Fish farms and rice paddies cover a large percentage of Yijhu Rural Township's land area, and many of the residents - who number fewer than 20,000 - are engaged in food production.

The southern boundary of Yijhu (which is also part of Chiayi County's border with Tainan County) is formed by the Bajhang River, one of South Taiwan's major drainages. This river has its source near Fencihu, and passes through Jhuci, Fanlu, Jhongpu, Chiayi City, and Lucao, before reaching Yijhu and then the sea south of Budai