Freshwater · April-October; males brightest in early summer

Korean Splendid Dace

Coreoleuciscus splendidus

Korea's most splendid stream fish — 쉬리. A colourful endemic of clean gravel streams whose males shine in metallic green and yellow courtship dress in early summer. It was once a class-II endangered listing but was officially delisted in 2012 — outdated books and sites still list it as protected. Either way, fish by the current rules and treat it as a release fish.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Korean Splendid Dace — Photo: 애니몰로TV, CC BY 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Identifying features

Vivid markings: blue-green brilliance over the back in breeding dress
A black spot at the tail base and brilliant courtship colour
Clear yellow fins on adult males in spawning dress
Slim body of about 3-5 in (8-12 cm)
Forked tail and sharply patterned head

Habits

Daylight schools over gravel
One of the prettiest freshwater fish in Korea
Endemic, and less widespread than in the past
Was listed as a class-II endangered species — officially delisted in 2012; outdated sources still list it as protected
Males glow in summer courtship colour

Distribution

Regional coverage expanding

Where to find them

Yangpyeong valley streams, Gyeonggi-do
Seomjin River mid-reaches
Hoengseong streams, Gangwon-do

Where they live

Cool, clear streams with gravel bottoms in the Han and Seomjin systemsMid-reach streams with moderate flowStreams with healthy fish populations and clean water

How to catch them

Delicate bait fishing over gravel runs River

Rig: Tiny hook with a maggot drifted weightless through shallow, clear gravel runs

Bait/lure: Tiny maggot or insect

Key tip: Fish in daylight — the schools are visible; strike immediately, as tiny hooks get spat fast.

Micro-spinning at pool edges River

Rig: Tiny spinner or dry fly worked slowly through pool tails and shallow runs

Bait/lure: Micro dry fly or tiny spinner

Key tip: Work pool edges; in early summer the males show their full colour.

Best baits & lures

MaggotsTiny insectsTiny bread balls

Techniques for Korean Splendid Dace →

Baseline setup

Rod: Ultralight 5-6 ft stream rod
Line: 1-2 lb monofilament
Terminal: Tiny hooks size 20-24, micro split shot

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

9' 5-weight fly rod outfit

≈ US$180-260

Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.

Flies · Budget

Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)

≈ US$25-40

Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.

Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.

Typical size

Common 3-5 in (8-12 cm); large fish about 5 in (13 cm)

On the table

An ornamental fish; not for the table — most anglers release it.

Similar species

Pale ChubPale chub is a larger, more robust fish without the splendid courtship colour; splendid dace is smaller and Korea's most colourful gravel fish

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

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