Xingyun Lake in Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, ushered in its annual winter fishing season this week, drawing tourists from across the country to celebrate the traditional harvest.
At noon on Thursday, dozens of fishing boats from nearby villages set sail on the Xingyun Lake, signaling the official opening of the season. Along the shore, long lines of celebration teams waited as the boats returned laden with fresh catches.
As the fishermen came ashore, locals and visitors alike escorted them to nearby markets, where residents had already lined up to buy the day's freshest fish, turning the lakeside into a lively scene of festivity and commerce.
Beyond preserving tradition, local authorities emphasized the lake's ecological management to ensure sustainable fishing practices.
"We strictly follow the principle of 'catch the big ones and leave the fry.' We mainly target silver carp, bighead carp, common carp, and crucian carp that meet size standards, which helps optimize the fish population structure and leverage the ecological functions of using fish to control algae and improve water quality," said Yang Peixiong, Director of the Yunnan Xingyun Lake Plateau Lake Conservation and Management Research Center.
The winter fishing season runs from December 25 to late January each year, timed to harvest fish at their peak after a full year of growth, while avoiding the spawning season that lasts from late January to February.
The seasonal event has also become a draw for culinary tourism, with visitors coming specifically to enjoy local fish specialties.
"The opening of the fishing season is festive and full of energy. The fish is especially tender and delicious," said Zheng Jingyong, a tourist from Chongqing Municipality.
"Yuxi's Jiangchuan District has a rich fishery culture. Combined with the beautiful lake scenery, it's truly worth the visit," said Li Zongfan, another tourist.
Winter fishing season kicks off in Yunnan's Yuxi City
