Korea Winter Ice Fishing Festival (Pyeongchang Trout Festival)

Pyeongchang Trout Festival gives you a chance to fish through a frozen surface in one of Korea’s main trout-producing areas. The day runs about 10 hours from Seoul, with roughly five hours at the festival and ice-fishing admission and equipment included.

I like two things about this outing: you don’t need to bring fishing gear, and the included chair makes a long spell at the ice hole more comfortable. I also like that the festival offers more than one way to enjoy the winter setting, including sledding and barehanded fishing, though you should check which activities cost extra.

The main drawback is the cold. One outing took place at -12°C, and the bus has strict rules about the food and drinks you can bring aboard. This is a day to prepare carefully, not to count on warming up once you arrive.

• Fish on the ice: Admission, a rod and fishing equipment, and a chair are included for the ice-fishing session.
• Round-trip Seoul transport: Meet at Hongik University Station at 7:30 a.m. and return there in the evening.
• About five hours at the festival: The schedule leaves time to fish and explore, though the day is long because of the drive.
• Guides in English and Chinese: The tour includes professional English- and Chinese-speaking guides, with Chinese and Cantonese support described.
• Grilled trout costs extra: A tasting stop is scheduled, but meals and personal purchases are not included.
• Bring cold-weather gear: A reported day reached -12°C, so warm clothing is essential.

From Hongik University Station to Pyeongchang

Your day starts at Hongik University Station in Seoul, with departure scheduled for 7:30 a.m. The tour returns to the same station, with arrival planned for about 6:30 p.m. That makes this an easy-to-understand round trip, but it is still a full day out.

The drive is a substantial part of the experience. The schedule puts arrival at the festival around 11 a.m., roughly three and a half hours after leaving Seoul. Allow for the possibility that winter roads or the day’s operating conditions could affect timing; the posted times are a plan, not a promise.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, and the group can have as many as 45 people. That’s a useful detail if you prefer a guided outing to arranging transport and festival entry yourself, but it also means this is not a small, private excursion. Expect to share the ride and follow the guide’s instructions.

Pay attention to what you carry onto the bus. A person who went on a particularly cold day noted that the rules around food and drinks were strict. The exact restrictions aren’t specified, so ask the guide before boarding rather than assuming you can bring a snack or hot drink.

What the fishing setup includes

At the festival, the main activity is ice fishing for trout raised in Pyeongchang’s clear water. The tour includes admission for ice fishing, fishing equipment, a rod, and a rental chair. The advertised setup also mentions a tent, though the exact arrangement and what the tent provides are not spelled out.

Having gear supplied matters if you’re visiting Korea and don’t own fishing equipment. You can try the activity without buying or packing a rod, and the chair is a welcome practical touch when you’re sitting by an ice hole. Still, don’t expect a technical fishing lesson or a guaranteed catch. The available details promise equipment and guided support, not instruction or results.

That uncertainty is part of the fun. Catching a fish can make the outing especially memorable, but you should be ready to enjoy the attempt even if the fish are not biting. If you’re going with a child, the activity offers a shared goal and something hands-on to do together. One father and son made it a special part of a winter-break visit, a good reminder that the experience can be as much about the day together as the catch.

The guides speak English and Chinese, and Cantonese support is also described. No guide names are provided, so you can’t request a particular person based on the information available. The practical advantage is communication during a group activity, where clear directions help you understand the schedule and follow the festival arrangements.

Five hours at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival

The festival is scheduled as the tour’s only stop, with around five hours on site. You arrive at about 11 a.m., begin fishing around 11:30, and have a grilled-fish tasting opportunity at 12:30. The schedule then allows more time for ice fishing before the return journey begins at 4 p.m.

That block of time gives you a real chance to settle into the activity rather than making a brief photo stop. It also means the visit is centered on the festival, not on a broader tour of Pyeongchang. If you want a day packed with several cultural or scenic stops, this isn’t the right format. If you want one unusual winter activity with transport and entry handled, the focused schedule makes sense.

The festival is held in Pyeongchang-gun, known as Korea’s largest trout-producing area. The local trout are described as having a firm, chewy texture. That regional connection adds a welcome point of interest: this is not just a novelty activity set up anywhere, but a festival tied to the area’s trout production.

Ice fishing is the included activity. The festival also features barehanded fishing and sledding, but their availability as part of this specific tour, and any extra charges, are not confirmed. Treat them as possible festival options rather than included tour benefits, and ask your guide or check on site before setting your plans around them.

Grilled trout, lunch, and extra costs

At 12:30, the schedule makes room for tasting grilled fish. This is at your own expense, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all excluded from the tour price. So the advertised tasting is an opportunity to buy food, not a meal included with your ticket.

Budget for lunch and any personal purchases separately. The price is listed at $38.14 per person, which covers a useful bundle: round-trip transport, festival admission for ice fishing, a chair, fishing equipment, and guide support. For someone without a car or gear, that package offers practical value. It is less of a bargain if you’re expecting meals or every festival activity to be covered.

The experience has an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 from four reviews, a small sample that should not be treated as a firm verdict. The positive impressions focus on the excitement of fishing, the memorable father-and-son outing, and a guide who gave clear instructions. Those are good signs for a simple, activity-first day, but they don’t erase the real drawbacks of cold conditions, a long drive, or the possibility of going home without a fish.

Dressing for a day at -12°C

Cold is the practical issue most likely to shape your enjoyment. One outing took place at -12°C, which is cold enough to make long stretches outdoors uncomfortable if you arrive in light clothing. The supplied information doesn’t give a packing list, but warm layers, gloves, and a hat are sensible basics for an outdoor winter activity.

Think about how you handle cold before booking. If you enjoy winter activities and can dress for the conditions, the frozen setting is part of the appeal. If you dislike standing or sitting outside in freezing weather, five hours at the festival may feel like a long time, especially if fishing is slow.

The chair helps, but it is not a substitute for warm clothing. Nor should you assume that the tent will function as a heated shelter; no heating or indoor facilities are specified. Plan for cold exposure, and ask the operator about any gear or facilities you need to know about before departure.

Who will get the most from this outing

This tour suits adults and children who want to try a distinctly wintry activity without arranging their own transport or equipment. It can be a good choice for a parent and child, or for a group that likes hands-on experiences more than sightseeing from a bus. You don’t need to be an experienced angler to take part, though the information does not promise a beginner lesson.

It also works for visitors who want a guided day with language support. The group size can reach 45, so it’s best if you’re comfortable with a shared tour rather than expecting personal attention throughout. The guide’s role is useful for instructions and coordination, while the fishing itself remains your own experience.

I’d think twice if your schedule is tight or if you want to avoid a long day on the road. The tour leaves Seoul early and gets back around 6:30 p.m., with most of the day devoted to travel and the festival. You’ll also need to cover your own meals and any non-included activities.

Should you book the Pyeongchang Trout Festival tour?

Book it if you want to try ice fishing in Korea and value having transport, entry, fishing gear, and a chair arranged for you. The chance to fish for local trout, plus the prospect of sharing an unusual winter activity with family, gives the day a clear purpose. The price is reasonable for that included package, as long as you account for food and extras.

Skip it if cold weather is a deal-breaker, you want a short excursion, or you need a guaranteed catch. Go prepared for a long bus day, check the food and drink rules before boarding, and bring serious winter clothing. With those expectations in place, this is a practical way to trade a Seoul day for a hands-on festival experience in Pyeongchang.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

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

What time does the tour leave Seoul?

The scheduled departure is 7:30 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The full outing is approximately 10 hours. The planned return to Hongik University Station is around 6:30 p.m.

How much time is scheduled at the festival?

The festival stop is listed as five hours. The day’s schedule places arrival around 11 a.m. and departure at 4 p.m.

Is ice-fishing admission included?

Yes. The tour includes admission for ice fishing.

Are fishing equipment and a chair included?

Yes. Fishing equipment and a rental chair are included. A fishing rod is also described as part of the supplied equipment.

Are meals included?

No. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are not included. Grilled fish is available to taste at your own expense.

What languages do the guides speak?

The tour includes professional English- and Chinese-speaking guides. Chinese and Cantonese guide support is also described.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 45 people.