CNR Net Mudanjiang January 15 News (Reporter Ma Junwei) The millennia-old and mysterious fishing and hunting culture, including rituals like "Lake Worship," "Net Awakening," "Farewell Toast," and "Harvest Celebration," was showcased once again; the spectacular scene of silver carp and koi leaping out of Jingpohu Lake reappeared...

Winter fishing scene (Photo by Ma Junwei, reporter from CNR.cn)

On January 15, the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & 9th International Winter Fishing Festival" themed "Millennium Heritage · Leaping Over the Dragon Gate" kicked off at the "Fantasy Ice Lake Area" of the resort pier in Jingpohu Lake Scenic Area. Distinguished guests from various sectors and tourists from across the country gathered to participate in this grand and unique cultural feast of winter fishing.

To implement the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, and ice and snow are also invaluable assets," Mudanjiang City has innovatively carried out the "Mudanjiang · Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World & the 9th International Winter Fishing Festival." This initiative is both a key measure to implement the provincial government's efforts to revitalize cold-water fisheries and an important platform to showcase Heilongjiang's fishing and hunting culture while promoting the "Heitu Youpin" brand. It is also a vital component of Heilongjiang's "Hundred-Day Action" for winter ice and snow tourism, aimed at developing the province's ice and snow economy and advancing the comprehensive development of the ice and snow tourism industry chain. The Winter Fishing Festival will further invigorate Mudanjiang's winter tourism, strengthen the cold-water fish industry, and vigorously promote the high-quality development of the city's ice and snow economy.

During the event, the launch ceremony of the Heilongjiang main venue for "Colorful Study Tours Across China—Special Study Tourism Theme Day" and "Into the Snowy Forests—Ice and Snow Study Tourism Theme Activity" was held, along with visits to the Jingpohu Lake Ice and Fire Fantasy World and other activities. There was also a lake fish exhibition and a fish stew tasting event. On-site, guests and tourists not only witnessed the spectacular winter fishing, marveled at the ice and snow culture of the northern wonders, and enjoyed a variety of ice entertainment activities, but also experienced the culinary culture of cold-water fish. It was a feast for both the eyes and the palate, bringing joy to the body and mind.

It is reported that Mudanjiang City governs three major water systems: the Mudan River, Muling River, and Suifen River, with 520,000 mu of aquaculture water surface. Among them, the Ning'an Zuixin Lake area is the largest high-quality cold-water resource surface in Heilongjiang Province, highly suitable for cold-water fish growth, offering superior conditions for cold-water fish farming. In 2023, the city's aquaculture area reached 320,000 mu, with an aquatic product output of nearly 21,000 tons and a total fishery economic revenue of 480 million yuan.

Winter Fishing Festival site (Photo provided by Mudanjiang Municipal Party Committee News Center, courtesy of CNR.cn)

Jingpohu Lake is the world's largest volcanic lava barrier lake, boasting excellent ecology, abundant aquatic resources, and a long-standing fishing and hunting culture with a winter fishing tradition. Recorded winter fishing dates back to the Tang Dynasty and gained fame during the Liao and Jin Dynasties. It once set a winter fishing record of 860,000 jin (approximately 430,000 kg) in a single net. The Jingpohu Lake Winter Fishing Festival has been designated as a national exemplary fishery cultural festival brand by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Ten major economic fish species from Jingpohu, including silver carp and carp, have received national organic food certification. The bighead carp and redtail fish from Jingpohu Lake have been awarded the National Geographical Indication Product by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and have also been recognized as one of Heilongjiang Province's Top Ten Local Specialty Fish.

Lake fish caught (Photo provided by Mudanjiang Municipal Party Committee News Center, cited from CNR.cn)

The winter fishing event yielded 128,000 jin of lake fish in the first net, and a "first fish auction" was held on-site, with the first fish sold for 388,000 yuan.

After the opening of the Winter Fishing Festival, to fully leverage the unique ice and snow resources and ecological fishery advantages, Jingpohu Lake has been hosting daily winter fishing performances from January 15th to the end of February this year. Activities such as ice fishing experiences and hot pot gatherings around the stove have been introduced, while creating a landscape where "fish leap with joy by day and stars and lights shimmer by night," further promoting the long-standing winter fishing culture. The launch of the fantastical Bohai Snow Castle, the magical volcanic ice valley, and the dazzling ice lake has presented visitors with a rich ice and snow feast, driving the deep integration of cultural tourism and fisheries, and supporting the high-quality development of the ice and snow economy in Mudanjiang.