Staff members demonstrate fish caught during a trial fishing in the run-up to a winter fishing festival on the frozen surface of Changling Lake, Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Dec. 24, 2012.(Xinhua/Wang Song)
In China's frozen northeast, ice fishing is an ancient tradition that's kept food on the table for centuries, throughout the long and very cold winter. This special and unique way of fishing is now seen as an intangible cultural heritage. Our reporter Guan Yang donned his thermals and headed north to Chagan Lake in Jilin Province, to take a look at a way of life that's stayed the same for over a thousand years.
Just the men and horses to do the job.
This way of fishing has been passed down from generation to generation.
No machines means no CO2 emissions. Here at Chagan Lake in Jilin Province, it's all about humans overcoming the nature's challenges.
Fisherman from Chagan Lake in Jilin province said, "This fishing net is designed to catch only adult fish. The younger ones are set free. This keeps a good balance in the lake's eco-system."
It takes less than half a day to cast a net with a perimeter of over 2000 meters under the frozen lake.
So what's the trick?
Fisherman from Chagan Lake in Jilin province said, "We drill a circle of holes around the lake. By pulling and hooking the fishing net strings through these holes, the entire net is cast under the thick ice. The last hole is where we winch up the fishes."
And now, the best part of the day. Thousands of fresh Chagan fish are pulled out.
The net is so heavy that more horses are needed.
It's a tradition that local people here say they want to keep going, so it's imperative that strict controls are upheld.
Shan Junguo, head of Chagan Lake Fishing Group, said, "We monitor all the fish that's caught. The less mature ones must be set free to keep the overall fishing environment for future generations."
Reporter: "This way of fishing can be dated back more than a thousand years. And today these fishermen use the same methods as their ancestors did back in the old days. And by preserving this original and authentic way of fishing, there will be plenty fishes for future generations. Like the old saying in Chinese, it will be Nian Nian You Yu."
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