Bouncy Winter Fishing on the Ice: Trip to the Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival
Introduction
At Gwanghyewon Reservoir, where the breath of midwinter settles in with a chill, light shimmers beneath the ice and the tip of the fishing rod trembles gently like ripples breaking the still surface. The unusually clear water, white snow, and laughter echoing across the ice are coming together to set the stage for a winter-only playground.
Bouncy Winter Fishing on the Ice: Trip to the Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival
Contents
- Guide
- Program Information
- Impressions (Planned Visit)
- Where to Stay
- Restaurants & Cafés
- Nearby Attractions
- Getting There
- Closing
- Photo Snapshots
- Videos
- Related News
Guide
- Festival Name : Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival
- Period : 2026-01-17 ~ 2026-02-17
- Hours : 08:00 ~ 17:00
- Location : Gwangnaemi-gil 48, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do (upper area of Gwanghyewon Reservoir)
- Admission : Paid (Children 4–13 years 5,000 KRW / Adults 14 and up 10,000 KRW)
- Hosted/Organized by : Dugyo-ri Dongmak Village Association
- Inquiries : 031-674-4528
- Official Website : http://dmfestival.co.kr
- 09:00 Arrive at the festival grounds, purchase tickets, check the ice conditions, and look around for good smelt-fishing spots.
- 09:30 Start the smelt-ice-fishing experience and spend a leisurely time on the ice enjoying the feel of winter at your fingertips.
- 11:30 Warm up with a hot soup and a meal at a nearby food stall or restaurant and take a short break.
- 13:00 Enjoy winter play programs such as kids’ smelt netting, snow and ice sledding, and ice tops.
- 15:00 Stroll around the snowflake photo zones and the reservoir area taking photos, and browse for snacks or souvenirs.
- 16:30 Pack up before sunset and move to a nearby café or accommodation to wind down your day.
Programs may change depending on on-site conditions and ice thickness, so it’s good to check notices before you visit.
The Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival is a winter leisure festival held in the upper reaches of Gwanghyewon Reservoir, where the waters of the Charyeong Mountain Range gather. As a water source area with almost no pollution, the reservoir boasts first-grade water quality, forming a thick ice sheet where you can enjoy smelt fishing and a variety of other winter activities.
Covering a total area of about 180,000 pyeong, Gwanghyewon Reservoir is one of Anseong’s representative large reservoirs. Its scenic landscape, harmonizing with the surrounding mountains, becomes especially fairy-tale-like on snowy days. Tents and footprints slowly dot the quiet lake, and tiny smelt rising through the holes in the ice add to the thrill of a winter getaway.
Program Information
This is the festival’s main program, where you sit on the ice, drill a hole, and catch smelt yourself. You can rent fishing rods on-site, so you can join even without your own gear, and the little smelt that were darting around in the clear reservoir water deliver a thrilling tug at your fingertips.
This area is prepared for periods when the ice has not fully formed or when temperatures fluctuate greatly. Safety is the top priority, allowing visitors to enjoy smelt fishing in a more stable environment regardless of ice conditions.
A popular experience for families where children use nets to catch smelt themselves. As they chase the smelt swiftly gliding through the water, their cheeks turn rosy and they briefly forget about the winter cold.
Snow and ice sled programs where you glide over white snow and smooth ice. In the play area created near the reservoir, both kids and adults can feel like children again, enjoying the speed and thrill unique to winter.
Traditional games like spinning ice tops and flying kites give you a chance to make simple yet memorable moments. Watching the tops spin and the kites soar into the cold sky will naturally bring back memories of winter vacations from childhood.
As you walk along snowy paths, you’ll spot snowflake-themed photo zones set up here and there. With photo spots overlooking the reservoir and mountains, it’s a great place to capture winter scenes with family, partners, or friends.
This experience program lets you enjoy smelt fishing in a cozier environment from floating glamping facilities. Available by reservation, it’s especially appealing because you can take in the unique winter night views over both ice and water at once.
Ticket sales run from 9:00–11:00 in the morning and 13:00–16:00 in the afternoon, with a break at lunchtime. Plan your visit around these times for a more relaxed festival schedule.
On weekends and public holidays, both visitors and parking lots are very crowded, so it’s best to arrive early in the morning or use public transportation. Especially for families, allow plenty of extra time for parking.
If you bring plenty of warm gear—thick clothing, waterproof shoes, gloves, and hand warmers—you can stay longer on the ice while keeping warm. If the ice thickness does not meet safety standards, some programs may be restricted, so be sure to check notices in advance.
On weekends and holidays, early entry is recommended.
Bring sufficient cold-weather gear such as waterproof shoes, gloves, and hand warmers.
Some programs may be canceled depending on ice thickness, so check announcements beforehand.
Impressions (Planned Visit)
Today is January 1, 2026, and the Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival is scheduled to be held from January 17 to February 17, 2026. So at the moment, I’m in the stage of planning and looking forward to the festival about to begin. The Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival will take place across the Gwanghyewon Reservoir area, especially over the clear, calm waters in the upper reaches near Dugyo-ri and Dongmak Village in Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. I can already picture a scene where the air is cold yet crisp, and the silence atop the ice is accompanied only by the faint sound of swirling snow. I also find myself anticipating the moment when smelt, brushing just beneath the surface, will travel up the fishing line to my hands.
Admission is listed as 10,000 KRW for adults and teenagers aged 14 and up, and 5,000 KRW for children aged 5–13, with free entry for children 4 and under and seniors 80 and over. Ticketing hours are divided into 9:00–11:00 in the morning and 13:00–16:00 in the afternoon, with a break during lunchtime, so I’m planning my schedule with that in mind. There’s also a glamping smelt fishing program—if you book a floating glamping accommodation, you can spend a unique night that mixes experiences on both ice and water. It makes me imagine quietly staying above the reservoir at night, under the glow of winter lights.
I can almost feel the warm smell of broth from food stalls hitting my throat in the cold air on-site, the sound of ice clinking, and the mingled chatter and laughter of people, all coming together like a winter gift. With snowflake photo zones, winter play activities, ice sledding, and kite flying prepared, I expect it to be not just a festival to watch but a time to experience winter with your whole body, from fingertips to toes. Once everything is ready, I plan to bundle up in warm clothes, pack my cold-weather gear, head there on opening day, and quietly picture the footprints I’ll leave on the pure white ice.
Where to Stay
While there are no large-scale accommodations around the festival grounds, there are several conveniently located places with short travel distances. Focusing on lodgings within a 10 km drive, you’ll find enough options to rest comfortably after enjoying the smelt festival.
572-1 Samyang-ro, Daeso-myeon, Eumseong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A budget-friendly accommodation about 5.9 km by car from the festival, located near a national highway.
With basic amenities, it’s a low-pressure place to stay for a night after the festival.
Distance: 5.9 km
268-2 Jukju-ro, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A hotel located about 7.6 km from the festival near Juksan-myeon, Anseong.
Close to the Juksan-myeon town center, it’s convenient to use along with nearby restaurants and cafés, and easily accessible by car.
Distance: 7.6 km
Allow some buffer for checkout time, considering the drive back to the festival grounds.
Restaurants & Cafés
Near Gwanghyewon Reservoir, there’s a good mix of Korean restaurants and cafés with views. If you plan your route around nearby spots that are easy to visit before or after the festival, you can have meals and take breaks without overexerting yourself in the cold weather.
45 Janggi-gil, Gwanghyewon-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A great place to enjoy warm drinks and desserts in a traditional hanok-style café.
Close enough to stop by conveniently from the festival, it’s ideal for a short rest before or after playing on the ice.
Distance: 2.9 km
662 Geolmi-ro, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A garden-style restaurant ideal for Korean meals.
Easily accessible by car, making it a good choice for a hearty meal after the festival.
Distance: 5.3 km
724-10 Geolmi-ro, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A restaurant perfect when you’re craving hearty home-style dishes like savory cheonggukjang (fermented soybean stew).
Ideal for warming up with hot soup after feeling the chill out on the ice.
Distance: 5.8 km
20 Gwaneumdang-gil, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A place where you can enjoy a meal with a cozy farm atmosphere.
Perfect for a relaxed meal while taking in the natural scenery, and easy to combine with a winter drive.
Distance: 7.1 km
142 Nokbae-gil, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A long-loved restaurant serving rustic Korean dishes.
A good place to visit if you want to enjoy a proper local Anseong meal along with the festival.
Distance: 7.2 km
40 Geumil-ro, Iljuk-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A home-style restaurant serving mainly Korean dishes.
Convenient to visit when traveling toward Iljuk, depending on your driving route.
Distance: 7.2 km
148 Samheung-ro, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A café and restaurant with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
A great place to continue your drive course after the smelt festival with a relaxing cup of tea.
Distance: 7.4 km
7321-72 Seodong-daero, Iljuk-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A Korean restaurant where you can enjoy hot stone-pot rice and tofu dishes.
With hearty menu options perfect for winter, it’s well suited as a meal stop before or after the festival.
Distance: 9.4 km
On weekends, lunchtime queues can get long, so visiting before 11:30 is recommended.
Nearby Attractions
If it feels like a shame to just enjoy the smelt festival and head back, you can easily fill your day by adding nearby reservoirs and lake parks to your itinerary. With most spots within about 10 km of the festival grounds, it’s ideal for combining with a winter drive or walk.
Hoejuk-ri, Gwanghyewon-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A small, charming reservoir where gentle ripples blend with the surrounding fields.
Close to the festival grounds, it’s good for a short visit and for feeling the quiet mood of a winter reservoir.
Distance: 3.3 km
Ohheung-ri, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A place where you can enjoy a walk while taking in rural scenery blended with nature.
Located at a manageable distance for a brief stroll or a few photos in the winter atmosphere.
Distance: 7.8 km
Naegang-ri, Samjuk-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A spot where you can enjoy tranquil views of mountains and water coming together.
A good choice for a quiet drive after the smelt festival to appreciate a winter lake.
Distance: 8.1 km
968 Jinan-ro, Geumgwang-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A lake park with walking trails built along the lakeshore.
After activities on the ice, you can loosen up by walking the relatively flat trails and leisurely enjoying the winter lake.
Distance: 8.5 km
24 Songnim 3-gil, Iwol-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A neighborhood park centered on a pine forest, suitable for walks and light relaxation.
Not too far from the festival grounds, making it a nice addition as a short afternoon walking course.
Distance: 8.5 km
81-200 Songnim 2-gil, Iwol-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A healing forest where simply walking along the forest trails soothes body and mind.
A great place to quietly end the day, feeling the stillness and crisp air unique to a winter forest.
Distance: 8.9 km
Baetae-ri, Samjuk-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do
A reservoir where the calm surface of the water complements the surrounding mountain ridges.
Well suited for a winter drive course that combines the smelt festival with visits to nearby reservoirs.
Distance: 9.3 km
435-135 Myeongam-gil, Baekgok-myeon, Jincheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
A natural recreation forest nestled in the mountains, where you can enjoy both lodging and forest walks.
Worth considering when planning a longer winter trip that combines the festival with a stay in forest accommodations.
Distance: 9.7 km
In winter, when days are short, check sunset times when planning your route for safety.
Getting There
Public Transportation — From Anseong Intercity Bus Terminal, take a bus toward Juksan-myeon and get off at Dugyo-ri or Dugyo-ri Stop. From there, you can walk or take a taxi to the festival site at the upper reaches of Gwanghyewon Reservoir.
By Car — Enter “Gwanghyewon Reservoir upper area” or the address “Gwangnaemi-gil 48, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do (Gwanghyewon Reservoir)” into your navigation system to be guided to the festival. There is free parking nearby, but it can get very crowded on weekends and holidays, so it’s best to allow extra travel time.
Around closing time, taxi demand increases and dispatches may be delayed.
Closing
The Anseong Dongmakgol Smelt Festival, held on the white-frozen surface of a first-grade clear reservoir, feels like a special time granted only in winter. Waiting for small smelt to emerge through the ice in the still scenery of the upper Gwanghyewon Reservoir may turn this cold season into a warmly remembered one.
From smelt fishing to snow and ice sledding, traditional games, and photo zones, this festival offers both visual fun and hands-on experiences. With solid cold-weather preparation and a bit of route planning, you can create a precious day fully immersed in winter with family, partners, or friends.
