The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is an annual winter festival takes place in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do, about 2.5 hours away from Seoul. The area is well known as a haven for winter sports like skiing, and sees an abundant amount of snowfall every year. Bu that’s not all there is to do in the area! Every year, Pyeongchang also hosts the Pyeongchang Trout Festival to celebrate the winter season and take advantage of the frozen rivers. So what are you waiting for? Read our guide below to plan your trip to this can’t-miss Korean winter festival!
👉 Pyeongchang Trout Festival 1 Day Tour from Seoul 👈
1. About the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
When: January 9th ~ February 9th
Where:Â Pyeongchang County, Gangwon-do
Things to do:
- Fishing: Open-ice fishing, Tent fishing, Bare-hands fishing, etc.
- Snow/Ice experience: Snow sledding, Snow rafting, Bumper car, Ice cart, Ice bike, etc.
- Food and shopping: Food court, Grill center, etc.
2. Ice Fishing at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
The main attraction at the festival is, of course, ice fishing, where you attempt to catch fresh trout from a hole drilled into the ice. You can choose between open-ice fishing or tent fishing (these tend to sell out very quickly).
A fishing rod can be purchased which differs in price depending on the type of artificial bait attached to the line.
Be prepared to sit idly by the hole as you bob your rod up and down, waiting for a trout to bite onto the bait. Bring your own foldable chair or purchase one on-site for comfort! you don’t want to have a cold bottom from sitting on the snow and ice!
*Ice fishing is only available depending on the ice conditions. If it is not cold enough, it may not be available as the ice will be too thin, causing it to break easily.
If you’re feeling extra brave, why not try fishing for trout with your bare hands? Brrrr… doesn’t it make you shiver just thinking about it?
You, along with many other brave souls, will enter a large pool full of trout in just a t-shirt and shorts and attempt to grab as many as you can.
3. Eating at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
One of the best parts of this festival is that you get to feast on what you’ve caught afterward! Choose to enjoy your fish processed raw as sashimi or grill it traditionally over firewood by chefs on standby. Don’t worry if you don’t catch any fish as you can buy them at the festival also!
4. Snow & Ice Experience at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
If you’re looking for more than just ice fishing, you’re in for a treat! There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy. Take your pick from snow tubing, ice skating, snow rafting, ice cycling, sledding, spinning rail cars, or riding an ATV (four-wheeler).
5. Best Ways to Get to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
1-Day Join-in Tour
The easiest and most hassle-free way to visit the Pyeongchang Trout Festival from Seoul is by joining Trazy’s 1-day join-in tour! This convenient package includes round-trip transportation from Seoul, an English/Chinese-speaking tour staff, as well as options to pair your trip with nearby ski resorts or strawberry picking!
Private Tour
If you’re staying at Yongpyong or Alpensia Ski Resort, consider joining this private tour to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, departing directly from these ski resorts. Take a break from the slopes and explore the beauty beyond the resorts! You can also customize your tour with other options like Woljeongsa Temple, Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, Gangneung, and more.
Check out other winter festivals in Korea!
- 2025 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival: Shuttle Bus PackageÂ
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival + Eobi Ice Valley + Garden of Morning Calm 1 Day Tour – from Seoul
- Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival & Cheonjangho Suspension Bridge at Cheongyang Alps Village (+ Winter Activities/Strawberry Picking)
- Pocheon Romantic Winter Wonderland Tour from Seoul
Hope you enjoyed reading this blog! We will come back with more winter travel updates in Korea!
And don’t forget to check out Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop, for the latest, trendiest, and newest things to do in South Korea.
Photo Credits:
Pyeongchang Trout Festival Official Website
May I know whether there is any big luggages storage place or locker in the Pyeongchang Trout Festival?
Hi Jeck! There were lockers in the festival venue for last year but we cannot guarantee there will be lockers this year, too. For more details, please keep following us and send us an email to experience@trazy.com in December. 🙂
Hi can I check what’s the start date for the festival?
Hi Tre! The festival will be held from Dec 28th, this year. You won’t want to miss the Pyeongchang Trout Festival tour packages. Please visit our website and check the deal pages here: https://www.trazy.com/search/activities?keyword=pyeongchang%20trout