The first haul yielded 175,000 kg of fish, which were sold at auction. Locally, the first winter catch is considered a symbol of good fortune.

During the ice fishing season, tourists can enjoy freshly prepared authentic dishes to the soothing sound of horsehead fiddles and traditional dances, while enjoying the fishing and hunting culture.

The ice fishing season on Lianhuan Lake, which runs until Feb 14, has transformed the remote lake into a hub, drawing crowds of anglers and tourists to its icy shores. Local authorities expect to welcome 200,000 visitors and generate 200 million yuan in revenue this season.

China has plans to make its winter economy a new growth sector worth 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines issued by the General Office of the State Council in November.

Heilongjiang has unleashed the potential of traditional ice fishing to boost the local fishery industry by expanding its industrial chain.

The province boasts over 6.5 million mu (about 433,333 hectares) of aquaculture ventures raising 100 fish species. Several cities have successfully integrated the development of aquaculture with tourism.

Huso dauricus, a large predatory sturgeon that was once a critically endangered species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, has been bred and farmed artificially in lakes here.

"Huso dauricus has become a signature specialty of Tongjiang. We plan to develop the entire chain, from gourmet products and cosmetics to health supplements," says Wang Lin, mayor of Tongjiang city.

Lyu Hang, deputy mayor of Daqing city, says that a partnership has been formed with the Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute to set breeding guidelines and artificial breeding regulations.

Heilongjiang produced 643,000 metric tons of fish in the first three quarters of 2024, a 5 percent increase on the previous year, with the value of its fisheries rising to 13.17 billion yuan, a 5.8 percent year-on-year growth, according to the provincial agriculture and rural affairs department.

Xinhua