Ecological characteristics of landlocked and anadromous populations of Hypomesus nipponensis were investigated from December 2008 to April 2009 in the Soyangho (landlocked population) and Hyangho (anadromous population). Morphological differences between the landlocked and anadromous populations were not found. The spawning season was March in the Soyangho and late February in the Hyangho. Individuals of both populations were sexually mature at sizes over 60 mm total length. Gonadosomatic index of the landlocked population (female: 20.5%, male: 3.7%) was higher than in the anadromous population (female: 17.4%, male: 3.3%). Number of eggs in the ovaries was greater in the anadromous Hyangho (7,325) population and fewer in the Soyangho (4,902) population; this corresponded to the greater total length in the former. Condition factor was 0.6 (0.49~0.74) in the Soyangho population and 0.7 (0.47~0.76) in the Hyangho population. Stomach contents of H. nipponensis consisted mainly of zooplankton and aquatic insects, and the size of prey was larger in the Hyangho population than in the Soyangho population.