Fishermen net giant catch at Shitoukoumen Reservoir

An annual winter fishing event opened at Shitoukoumen Reservoir in Changchun, Northeast China’s Jilin province, on Jan 1, attracting thousands of visitors and fishermen.

The event marked the hauling in of the first catch of 2019.

Located in the middle reaches of Yinma River in Jilin province, Shitoukoumen Reservoir is a major water source for Changchun city.

In addition to helping prevent flooding, the reservoir is also popular among local fishermen, with the reservoir’s fish a popular choice for local mealtimes.

The annual event forms part of a traditional hunting and fishing culture in Northeast China, attracting a large number of visitors each year.

The first day saw 50,000 kilograms of fish brought to the shore, with the largest fish weighing 18 kg.

This year’s annual fishing event is expected to last until Feb 1, and 250,000 kg fish is expected to be caught during this month.

A man shows off a big fish caught during an event held at Shitoukoumen Reservoir in Changchun, Jilin province, Jan 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors photograph the catch, Jan 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fishermen sort their fishing nets at Shitoukoumen Reservoir, Jan 1. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]