Ice Fishing in Chagan Lake: Healthy ecosystem necessary to preserve fishing tradition

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02:28

It's not a magical body of water. But one lake in Northeast China is home to fish nearly twice the size of their counterparts elsewhere. With an age-old ice fishing tradition now underway, many of these big fish are getting reeled in. But what will it take to keep them alive and well in these trying environmental times? CGTN's Xu Xinchen explains.

A full net of fish brings joy to Chagan Lake’s fishermen. They have spent hours braving the elements, including temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius below zero. Their centuries-old fishing techniques are tried and true… with little help from modern machinery. There's a reason...

ZHANG WEN FISHING MASTER We use horse-towed wheels and human labor to fish. Why is that? Because if we start to industrialize it, it won't be environmentally friendly.

The most popular fish from Chagan Lake is the bighead carp weighing above 5 kilograms — at least twice the size of regular carp. The big size is only possible if newly-hatched fish are replenished on time and the lake’s eco-system is in check.

DONE XU XINCHEN CHAGAN LAKE While it’s icy all around now, the lake is more lively during the warmer days.... People can easily spot lotuses, water chestnuts, and algae... and that is one of the main reasons why fish can grow so big here in Chagan Lake ... feeding on plants, their seeds and insects.

The wintry retreat has also grown in popularity — attracting thousands of locals and visitors alike. That means more people now take on the responsibility of keeping the lake’s health in check.

CHN MALE SHAN JUNGUO CHAGAN LAKE FISH FARM There are a lot of tourists as well as small food vendors during the ice fishing season. Sometimes, they will leave trash behind. We have to make sure to clean this waste out each day — and leave no litter on the lake.

Chagan Lake looks vastly different in the summertime. Fish swim, eat and grow, and they are surrounded by colorful plants. As fish signify long-lasting prosperity in Chinese culture, it is important for people — locals and tourists — to keep that in mind — to grow big fish and keep ice fishing a rich tradition. And to keep Chagan Lake clean. Xu Xinchen, CGTN, Chagan Lake.