Fishermen cut the holes in ice and spread the fishing net at the snow-covered Chagan lake, Northeast China's Jilin province, on Dec 27, 2015. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Instead of modern fishing methods, the Chagan Lake winter fishing continues to use traditional methods such as cutting holes in the ice and using manpower to place the net instead of machines to protect the lake water from being contaminated by modern machines.

Before the start of the season, a ceremony is held where fishermen pay tribute to the nature by holding traditional dances and other activities

A fishing net can cover an area of around 8 square km with an average weight of fish reaching 70,000 kilograms, according to Hu Dayong, a local fisherman.