As the annual winter fishing event in northeast China

As the annual winter fishing event heats up at the Chagan Lake in northeast China’s Jilin Province, fishermen have welcomed the season’s first “red net”, which means a haul exceeding 50,000 kilograms in a single net.

The lake’s record for a “red net” stands at an astounding 260,000 kilograms. The adoption of scientific fishing methods has increased fish density in the lake, consequently raising the frequency of these remarkable “red nets” each year.

Chagan Lake’s ice fishing tradition, which dates back to the Liao Dynasty (907-1125), was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008. The ancient method of net fishing requires teamwork. The time-honored winter fishing at the Chagan Lake has become a signature tourism attraction in the city.