Ice Fishing on a Frozen River in South Korea

South Korea has a completely different personality in winter.

The mountains turn white.

Rivers and lakes freeze over.

Small towns become surrounded by snow.

And in parts of Gangwon Province, people gather on the ice with fishing rods, waiting patiently for a trout to bite.

At first, ice fishing in South Korea might sound like an unusual travel activity.

Then you see it in person.

Hundreds of small holes are cut into the frozen surface.

Families sit together on the ice.

Children run around in winter clothes.

The smell of grilled fish fills the cold air.

Someone suddenly pulls a trout from beneath the ice, and everyone nearby starts cheering.

It's not just fishing.

It's a uniquely Korean winter experience.

What Is Ice Fishing in South Korea?

Ice fishing involves making a small hole through a frozen river or lake and fishing beneath the ice.

In South Korea, the activity has become particularly popular through winter festivals in mountainous regions.

Many of these events take place around December through February, depending on weather and ice conditions.

Gangwon Province is especially well known for these experiences.

The official Korea Tourism Organization highlights several winter ice-fishing events, including the Pyeongchang Trout Festival, Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, and other regional winter festivals.

For visitors, these festivals make ice fishing relatively accessible.

You don't need to be an experienced angler.

You simply show up, rent or receive the necessary equipment depending on the event, find a fishing spot, and give it a try.

Pyeongchang Trout Festival

One of the best-known places to experience ice fishing is Pyeongchang.

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival takes place around the frozen Odaecheon Stream and combines fishing with a variety of winter activities.

The 2026 festival ran from January 9 to February 9, with ice fishing, tent fishing, a children's fishing area, bare-handed trout catching, and other ice activities.

The setting is part of the experience.

Snow-covered mountains surround the area.

The river freezes beneath your feet.

And beneath that thick layer of ice, trout are swimming.

It's strange, beautiful, and surprisingly exciting.

The Moment You Catch Your First Trout

The first few minutes can be deceptively calm.

You sit down.

Drop your line.

Wait.

Nothing happens.

You start wondering whether you're doing something wrong.

Then suddenly—

A tug.

You pull.

And there it is.

A trout comes out of the hole.

For a few seconds, you're probably more excited than you expected to be.

Even if you've never fished before, that first catch feels like a small victory.

And if you don't catch anything?

That's okay too.

The atmosphere, scenery, food, and experience are still worth the trip.

Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival

Another famous winter experience is the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in Gangwon Province.

The festival is held every January when the Hwacheoncheon Stream freezes sufficiently for the event.

Visitors can try ice fishing for sancheoneo, a type of mountain trout, as well as other winter activities.

The festival has become one of Korea's major winter events and attracts visitors from both Korea and overseas.

In 2026, the festival ran from January 10 to February 1. The current tourism information also lists the 2027 event for January 9–31, 2027, although travelers should always check the official festival information before making plans.

What Makes Hwacheon Special?

It's the atmosphere.

Imagine a frozen river covered with small fishing holes.

Around you are mountains, snow, colorful winter decorations, and thousands of visitors enjoying the cold.

You catch a fish.

Then you take it to a nearby cooking area.

A few minutes later, you're eating freshly prepared trout.

It's one of those travel experiences where the activity and the meal become part of the same story.

You Can Eat What You Catch

This is probably one of the most satisfying parts.

Depending on the festival and current rules, freshly caught trout can be prepared for visitors.

At Hwacheon, for example, fish can be enjoyed freshly prepared, including grilled or raw preparations.

After spending time outside in freezing temperatures, a hot meal tastes even better.

The fish is fresh.

The air is cold.

Your hands are probably freezing.

And somehow that makes the food taste even better.

More Than Just Fishing

You don't have to spend the entire day holding a fishing rod.

Korean winter festivals often offer plenty of other activities.

Depending on the location, you may find:

• Ice sledding

• Snow sledding

• Snow rafting

• Ice skating

• Ice sculptures

• Traditional winter games

• Bare-handed trout catching

• Children's activities

• Winter food stalls

The official tourism information for Pyeongchang and Hwacheon highlights these kinds of activities alongside ice fishing.

This makes the experience particularly good for groups and families.

Try Catching Fish With Your Bare Hands

If sitting on the ice sounds too quiet, some festivals offer something much crazier.

Bare-handed trout catching.

You enter a designated icy-water area and attempt to catch a slippery fish using your hands.

It sounds ridiculous.

It is.

It's also incredibly fun.

You will probably scream the moment you step into the cold water.

And you'll probably laugh even harder when someone actually manages to catch a fish.

It's definitely not the most relaxing part of the day—but it's memorable.

Inje Icefish Festival

If you want to try something different from trout, look toward Inje.

The Inje Icefish Festival has traditionally offered ice fishing for icefish, along with winter activities such as sledding and other snow-and-ice attractions.

The experience is a little different from trout festivals.

Instead of focusing on catching one large fish, the attraction is the spectacle of fishing through the frozen surface of a lake.

It's another interesting way to experience winter in Korea.

Why Gangwon Is Perfect for a Winter Fishing Trip

Gangwon Province is one of the best regions in Korea for winter outdoor activities.

The province is mountainous.

Winters can be extremely cold.

Snow-covered landscapes are common.

And several major winter festivals take advantage of frozen rivers and lakes.

You can easily combine ice fishing with:

Snowy mountains + Korean food + winter villages + skiing + hot drinks.

That's what makes the experience more than just a fishing trip.

What Should You Wear?

This is important.

You're going to spend several hours standing or sitting on ice.

Dress warmly.

Wear:

• Thermal underwear

• Thick winter jacket

• Warm pants

• Waterproof boots

• Thick socks

• Gloves

• Hat

• Scarf

• Hand warmers

Your feet and hands will probably get cold first.

Bring extra socks if you can.

And don't underestimate the wind.

A sunny winter day can still feel brutally cold.

Bring Hand Warmers

This is one of the simplest travel tips.

Put hand warmers in:

• Gloves

• Jacket pockets

• Boots

They're inexpensive and can make a huge difference when you're sitting on ice for hours.

Do You Need Fishing Experience?

Not at all.

That's one of the reasons these festivals are so accessible.

Most visitors are there for fun rather than serious fishing.

If you've never held a fishing rod before, don't worry.

Watch what the people around you are doing.

Ask festival staff for help.

And don't take the experience too seriously.

You're there to enjoy the winter.

What Does an Ice Fishing Day Look Like?

A typical day might look something like this.

9:00 AM – Arrive

Get your tickets and equipment.

Find your fishing area.

10:00 AM – Start Fishing

Find a hole.

Drop your line.

Wait.

11:00 AM – Explore

Try another fishing area or join another winter activity.

12:30 PM – Lunch

Have your freshly caught fish prepared or explore the festival food stalls.

2:00 PM – More Winter Fun

Try sledding, ice activities, or bare-handed fishing.

4:00 PM – Hot Drink

Find a warm café or food stall.

Evening

Return to your accommodation or continue exploring the surrounding area.

It's a full winter day without needing a complicated itinerary.

Combine Ice Fishing With Pyeongchang's Winter Attractions

If you're visiting Pyeongchang, don't make the fishing festival your only activity.

The region is famous for winter sports.

You can combine your trip with:

• Skiing

• Snowboarding

• Mountain resorts

• Snow-covered hiking trails

• Scenic winter drives

The Pyeongchang area is also close to major ski destinations, making it easy to build a longer winter holiday.

Stay Overnight in the Mountains

One of the best ways to experience the region is to stay overnight.

Instead of rushing back to Seoul after fishing, find accommodation near the festival.

Spend the evening eating Korean barbecue.

Drink something warm.

Wake up surrounded by snow-covered mountains.

Then start another winter adventure.

It makes the trip feel much more like a holiday and less like a day tour.

What Korean Food Should You Try?

Winter is the perfect time for hearty Korean food.

After spending hours outside, look for:

• Grilled trout

• Korean barbecue

• Hot seafood soup

• Tteokbokki

• Eomuk

• Hotteok

• Mandu

• Kimchi stew

• Hot tea

Street food is especially enjoyable during winter.

A steaming cup of fish cake broth while standing in freezing temperatures?

Perfect.

The Best Time to Go

Ice fishing is completely dependent on weather and safe ice conditions.

Generally, the main festival season falls between December and February, with many major events concentrated in January.

However, dates can change from year to year.

The Pyeongchang Trout Festival, for example, was held from January 9 to February 9 in 2026, while the Hwacheon festival ran from January 10 to February 1.

Always check the latest official information before traveling.

Don't Walk Onto Unmarked Ice

This is the most important safety rule.

Never assume a frozen river or lake is safe simply because you see people standing on ice somewhere else.

Only fish in officially designated festival areas.

Follow staff instructions.

Stay behind barriers.

Don't wander onto nearby frozen water.

Ice thickness can vary dramatically.

A beautiful winter photograph isn't worth taking a risk.

Is Ice Fishing Safe?

Organized festivals generally have safety procedures and designated areas.

But winter conditions can still be harsh.

Pay attention to:

• Weather warnings

• Ice safety instructions

• Signs

• Festival staff

• Your own physical condition

If you're extremely cold, take a break indoors.

There is no prize for being the last person standing on the ice.

Ice Fishing With Children

This can be a fantastic family experience.

Kids love the idea of fishing through ice.

They can watch fish beneath the surface, try simple fishing techniques, and enjoy sledding or other activities.

However, children should be supervised closely around ice and water.

Make sure they wear proper winter clothing and waterproof footwear.

Ice Fishing for Couples

It's also surprisingly romantic.

Imagine spending a cold morning together on a frozen river.

You try to catch a fish.

One of you succeeds.

You celebrate.

Then you warm up with hot food.

It's simple, slightly ridiculous, and memorable.

Sometimes that's exactly what makes a travel experience special.

Ice Fishing for Solo Travelers

Going alone can be just as enjoyable.

The festival atmosphere makes it easy to feel involved even if you're traveling independently.

You can fish for an hour, take photographs, eat lunch, and move on whenever you want.

You don't have to be an angler.

You're simply experiencing a very different side of Korean winter life.

A 2-Day Winter Adventure

Day 1: Ice Fishing

Travel to Gangwon.

Check into your accommodation.

Visit the festival.

Try ice fishing.

Eat freshly prepared trout.

Explore the winter attractions.

Return to your accommodation and enjoy a warm Korean dinner.

Day 2: Snow and Mountains

Start with breakfast.

Visit a nearby ski resort or mountain attraction.

Enjoy a snowy walk.

Have a late lunch.

Return to Seoul in the evening.

This creates a nice balance between fishing and sightseeing.

Why This Experience Is So Memorable

It's not just about catching fish.

It's the whole scene.

The frozen river.

The mountains.

The cold air.

People laughing.

Children running across the snow.

Fishing holes scattered across the ice.

Steam rising from hot food stalls.

A freshly caught trout being grilled.

And the strange feeling of standing on a river that was flowing freely only a few months earlier.

That's what makes ice fishing in South Korea so special.

It's an experience you can't really recreate in a city.

Final Thoughts

South Korea in winter isn't just about skiing and snow-covered palaces.

There is another side to the season.

In the mountains of Gangwon, frozen rivers become temporary playgrounds.

People gather on the ice.

Fishing rods go into the water.

Trout come out.

And the cold becomes part of the fun.

You might not catch the biggest fish.

Your hands might get cold.

You might spend twenty minutes staring at a hole in the ice without getting a single bite.

But you'll probably laugh.

You'll eat something delicious.

You'll take photographs you'll remember.

And you'll experience a side of South Korea that many travelers never see.

So bundle up, leave the city behind, and step onto the ice.

Your first Korean ice-fishing adventure might be cold—but it's unlikely to be boring.