The ice-covered Chagan Lake in Jilin Province has once again come alive with the excitement of its annual winter fishing festival.

Located in Songyuan City, Chagan Lake is one of China’s largest freshwater lakes, renowned for its abundant fishery resources and centuries-old winter fishing traditions that date back to the Liao and Jin dynasties.

The festival begins with a solemn ceremony to pay tribute to nature’s abundance and wish for a bountiful catch. This ancient ritual offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the rich cultural heritage of Chagan Lake.

The ceremony and practices of manually drilling ice holes, setting nets, and using horse-drawn winches to haul in the fish-laden nets create spectacular scenes that draw both domestic and international tourists every year.

One of the highlights of the event is the auction of the season’s “First Fish,” a symbol of good fortune. This year’s auction achieved a remarkable final bid of 1,199,999 yuan (around $164,000).

This winter, the lake’s fishing catch is expected to reach 1,500 tons. Beyond fishing, the festival includes a variety of cultural and tourism activities, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the vibrant traditions and unique charm of Chagan Lake’s fishing culture.

The winter fishing at Chagan Lake was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list in 2008.