Trucks drive on the frozen Dali Lake to catch fish. [Photo/Grassland Cloud Media]

The annual winter fishing season at Dali Lake in Hexigten Banner, Chifeng city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, kicked off on Dec 22.

On ice nearly 20 C below zero, more than 70 fishery workers carried out a series of traditional procedures – from awakening the nets and drilling ice holes to setting, pulling, and harvesting nets – creating a striking scene on the frozen lake.

Fishermen cut the ice on the frozen Dali Lake. [Photo/Grassland Cloud Media]

Many visitors gathered to watch the 100-year-old practice up close, immersing themselves in the festive atmosphere and sharing in the joy of the winter harvest.

Feng Junjie, general manager of Dali Lake Fishery Co, explained that the fishing season begins after the winter solstice, when ice thickness exceeds 45 centimeters, and local Amur ides are at their fattest.

The fishery follows a "catch big, release small" principle to protect the ecosystem, with total catches capped at 180,000 kilograms. The season runs until Little New Year, usually a week before Chinese New Year.

With a history of more than 100 years, the Dali Lake winter fishing tradition was listed as an Inner Mongolia regional intangible cultural heritage in 2011 and has become a signature attraction of winter grassland tourism in Hexigten Banner.

Fishermen pull fish out of Dali Lake. [Photo/Grassland Cloud Media]