Korea Winter Ice Fishing Festival (Pyeongchang Trout Festival)

The main draw here is simple: you get to sit on a frozen river in Pyeongchang and try catching trout beneath the ice. The package includes a fishing rod and small folding chair, so you do not need to organize the basic equipment yourself.

I like the easy transport from Hongik University Station and the mix of fishing, sledding, and barehanded fishing. I also like that English and Chinese-speaking guides are present, which makes a cold-weather activity much less stressful for families and first-time fishers.

The catch is the weather. One outing reached minus 12 degrees Celsius, so this is not a casual stroll with a light jacket. The long bus day and strict rules about food and drinks on the bus also require a little planning.

Key points before you book

• Fishing gear is included: You receive the ice-fishing equipment, rod, and a small folding chair.
• The day begins early: Pickup is at 7:30 a.m. near Hongik University Station, with a return around 6:30 p.m.
• Pyeongchang trout are the star: The festival is held in one of Korea’s major trout-producing areas.
• More than fishing is available: Sledding and barehanded fishing add variety if the fish are not cooperating.
• Guides speak English and Chinese: You can get help with instructions and communication at the festival.
• Prepare for serious cold: Minus 12 degrees Celsius has been reported on a tour day, so proper winter clothing matters.

Why Pyeongchang turns fishing into a winter outing

Pyeongchang is known for trout raised in clear local waters. The fish are valued for their firm, chewy texture, and the annual festival turns that local food tradition into an outdoor activity.

You are not simply watching a fishing demonstration. You receive a rod, take a position over the ice, and try to bring up your own trout. That hands-on element gives the day a clear purpose, especially for children and adults who have never tried ice fishing.

The festival also offers barehanded fishing and sledding. These extras matter because fishing always includes waiting. If the trout are slow, you can still make the most of the visit instead of spending the entire five hours staring at one hole in the ice.

The setting is seasonal and specific to winter. You will not get this experience in Seoul, and arranging a remote ice-fishing day by yourself would be harder than simply joining a transport-based outing. The tradeoff is that the festival is an organized public event, not a quiet private fishing trip.

Leaving Hongdae at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting point is Hongik University Station in Seoul, and the tour returns to the same area. Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., so you need to be ready early and allow enough time to reach the station.

An air-conditioned vehicle takes you from the city to Pyeongchang. The drive is a major part of the day, but it also removes the need to plan separate train, bus, and local transport connections. For a winter activity outside Seoul, that convenience is one of the package’s strongest points.

The group may include up to 45 people. That is a fairly large coach group, so this is not the right choice if you want a quiet, private guide or a flexible departure time. On the other hand, a larger group can work well for families and solo visitors who prefer an organized outing.

Pay attention to the bus rules. A tour day included a warning about strict limits on the types of food and drinks allowed onboard. It is sensible to check those rules before departure rather than arriving with a breakfast or coffee that cannot be carried on the vehicle.

Arriving at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival

Arrival is planned for about 11 a.m., with ice fishing beginning around 11:30. That leaves roughly five hours at the festival before the group leaves at 4 p.m.

The festival is in Pyeongchang-gun, an area associated with trout production. The clear water used to raise the fish is part of the reason the local trout are known for their texture. The setting gives the meal and the fishing a stronger connection to the region than a standard amusement park activity would have.

Admission is included, as are the fishing chair and equipment. That is important for first-timers. You do not need to figure out which rod to rent or how to bring equipment from Seoul, and the small folding chair gives you a place to sit while you work the hole.

Still, the chair is a practical item, not a comfort guarantee. Sitting on ice in very low temperatures can become uncomfortable quickly. Dress for the coldest part of the day, not for Seoul’s morning temperature. Warm socks, insulated shoes, gloves, and clothing that covers your neck and head are especially important, though the tour information does not provide a detailed clothing list.

Trying your hand at ice fishing

The main fishing session begins at about 11:30 a.m. The appeal is easy to understand: you make a hole in the ice, lower the line, and wait for a trout to take the bait or lure.

For children, the activity has a clear sense of purpose. Instead of only looking at frozen scenery, they have something to do with their hands and a simple goal to follow. Adults may enjoy the same novelty, particularly if this is their first time fishing on ice.

The experience does depend on luck and patience. Catching a fish is not guaranteed, and the cold can make waiting feel longer. One useful attitude is to treat the fishing as the heart of the outing, not as a promise of a full catch.

The guide is there to help with instructions and communication. A past outing included a guide who was described as helpful and direct, which is exactly what you want in cold conditions. Clear instructions matter when you are learning unfamiliar equipment, moving around the ice, or trying to understand where the group should gather.

The English and Chinese guide support also makes this a practical option for families or mixed-language groups. The supplied information does not name individual guides, so you should not expect to request a particular person.

Grilling the catch at 12:30 p.m.

Around 12:30 p.m., you can have fish grilled at your own expense. This is not included in the tour price, so bring a payment method and budget for personal food costs.

The grilled trout option gives the fishing a satisfying finish. Catching a fish is one thing, but eating it soon afterward connects the outdoor activity with Pyeongchang’s local trout culture. If you are visiting with a child, this can also make the day feel like a small food adventure rather than only a sporting activity.

Do not count on this as your included lunch. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not part of the package, and personal consumption is separate. You should plan accordingly, especially since the tour departs Seoul early and does not return until the evening.

Food planning also connects with the bus rules. Since certain foods and drinks may not be allowed onboard, you should confirm what can be carried before you leave. The tour does not promise a set meal, so the grilled fish is an optional purchase, not a guaranteed replacement for lunch.

Sledding, barehanded fishing, and the afternoon session

After the meal period, the schedule allows more time at the festival. At about 1:30 p.m., you continue touring and taking part in the ice-fishing area until the afternoon departure.

Sledding is useful here because it changes the pace. Fishing asks you to sit and wait, while sledding gives children and active adults something more physical to do. Barehanded fishing is another unusual festival activity, though the supplied details do not explain exactly how it is operated or whether it costs extra.

The variety is one of the package’s best features. If you catch a trout quickly, you have other ways to spend the remaining time. If you do not catch one, the day still includes more than a single fishing attempt.

At the same time, five hours at one festival may feel long if you are not interested in cold-weather activities. The schedule gives you room to explore, but it does not offer a separate cultural stop or city sightseeing. I would choose this trip for the winter activity itself, not as a broad tour of Pyeongchang.

Returning to Seoul around 4 p.m.

The group leaves the festival at about 4 p.m. and is expected back at Hongik University Station around 6:30 p.m. In practical terms, you spend about ten hours away from Seoul, with roughly five hours at the festival and the rest divided between transport and gathering.

That makes this a full-day commitment. You should avoid booking evening plans that require an exact arrival time, since road conditions and group movement can affect the return schedule. The end point is convenient for anyone staying near Hongdae, but less convenient if your accommodation is in another part of Seoul and you still need to cross the city.

The return to the same station is helpful. You do not need to search for a different drop-off point after a long, cold day, and the area offers onward access to Seoul’s public transportation.

Is the 38.14 dollar price fair?

At about $38.14 per person, the package includes the parts that can make a remote winter day expensive or awkward: round-trip transport, festival admission, a fishing rod, ice-fishing equipment, a folding chair, and guide support.

That is a reasonable value if you want a ready-made day from Seoul. Renting equipment separately, arranging transport to Pyeongchang, and finding the festival entrance on your own could take more time than the activity itself. The price also removes the need to carry a fishing rod through Seoul.

The value is weaker if you do not plan to fish, sled, or try the other ice activities. Food is not included, and grilled fish costs extra. You should also remember that the price does not include medical insurance or other personal expenses.

I see this as a practical activity package rather than a luxury tour. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and the guide support is useful, but the group can reach 45 people and the day follows a fixed timetable. You are paying for access and convenience, not privacy or a custom schedule.

Who will enjoy this winter day

This outing suits families with children, first-time ice fishers, and adults looking for something different from Seoul’s usual palaces, markets, and shopping streets. The included chair and equipment reduce the learning curve, while the extra activities help keep the day moving.

It can also work well for a parent and child. One outing was described as an exciting chance for a father and his son to try ice fishing together during a winter break. That kind of shared first experience is the strongest reason to book.

You should think twice if you dislike cold weather, long bus rides, or fixed group schedules. A minus 12 degree day is not a small detail. The activity takes place outdoors, and even with a chair, you may spend a long time exposed to winter conditions.

I would also avoid booking this as a food tour. Grilled fish is available at your own expense, but meals are not included and the main purpose is the ice-fishing festival.

Booking details worth knowing

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour operates near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the information does not give a detailed accessibility description, so anyone with specific mobility needs should check with S.A. Tour before booking.

The cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience. That gives you some flexibility, but it does not solve the main winter risk: the need to prepare properly for severe cold.

I would book only after checking the forecast and planning warm clothing. Also confirm the bus food and drink rules, since that small detail caused trouble for one participant. Bring money for grilled fish and other personal purchases, and do not assume lunch is included.

Should you book the Pyeongchang Trout Festival?

Book this tour if you want an easy, affordable route from Seoul to a genuinely seasonal Korean activity. The included rod, chair, equipment, admission, transport, and bilingual guide support make the $38.14 price useful, especially for families and first-time fishers.

Skip it if you want a quiet fishing retreat, a private guide, or a flexible day. The group can be large, the schedule is fixed, meals cost extra, and the cold can be severe.

My practical verdict: this is a good choice for a memorable winter day, provided you treat it as an outdoor festival outing rather than a guaranteed fishing haul. Dress for minus 12 degrees, follow the bus rules, and keep your evening schedule open for the return to Hongdae.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart and return in Seoul?

The tour starts and ends at Hongik University Station in Seoul.

What time does the tour leave Seoul?

Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m.

How long does the full experience last?

The full day lasts about 10 hours. The planned return to Hongik University Station is around 6:30 p.m.

Is ice-fishing equipment included?

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

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included. Grilled fish is available around 12:30 p.m. at your own expense.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes. The activity is described as suitable for both adults and children, and the festival also offers activities such as sledding and barehanded fishing.