Cooped Up at Home? Try Ice Fishing

Every elementary, middle, and high school in Korea is on winter vacation this week.

Some families may be cooped up indoors, afraid of the fierce chill that lingers continuously, but that doesn’t mean your children can snuggle inside their rooms inside forever.

So how about ice-fishing at Ganghwa-gun, Incheon this week, a place full of cultural wonders? Fishers and visitors alike are flocking to ice-fishing sites as the subzero weather has frozen main water pipes and reservoirs.

Where to Fish?-

The best places for ice fishing in Ganghwa-gun are the Gyodong Gogu-ri and Nanjeong reservoirs.

To get to Gyodong Island, you must take a ferry from the Gangwha Changhu-ri ferry. You can also tug your car along on the boat at a cost of 24,000 won per car round trip.

On the main island, you can go to the Mangwol or Geumgol canals, or the Jangheung, Giljeong, or Naega reservoirs for some great times.

The usual catch is carp. The entrance fee is 5,000 to 10,000 won per person.

For a family outing, Bunori reservoir in the Dongmak beach area is ideal. On top of free fishing, the water’s clean and kids can have a go at rental sleds and skates.

Anyone on the lookout for a camera-worthy catch should know that the Songhae-myeon Sungnoe reservoir stretches for 90,000 pyeong, and that it’s free.

A Ganghwa-gun insider says, “It’s safe when the thickness of the ice is over 10 centimeters, but don’t go out there alone. There’s always safety in numbers. And I suggest you give a good whack to the ice before deciding to set out on it.”

Cultural Splendors-

In Gangwha Province, there are historical landmarks that were battle fortresses during the Joseon Dynasty.

Streams of visitors crowd Ganghwapalkyeong on any given day.

As for other places to sightsee, there is the Seonwonsa Historical Museum that published the Tripitaka Koreana; the Manuscript Museum that displays the drafts of literary disciples; and the Deoreomi Art Museum, which takes its visitors on a cultural journey.

And not to worry about food. Cruising down the 12-kilometer stretch between Gangwha Bridge and Choji Bridge, you’ll be able to get your fill of Gangwha specialties from places like “eel town”; “fresh fish street,” and “gizzard farm.”

Call 032-930-3221 for more information.

Kum-Chun Hwang kchwang@donga.com