Detail

Morning Net-Throwing Tour: 04:00–08:00

Duration: 4 hours; Cost: ¥150/person (minimum 3 persons)
What you do: accompany the fisherman as he sets traditional cast net; learn to identify fish species
Breakfast included: fresh noodles or congee cooked on the boat with the morning’s catch

Full-Day Fishing Experience: 06:00–14:00

Duration: 8 hours; Cost: ¥280/person (minimum 2 persons)
What you do: deeper water fishing with hand lines; net setting; crab trapping; squid jigging (seasonal)
Lunch included: fresh catch prepared by the fishermen’s family in Dengxin Village after return

Evening Squid Jigging: 19:00–22:00

Season: September–April; Cost: ¥180/person
What you do: traditional squid jigging with brush-style jigs under lanterns
Catch: typically 5–15 squid per person; fishermen clean and pack your catch

Crab Trapping: Morning Session 06:00–10:00

Season: May–October; Cost: ¥200/person
What you do: set crab pots, haul and sort catch; learn to identify male vs. female crabs

What to Expect on the Water

Traditional wooden boats are 6–8 meters long, flat-bottomed, and stable in the shallow bay waters. Life vests are provided and their use is mandatory. Trips depart from the Dengxin Village dock. The fisherman will cancel if sea conditions are unsafe — this is non-negotiable and no payment is required in such cases.

How to Book & What to Bring

Advance booking: minimum 1 day ahead; 3 days ahead for groups >5 persons
Cancellation: weather-dependent; full refund if sea conditions unsafe
Clothing: quick-dry layers; sun hat; light windbreaker for morning sessions
Footwear: non-slip shoes or water shoes (wet deck is normal)
Sun protection: SPF 50+ and lip balm — no shade on the boat
Motion sickness: take medication if susceptible — even calm bay waters can be choppy in afternoon

Author’s Tip: Book the morning fishing trip (04:00–08:00 AM) rather than the afternoon option. Morning trips have calmer water, better catch rates, and the sunrise over the Dengxin Village sea is a photographer’s dream. The fishermen are more willing to explain their techniques during the quieter morning hours.

Author’s Tip: The best part of this experience is not the fish — it is the story. These fishermen have worked these waters for generations. Ask them about the old days, about the changes in the sea, about how they read the tides. That is the real catch. Also: ask to learn the traditional net-throwing technique — it takes practice but the fishermen will teach you.

Author’s Warning: The fishing experience operates October–May only. Summer months (June–September) are closed for the local fishing moratorium. Trips are weather-dependent — heavy rain or strong wind cancels the morning session with full refund. Bring motion sickness medication if you’re prone to seasickness, even on the calm bay waters.

Real Visitor Voice: “My kids (ages 9 and 12) absolutely loved the crab-trapping section. The fisherman taught them to identify male vs. female crabs and they spent an hour happily sorting their catch. The included breakfast of fresh noodles with the morning’s catch was outstanding.” — Family Chen, visitors from Guangzhou

Yanzhou Island Fishing Experience 2026: Join Local Fishermen