Winter fishing at Dongqian Lake in Ningbo, Zhejiang province starts on Jan 8. [Photo/Yinxiang]

Fishermen in Ningbo, Zhejiang province saw a bountiful harvest as this year's winter fishing season at Dongqian Lake started on Jan 8.

The first catch was made at 9 am on Jan 8. Fishermen caught various kinds of fish, including silver carp, black carp, and crucians.

"It is a large one, weighing about 10 kilograms," said a fisherman who had just caught a silver carp, "But it isn't the largest one we caught."

Thanks to the ongoing effects of fish stocking and water protection protocols at the lake, the water quality was improved and it is now the city's largest breeding ground for freshwater fish. The lake boasts many species, including various fish, shrimps, crabs and freshwater snails.    

The best time for winter fishing at Dongqian Lake lasts from the end of December to the middle of February.

"We can catch up to 20,000 kilos of fish at once. We expect to harvest more than 100,000 kilos of large fish in a single month," said a fisherman surnamed Xin, who has been fishing for decades, "We only scoop out large fish, and release fish under three kilos back into the water."

A camping activity themed on fish was also held at Dongqian Lake on Jan 8. Visitors attended a fish auction, fished at the lake and enjoyed a fish feast.