📅 2026 Pyeongchang Trout Festival: Complete Guide to Korea’s Iconic Winter Fishing Festival
Dates: January 9 (Fri) – February 9 (Mon), 2026 (32 days)
Location: Odaechon Stream, Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
Theme: Safety First – A Winter Festival for Families, Friends, and Couples
- Webpage: Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Before You Head Out to Nonsan 1950 Romantic Studio
Before you head out, be sure to download Naver Map — Korea’s most reliable navigation app.
It provides accurate walking, driving, and public transportation directions in English, making your travels easier and more enjoyable.
🎣 Must-Try Programs at the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
1️⃣ Ice Fishing & Tent Fishing
Ice fishing on the frozen river is the heart of the festival.
Drilling a hole through thick ice and feeling the pull of a trout is a true Korean winter experience.
Worried about the cold?
The festival also offers heated tent fishing and indoor fishing areas,
making it accessible for everyone.
2️⃣ Bare-Handed Trout Catching
This is the most exciting—and unforgettable—experience of the festival.
Participants enter icy water (about 50 cm deep) wearing short sleeves and shorts
and try to catch live trout with their bare hands.
Cold? Absolutely.
Memorable? Without question.
3️⃣ Winter Sports & Activities Zone
Fishing is only part of the fun.
Visitors can also enjoy:
Snow sledding
Snow rafting
Ice bicycles
Traditional Korean sleds
Argo rides
Perfect for children, teens, and adults alike.
✨ What’s New for the 20th Anniversary?
For its 20th year, the festival focuses on comfort and variety.
✔ New Facilities
Jinbu Multi-Purpose Center (modern sashimi center)
Heated Air Dome Rest Area to escape the cold
✔ Special Events & Experiences
20th Anniversary Photo Exhibition
Trout Fishing Competition
“Catch the Pokémon” event
Live Radio Broadcasts (song requests)
Celebrity performances & public shows
Sauna & foot bath zones
✔ Photo Spots
Ice pillars
Ice wall installations
Perfect for winter photos and social media.
🍽️ Eat What You Catch: Fresh Trout Dishes
Trout caught during the festival can be cooked immediately at the food zone.
Dishes: Trout sashimi, grilled trout, spicy stew, rice bowls, salad
Cooking fee: 4,000 KRW per fish
Warm winter snacks like fish cake soup, noodles, tteokbokki, and ramen
are also available throughout the venue.
🛡️ Safety Comes First
The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is known for its strict safety standards.
Ice thickness checked daily
Ice fishing opens only when safety criteria are met
Helmets required for activity zones
Safety fences and shock-absorbing mats installed
Emergency response plans for weather changes
This makes the festival especially reassuring for families with children.
🎯 Which Fishing Program Is Right for You?
If you’re not sure where to start, this quick guide helps.
🌡️ Tent Fishing
Best for families with children & cold-sensitive visitors
Private 2-person heated tents
Online reservation only (250 tents total): 평창 송어 축제
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
(Feb 9 closes at 2:00 PM)
Prices
All-inclusive pass: Adult 49,000 KRW / Child 43,000 KRW
Fishing-only pass: Adult 39,000 KRW / Child 30,000 KRW
Warm, comfortable, and stress-free.
❄️ Ice Fishing
Best value & classic winter experience
No reservation required (on-site purchase)
Large ice field accommodating up to 2,000 people
Prices
All-inclusive pass: Adult 43,000 KRW / Child 35,000 KRW
Fishing-only pass: Adult 25,000 KRW / Child 20,000 KRW
The most popular choice for first-time visitors.
🧒 Indoor Fishing
Best for young children & beginners
Weather-independent indoor facility
1 trout guaranteed per person
Limited to around 30 participants
Price
20,000 KRW
(For families with elementary-school-aged children or younger, rod included)
No disappointment—everyone goes home with a fish.
🔥 Bare-Handed Trout Catching
The festival’s ultimate challenge
Short-sleeve experience in icy water
Clothing, shoes, locker, and towel included
Price
20,000 KRW
Weekdays: 2 sessions
Weekends: 3 sessions
Limited to 30 people per session (on-site ticketing required)
🚆 How to Get to the Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Step 1: Take a Train from Seoul (Cheongnyangni Station)
Departure: Cheongnyangni Station (Seoul)
Arrival: Odaesan (Jinbu) Station
Train options: KTX or ITX
Travel time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Cheongnyangni Station is well connected by subway, making it an easy departure point for travelers staying in Seoul.
Step 2: From Odaesan (Jinbu) Station to the Festival Site
Distance: About 5 minutes by taxi
Taxi fare: Approximately 5,000–7,000 KRW
During the festival season, taxis are readily available at the station, and many drivers are familiar with the Pyeongchang Trout Festival .
✔ Travel Tip
On weekends and holidays, trains to Odaesan (Jinbu) Station can sell out quickly.
It’s highly recommended to book train tickets in advance, especially during peak festival dates.
🎟️ Ice Fishing Day Tours from Seoul (Affiliate Options)
If you prefer a hassle-free day trip from Seoul,
guided ice fishing tours are a convenient option—especially for first-time visitors.
These tours typically include round-trip transportation,
festival admission, and basic assistance, making winter travel much easier.
Klook
Pyeongchang Trout Farm Ice Fishing Day Tour
(Often combined with popular ice fishing festivals such as Hwacheon, Cheongpyeong, or Gapyeong)GetYourGuide
From Seoul: Pyeongchang Ice Fishing Festival Day Tour
(English-friendly booking with clear itineraries)
👉 These tours are ideal if you don’t want to worry about trains, taxis, or winter driving.
🏨 Where to Stay in Pyeongchang (Affiliate Hotel Booking)
If you plan to stay overnight, Pyeongchang offers a wide range of accommodations—from budget hotels to full-scale resorts.
For easy comparison and reliable reviews, the platforms below are helpful:
Tripadvisor
THE 10 BEST Hotels in Pyeongchang-gun (2026)
→ Best for checking real traveler reviews and rankingsBooking.com
→ Wide hotel selection with flexible cancellation optionsAgoda
→ Often offers competitive prices for both hotels and resorts in Pyeongchang
💡 Tip: January–February is peak season in Pyeongchang.
If you’re visiting during the festival, booking accommodation as early as possible is strongly recommended—especially near Jinbu-myeon or Odaesan Station.
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
🎒 Before You Go: Practical Tips
Average January temperature in Pyeongchang: below −6°C (21°F)
→ Bring heat packs, insulated boots, and extra socksWeekends are crowded → arrive early
Smoking is prohibited throughout the venue
Outside food is not allowed
🐟 Next Winter Festival
Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival
Discover Korea’s most famous ice fishing festival, loved by both locals and international travelers.
👉 View the complete guide: 2026 Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival: Complete Guide To Korea’s World-Famous Winter Festival
