Korea Winter Ice Fishing Festival (Pyeongchang Trout Festival)

Pyeongchang’s winter trout festival turns a frozen river into a giant outdoor fishing ground, and this tour makes the experience easy to try without buying a rod, chair, or festival ticket. I like the all-in-one fishing setup and the chance to taste your catch grilled on site. The English or Chinese-speaking guide also helps you get started quickly.

I especially like that the day includes round-trip transport from Hongdae and leaves room for other festival activities, including sledding and barehanded fishing. The catch is the weather: temperatures can drop sharply, with one outing reaching minus 12 degrees Celsius, and the long bus ride makes this a full-day commitment.

Key points at a glance

• Fishing gear and a folding chair included: You do not need to bring a rod or arrange a seat on the ice.
• A real winter setting: The festival takes place on frozen water in Pyeongchang-gun, a major Korean trout-producing area.
• Round-trip Seoul transport: Meet at Hongik Univ. Station at 7:30 a.m. and return there around 6:30 p.m.
• Grilled fish costs extra: Your catch can be prepared for you, but meals and personal spending are not included.
• English and Chinese support: The guide helps with instructions and communication during the day.
• Strongest appeal for families: Children and adults can take part, though everyone needs serious cold-weather clothing.

Why this Pyeongchang day trip is worth considering

Ice fishing is not a common Seoul activity. The city offers palaces, markets, cafés, and mountain views, but this tour takes you well beyond the usual urban route. In Pyeongchang, you fish through holes cut into the ice and spend time at a seasonal festival built around trout.

That setting gives the day its appeal. You are not simply watching a winter display or taking a quick photograph. You have a small chair, a fishing rod, and time to try for a fish yourself. The result can be wonderfully simple: sit on the ice, watch the line, and hope something tugs.

The price is about $38.14 per person, which is fair if you want transport, admission, equipment, and guide support in one booking. It is less attractive if you already have a car, fishing gear, or only want a short stop. With roughly ten hours devoted to the outing, you pay partly for convenience and partly for the experience of reaching Pyeongchang without arranging the trip yourself.

The tour is also popular enough to be booked an average of 35 days ahead. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it tells you to plan before your Korea trip rather than waiting until the last minute.

Leaving Hongdae at 7:30 a.m.

The day begins at Hongik Univ. Station, a useful departure point for anyone staying in or near western Seoul. The tour returns to the same area, which keeps the start and finish simple. You do not need to work out a separate intercity transport plan after a cold day outside.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the group can reach as many as 45 people. That size keeps the price down, but it also means this is a shared coach outing rather than a private fishing lesson. You should expect a set schedule and group instructions.

The early departure matters. The festival is not close to central Seoul, and the scheduled arrival is around 11 a.m. If you dislike early mornings, this will feel like a long day. If you want an efficient way to visit a winter festival outside the capital, the timing is practical.

One useful warning concerns the bus itself. Food and drink rules are enforced, so check what you plan to carry before boarding. A small, sensible snack and a drink may be useful during a long day, but do not assume every type of food or beverage is allowed inside the vehicle.

Arriving at Korea’s trout center

Pyeongchang-gun is known as Korea’s largest trout-producing area. The local trout are raised in clear water and are valued for their firm, chewy texture. That gives the festival more purpose than a generic winter fair: fishing and eating trout are tied closely to the area’s identity.

The festival venue offers more than one activity. Ice fishing is the main event on this tour, but barehanded fishing and sledding are also part of the festival program. The available schedule allows time to look around after fishing, though the included admission specifically covers ice fishing.

You should think of the festival as an outdoor activity site, not a polished indoor attraction. Conditions can be cold, wet, and basic. That is part of the fun, but it also means you need to arrive prepared rather than expect a warm, leisurely sightseeing stop.

Sitting on the ice with your own rod

Around 11:30 a.m., you begin ice fishing. The tour supplies the fishing rod and a small folding chair, so you can sit at your assigned or chosen fishing spot without renting equipment separately. This is one of the clearest advantages of the package.

The chair may sound like a small detail, but it changes the experience. Ice fishing involves waiting, and standing on frozen ground for a long time is uncomfortable. Having a seat lets you settle in and pay attention to the line instead of constantly shifting your feet.

The activity suits adults and children. It is easy to understand, and the guide can explain the basic process in English or Chinese. A fishing license or prior experience is not listed as a requirement. Still, catching a fish is never guaranteed, so you should enjoy the attempt rather than treat the day as a promise of dinner.

That uncertainty is part of the charm. The most exciting moment is the sudden pull on the line, but quiet time is part of the experience too. If you need constant action, the fishing portion may feel slow. If you like trying something new with your family or a companion, it gives the day a clear focus.

One direct review of the experience describes it as especially fun when you catch a fish. That is sensible advice: success adds a real payoff, but the activity should still be worthwhile if your hole stays quiet.

Grilling the catch around 12:30 p.m.

The schedule allows time to taste grilled fish at about 12:30 p.m. This is not included in the tour price, so bring money for personal spending and the meal. The grilled trout is one of the best reasons to fish rather than simply watch other people do it.

The meal also gives you a warm break from the ice, though the supplied details do not specify the exact restaurant or cooking arrangement. You should see it as an optional expense rather than a guaranteed included lunch. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all excluded.

If you catch a fish, ask the guide or festival staff how the grilling process works. The experience is most enjoyable when you understand what is included in the fishing admission and what must be paid for separately. Clear expectations prevent a simple lunch stop from becoming an unpleasant surprise.

You may want to carry extra money for festival activities as well. Admission to ice fishing is included, but the package does not say that sledding, barehanded fishing, or other add-ons are included in the price.

Exploring the festival until 4 p.m.

After the fishing and meal break, the schedule leaves time to tour the ice fishing area and see more of the festival. This portion helps the day feel less repetitive. You can look at other fishing spots, watch the activity around you, and consider trying one of the other festival attractions.

Sledding gives children and families a change of pace. Barehanded fishing offers a very different kind of winter challenge, though the supplied information does not confirm its price or availability on every date. Ask your guide before paying for anything outside the included program.

The open-air setting also means the weather controls the mood. On a mild winter day, the festival can feel playful and social. On a brutally cold day, your priority may simply be staying warm. One outing reached minus 12 degrees Celsius, so do not rely on Seoul’s morning weather forecast alone.

Wear several warm layers, insulated footwear, gloves, and a hat. The tour description does not provide a clothing rental service, so assume you must arrive ready for hours outdoors. Hand warmers are a sensible personal addition, though they are not supplied by the tour.

Returning to Seoul around 4 p.m.

The vehicle leaves at about 4 p.m. and is scheduled to reach Hongdae around 6:30 p.m. That makes this a full-day plan, not a half-day activity. You should avoid booking an evening reservation that cannot be changed, since traffic can affect the return time.

The return to Hongik Univ. Station is useful for dinner and evening plans in Seoul. After several hours in the cold, having a simple end point near restaurants and public transport is better than being dropped at an unfamiliar suburban location.

The coach ride is also when the group size becomes most noticeable. A maximum of 45 people allows the operator to offer a relatively low price, but it can mean waiting for everyone to board and follow instructions. The tour is best for people who value convenience over complete freedom.

What the $38.14 price really covers

At about $38.14, the package includes several practical costs:

• Round-trip transport from Hongik Univ. Station
• Admission for ice fishing
• Fishing rod
• Small folding fishing chair
• English or Chinese-speaking guide
• Air-conditioned vehicle

That is good value if you would otherwise need to arrange transport to Pyeongchang, buy or rent equipment, and handle the festival entrance yourself. The included chair and rod are especially helpful for a one-time visit. You do not need to invest in gear for a single winter activity.

The price does not cover meals, personal purchases, medical insurance, or other festival activities not named in the included list. The grilled fish is an extra cost, as are breakfast and dinner. Add those expenses before deciding that this is a very cheap day out.

I would compare the price with your alternatives in Seoul. If your goal is simply to see snow, there may be less expensive options. If you specifically want to fish through ice and eat trout in the place where it is produced, this package offers a practical way to do it.

Who should book this winter outing

I would recommend it most strongly to families with children, couples looking for an unusual winter day, and visitors who want to add a rural activity to a Seoul stay. The fishing is easy to understand, the equipment is supplied, and the guide support removes much of the language pressure.

It also works well for people who do not want to rent a car. Pyeongchang is outside Seoul, and the early pickup plus return transport saves you from planning the route yourself.

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold weather, long coach rides, or activities that depend on luck. A fish is not guaranteed, and the day involves several hours outside. Anyone with medical concerns should note that medical insurance is not included and should arrange suitable coverage independently.

The group size also matters. If you want quiet, private instruction, this is not the right format. If you are comfortable sharing transport and following a group schedule, the setup is straightforward.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is near public transportation at its Seoul meeting point. Most people can participate, and no special fitness requirement is listed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That is useful for a weather-sensitive outdoor plan, though you should still check the exact booking terms attached to your date.

The tour is operated by S.A. Tour. English and Chinese-speaking guides are provided, making this a useful choice if you want help with instructions or communication at the festival.

Plan for a very early start, a late afternoon return, and a cold day. Pack warm clothing, confirm bus food rules, and carry money for grilled fish and any optional purchases. Those three steps will make the day much easier.

Should you book the Pyeongchang Trout Festival tour?

Book it if you want a simple, organized way to try Korean ice fishing outside Seoul. The included chair, rod, admission, transport, and guide support give the $38.14 price real value, especially for a first visit. Families and first-time ice fishers are likely to get the most from it.

Skip it if you want a relaxed indoor day, private attention, or a short activity close to central Seoul. The cold can be severe, the coach ride takes time, and a successful catch depends on luck.

For the right person, this is a memorable winter outing built around a clear local pleasure: catch a trout, have it grilled, and spend a day on the ice in Pyeongchang.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Hongik Univ. Station in Seoul, South Korea.

What time does the tour leave Seoul?

The scheduled departure is 7:30 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately 10 hours. The planned return to Hongdae is around 6:30 p.m.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The package includes ice fishing admission, a fishing rod, and a small folding fishing chair.

Is food included in the tour price?

No. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, grilled fish, and personal consumption are not included. Grilled fish can be tasted at your own expense.

Can children participate?

Yes. The ice fishing activity is described as suitable for both adults and children.