Pyeongchang Trout Festival: Ice Fishing at 700 Meters

Festival Period: January 9 – February 9, 2026 | Location: Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do | Best For: Families, winter activity seekers, food lovers

Each January, a frozen stretch of Odaecheon Stream in Pyeongchang transforms into Korea's largest trout fishing grounds. The festival runs for a full month across the coldest weeks of winter, drawing roughly 1 million visitors annually to this highland village 700 meters above sea level (Pyeongchang County Tourism). This guide breaks down the fishing options, pricing, and practical details for planning your visit.

Hundreds of colorful fishing tents line the frozen Odaecheon Stream, with ice anglers scattered across the white expanse beyond

At a Glance

Why Pyeongchang Became Korea's Trout Capital

Pyeongchang County produces the majority of Korea's farmed trout. The reason comes down to geography: cold, clean water flowing from Odaesan Mountain through high-altitude streams. Trout require water temperatures below 20°C and high oxygen levels to survive—conditions that the Odaecheon's glacier-fed currents naturally maintain.

The festival began over two decades ago as a way to promote local aquaculture during the slow winter tourism season. It has since grown into one of Gangwon Province's flagship winter events, now celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026.

Pyeongchang trout, recognizable by their dark speckled skin and silvery bellies, thrive in the region's pristine mountain waters

Three Ways to Catch Your Fish

The festival grounds span both sides of the frozen stream, with different fishing zones catering to various comfort levels and budgets.

Ice Fishing on the Open River

The main draw. Visitors drill holes through thick ice and drop lines into the frigid water below. The open-air ice fishing zones (얼음낚시 1, 2, 3) accommodate thousands of anglers spread across the frozen stream.

Pricing:

• Basic ice fishing: ₩25,000 (~$18 USD)
• Comprehensive ticket (includes amusement rides): ₩43,000 (~$31 USD)
• Elementary students: ₩20,000–₩35,000

Fishing rods and chairs require separate purchase or rental at on-site vendors. Arrive early—popular spots near the tent zone fill quickly after 10:00 AM.

An aerial perspective reveals the scale: hundreds of anglers dotting the frozen stream, each hovering over their small fishing hole

Tent Fishing for Warmth Seekers

For those who prefer not to freeze, heated tents line the riverbank. Each tent accommodates two people with provided seating. The catch? These require advance online reservation and sell out fast, especially on weekends.

Pricing:

• Tent fishing: ₩39,000 (~$28 USD)
• Comprehensive ticket (tent + amusement access): ₩49,000 (~$35 USD)
• Elementary students: ₩30,000–₩43,000

Note for foreigners: Online reservations are Korean-language only. Call +82-33-336-4000 for English assistance with tent bookings.

Indoor Fishing (The Easy Option)

A climate-controlled indoor facility runs float fishing pools. One fish per person is guaranteed, making this the most reliable option for families with young children or visitors short on time.

Pricing: ₩20,000 (~$14 USD), includes rod rental and one guaranteed catch.

Catching Trout With Your Bare Hands

Beyond fishing rods, the festival runs a bare-handed trout catching zone (맨손잡기, maenson-japgi). Participants wade into a shallow outdoor pool—yes, in winter—wearing provided shorts and water shoes, then attempt to grab slippery trout with nothing but their hands.

Pricing: ₩20,000 (~$14 USD), includes rental of shorts, shirt, water shoes, towels, and single-person locker access.

The water is cold. Very cold. Most participants last 10–15 minutes before retreating to the warming stations. Kids tend to outlast adults.

From bare-handed catching to snow sledding, the festival packs multiple winter activities into one venue

Beyond Fishing: Snow Zone Activities

The adjacent snow playground caters to visitors who came for winter fun rather than fish.

Available activities:

• Snow sledding (눈썰매)
• Snow rafting
• Argo rides (all-terrain vehicles on snow)
• Ice bikes and ice carts

Amusement comprehensive ticket: ₩30,000 (~$21 USD) covers multiple rides with limited uses per attraction.

The illustrated festival map shows fishing zones along the frozen stream (bottom), with snow activities and food stalls clustered near the main entrance (top left)

What to Eat

You caught a fish. Now what?

On-site restaurants will clean, fillet, and prepare your catch for a processing fee (typically ₩5,000–₩10,000 depending on preparation style). Common options:

Hoe (raw): Thinly sliced trout sashimi served with sesame oil, salt, and fresh vegetables. The firm, clean taste reflects the cold-water environment.

Gui (grilled): Whole trout grilled over charcoal. The skin crisps while the flesh stays moist.

Maeuntang (spicy soup): A hot, red-pepper-based stew using the fish parts remaining after filleting. Particularly welcome after hours in sub-zero temperatures.

The festival food court also sells standard Korean winter fare: hotteok (sweet pancakes), odeng (fish cake skewers), and tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes).

What to Wear and Bring

Pyeongchang in January averages -8°C to -15°C (17°F to 5°F). The festival grounds sit on exposed ice with minimal wind shelter.

Essential gear:

• Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
• Insulated waterproof boots with grip soles
• Hand and toe warmers (sold at convenience stores)
• Thick gloves you don't mind getting wet
• Balaclava or face covering for wind protection

Skip if:

• Cotton jeans (they absorb moisture and freeze)
• Fashion sneakers (no traction, no insulation)
• Single-layer jackets

The festival sells emergency gear—gloves, hats, heating packs—but prices run 30–50% higher than in Seoul.

Getting There

From Seoul:

By bus: Express buses depart Seoul's Dong Seoul Terminal for Jinbu Terminal (진부터미널) roughly every 30–60 minutes. Travel time: approximately 2.5 hours. From Jinbu Terminal, the festival grounds are a 5-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk.

By car: Take the Yeongdong Expressway (Route 50) toward Gangneung, exit at Jinbu IC. The festival operates multiple parking lots; expect congestion on weekends after 10:00 AM.

Taxi tip: Show drivers this address in Korean: 평창군 진부면 오대천 평창송어축제장

Planning Tips

Book tent fishing early. Weekend tent slots often sell out within days of opening. Weekday availability is better but still limited.

Arrive before 9:00 AM on weekends. Parking fills quickly, and the best ice fishing spots disappear by mid-morning.

Bring cash. Many vendors and smaller food stalls don't accept cards. ATMs exist on-site but lines build during peak hours.

Check ice conditions. Unseasonably warm winters can delay the festival opening or restrict certain zones. The official website posts daily updates.

Budget 4–5 hours minimum. Between fishing, eating, and potentially trying snow activities, half-day visits feel rushed.

Children under 7 enter free when accompanied by a paying guardian.

Is It Worth the Trip?

Go if: You want a hands-on winter activity beyond skiing, enjoy fresh seafood, or are traveling with kids who need to burn energy outdoors.

Skip if: You're highly sensitive to cold, prefer polished tourist infrastructure, or have limited mobility (the icy terrain is slippery and uneven).

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival delivers a distinctly Korean winter scene—locals huddled over ice holes, families chasing fish with bare hands, steam rising from bowls of spicy soup. It's chaotic, freezing, and memorable in equal measure.

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