Winter fishing season brings fresh catches at Hunan's Liuye Lake

Amidst the winter chill, the seventh annual winter fish market unfolded in recent days at Liuye Lake in Changde, Central China's Hunan province.

The market has become a highly anticipated event for locals, with the day's catch often selling out within hours. This year's edition celebrates the upcoming Chinese Year of the Horse, symbolizing the people's wishes for prosperity and success.

Liuye Lake, literally "willow-leaf lake", is part of a strict ecological farming approach that eschews artificial feed, fertilizers, and fish medication.

Throughout the winter season, the lake is expected to yield approximately 250,000 kilograms of fish, according to the local government.

The fish market runs from Jan 8 to Jan 18 this year. It opens daily at 9 am and closes once the catch is sold out. While locals eagerly line up for the fresh haul, the fish are also transported to markets in other cities, including Chongqing and Chengdu, bringing the lake's freshness to dining tables across the region.