Korea Winter Ice Fishing Festival (Pyeongchang Trout Festival)

Pyeongchang Trout Festival turns a frozen lake into a temporary fishing village, with holes cut through the ice, small tents, folding chairs, and trout swimming below your feet. The all-in fishing setup is the big draw: you do not need to bring a rod or rent a chair after arriving. I like the easy transport from Seoul and the chance to eat the fish you catch, though grilled fish and other meals cost extra.

I also like that this is not just a fishing stop. You can try sledding or barehanded fishing, and Chinese or Cantonese guide support helps families and mixed-language groups follow instructions. The catch is the weather. At minus 12 degrees Celsius, fishing becomes a serious cold-weather test, so warm clothing matters more than enthusiasm.

Key points to know before booking

• Frozen-lake fishing near Pyeongchang: The festival takes place in one of South Korea’s best-known trout-producing areas.
• Rod, chair, and fishing admission included: You receive the basic gear needed to fish without arranging rentals on your own.
• Early 7:30 a.m. departure from Hongik University Station: The long day includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and a return to Hongdae around 6:30 p.m.
• More than one winter activity: Sledding and barehanded fishing give you options if the trout are not biting.
• Cold can be intense: A fishing day at minus 12 degrees Celsius requires serious layers, gloves, and protection for your feet.
• Food is extra: You pay separately for grilled fish, lunch, drinks, and other personal purchases.

Why Pyeongchang is a good place for ice fishing

Pyeongchang-gun is known as Korea’s largest trout-producing area, and the festival makes that local product the center of the day. The trout are raised in clear water and are valued for their firm, chewy texture. You are not simply looking at a frozen pond for a photo. The point is to catch a fish, handle the equipment, and decide how you want to enjoy it afterward.

The festival setting also gives the outing a seasonal character that a standard city tour cannot match. Ice fishing is a distinctly Korean winter activity, and the combination of frozen water, temporary shelters, fishing holes, and outdoor games makes the day feel tied to the season.

Still, you should keep your expectations sensible. Catching a trout is possible, not guaranteed. The activity is most rewarding if you enjoy the process, the cold-weather setting, and the novelty of fishing through ice. If you need a packed schedule of major sights, this tour may feel slow.

Leaving Seoul at 7:30 a.m. from Hongdae

The meeting point is Hongik University Station in Seoul, with the same location used for the return. Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., so plan to arrive early and allow time to find the correct station exit and group.

The drive is a major part of the day. Pyeongchang is outside Seoul, and the schedule allows roughly three and a half hours to reach the festival, followed by a return journey of similar length. That makes this a practical way to visit without arranging intercity transport yourself, but it also means you spend many hours on the road.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group can reach up to 45 people. A group this size keeps the price reasonable, but it can also make departure instructions and meeting times important. Listen carefully when the guide explains where to return and when to board.

One useful warning comes from the bus rules. Food and drinks may be restricted according to the vehicle’s policy, so do not assume you can bring any snack or beverage you like onto the bus. Ask the guide before opening food, especially on the long ride back.

Arriving at the festival around 11 a.m.

The planned arrival is about 11 a.m., followed by time to get oriented before fishing begins at 11:30. Admission to the ice-fishing area is included, as are the fishing rod and a small folding chair.

That included equipment matters. Ice fishing is a specialized activity, and bringing your own gear from Seoul would be awkward. The chair also makes a difference because you may spend a long period sitting beside your hole rather than moving constantly.

A tent is included in the program description as part of the fishing setup. Use it as a shelter from the wind, but do not treat it as a warm indoor room. At the festival, much of the appeal is being outside on the ice, and the air can be painfully cold when the temperature drops well below freezing.

The guide is there to explain the basic process and help with communication. English and Chinese-speaking guide support is listed, with Chinese and Cantonese assistance available. That makes the activity easier for families and groups who do not want to work through every instruction alone.

Fishing through the ice from 11:30 a.m.

The central activity begins at 11:30. You take your place, use the supplied rod, and fish through an opening in the frozen surface. The folding chair lets you settle in instead of standing the entire time.

This is where patience becomes part of the experience. The most exciting moment is a bite, but the quiet waiting is also part of ice fishing. If you catch a trout, you have the satisfaction of doing the main task yourself. If you do not, the festival still offers other activities, but fishing remains the reason to book.

The cold changes the rhythm. At minus 12 degrees Celsius, fingers and toes can become uncomfortable quickly. Wear several warm layers, thick socks, gloves that still allow you to grip the rod, and shoes suited to cold outdoor conditions. The supplied chair and tent improve comfort, but they do not replace proper winter clothing.

The activity is described as suitable for both adults and children. That makes it a possible family outing, especially for children who enjoy hands-on activities. You should still judge your own child’s tolerance for cold and waiting time. A child who wants constant action may prefer the sledding area to a long spell beside a fishing hole.

Grilled trout at your own cost around 12:30

The schedule allows time around 12:30 to taste grilled fish. This meal is not included, so bring money for lunch and personal spending. If you catch a trout, having it prepared for eating adds a satisfying local touch to the day.

Do not count on the tour price to cover lunch, breakfast, dinner, or drinks. The package includes the festival admission and fishing equipment, but all meals are separate. Planning for this expense helps you compare the tour fairly with other winter outings.

Food timing also matters because the fishing period begins before lunch. You may want to eat something before leaving Seoul, while still following the bus rules about what can be carried onboard. The supplied schedule gives you a clear lunch window, but the exact food experience depends on what you choose to purchase at the festival.

More festival time from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

After the meal, the schedule allows further time to tour the ice-fishing area and enjoy the festival. Sledding and barehanded fishing are listed as additional activities. These options help break up the day and are especially useful if you are accompanying children or if the trout are not cooperating.

Barehanded fishing is exactly the sort of unusual winter activity that gives the festival its character. It is not a refined indoor attraction. You should expect a playful, physical activity in cold conditions, with the fun coming from trying something you would not normally do in Seoul.

Sledding offers a simpler change of pace. It requires less concentration than fishing and can give you a reason to move around and warm up. The festival time is long enough to choose your own mix rather than spending every minute at the fishing hole.

The five-hour festival visit gives you room to try different activities, but it can also feel lengthy in severe weather. Keep your plans flexible. If you are cold, use the available shelter and change activities instead of forcing yourself to continue fishing.

Returning to Seoul around 4 p.m.

The group is scheduled to leave at 4 p.m. and arrive back in Seoul around 6:30 p.m., with the day ending at Hongdae. This is a full ten-hour outing from departure to return.

The return timing works well if you want an organized day trip without finding a way back from rural Pyeongchang. It is less attractive if you dislike long coach rides or want a relaxed afternoon in Seoul. The trip is best viewed as a full-day seasonal excursion, not a quick add-on.

The shared bus also creates a few practical limits. Stay aware of the meeting time, keep your belongings together, and follow the guide’s instructions about food and drinks onboard. A little discipline prevents a cold wait or a missed departure.

What the $38.14 price really covers

At $38.14 per person, the price is reasonable for a full-day outing if you value transport and equipment. The cost includes the air-conditioned vehicle, festival admission, the ice-fishing chair, fishing equipment, and professional English or Chinese-speaking guide support.

Those inclusions remove several hassles. You do not need to find your own way from Seoul, locate a rod rental, or pay a separate admission fee at the ice-fishing area. For a first ice-fishing experience, that straightforward arrangement has real value.

The total cost will be higher once you add food and personal purchases. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, medical insurance, and other personal spending are excluded. The price is strongest for someone who wants a simple package and already understands that lunch and extras come separately.

The tour is booked about 35 days ahead on average, which suggests that winter dates can fill well before the festival day. If your Seoul visit is fixed around a particular weekend, booking early is sensible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, according to the stated policy.

Who will enjoy this winter day trip

I would choose this tour for a first-time visitor who wants a distinctly seasonal activity without handling rural transport. It also suits families, couples, and friends who like trying something hands-on rather than spending the whole day sightseeing from a bus.

The Chinese or Cantonese guide support is useful for groups that prefer those languages, while English support is also listed. The group size can reach 45 people, so this is not a private outing. You are paying for access and convenience, not a quiet custom-designed fishing trip.

The tour is less suitable if you dislike cold weather, long coach rides, or activities that depend partly on luck. It is also not the right choice if your main goal is a guaranteed catch or a warm, comfortable lunch included in the price.

Practical packing advice for a minus 12 degree day

The most important tip is simple: dress for the coldest possible conditions, not for Seoul’s temperature at departure. The recorded minus 12 degree day shows how sharp the weather can feel at the festival.

Bring warm layers, a winter coat, gloves, a hat, and thick socks. Shoes should keep your feet warm while you stand or sit on ice. Hand warmers would be sensible, though they are not included in the tour.

Keep your packing light enough for the bus and make sure anything you bring can stay with you. Food and drink rules apply on the vehicle, so check with the guide before carrying snacks or hot beverages onboard.

Should you book the Pyeongchang ice-fishing tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, organized introduction to Korean ice fishing and you are ready for a very cold, very long day. The included rod, chair, admission, transport, and guide support make the package easy to use, while sledding and barehanded fishing give you alternatives if the catch is slow.

Skip it if you want a short excursion, guaranteed fish, or an included meal. For the right person, though, the chance to sit on a frozen lake, try for Pyeongchang trout, and finish with optional grilled fish is a memorable winter experience that is hard to reproduce in Seoul.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins and ends at Hongik University Station in Seoul, South Korea. The scheduled return is to Hongdae.

What time does the tour leave Seoul?

Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts approximately 10 hours. The planned return to Seoul is around 6:30 p.m.

Is ice-fishing admission included?

Yes. Admission to the ice-fishing activity is included in the tour price.

Are the fishing rod and chair included?

Yes. A fishing rod and fishing chair rental are included. The program also provides a tent as part of the fishing setup.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and personal purchases are not included. Grilled fish is available at your own expense.

Can children take part?

The activity is described as suitable for both adults and children, and most participants can take part. The day can be very cold, so consider your child’s ability to handle outdoor conditions and waiting beside the fishing hole.