Winter fishing festival on Chagan Lake marks record auction

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The season's first fish are on display, ready for auction on Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province, January 8, 2026. /VCG

A fishing festival opens on January 8, 2026 on Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province. /VCG

The 24th Chagan Lake Ice and Snow Fishing and Hunting Cultural Tourism Festival has opened on the frozen waters of Chagan Lake in Songyuan, Jilin Province, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to witness this centuries-old winter ritual.

A 19‑kilogram "first fish" from the season was auctioned for 1,699,999 yuan (about $238,000). The proceeds will be donated to ecological protection funds supporting the lake's water quality and fish population.

Despite temperatures near -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit), tourists cheered as fishermen drilled through the ice and hauled in nets with horse drawn winches, releasing massive catches and celebrating local heritage.

Besides ice fishing, the festival also offers a variety of winter sports, including snow football leagues and ice hockey invitational tournaments, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to enjoy the action at the frozen lake.

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