Fish are harvested at Xianghu Lake in Xiaoshan district, Hangzhou. [Photo by Sun Hongxiang/WeChat account: xianghufabu]

Fishing is one of the most authentic Spring Festival traditions among residents of Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province.

The annual fishing festival in Xianghu Lake always falls around one week before the Spring Festival, and this year it is being held from Jan 13 to 20.

Activities such as hauling fishing nets, tasting fish and releasing fry will be held during the festival.

Xianghu Lake is renowned for its water quality and is home to a wide variety of fish, such as black carp, grass carp, bighead carp, crucian, chub, and black amur bream.

The fish can help filter algae, plankton, bottom scavengers, bacteria and organic debris in the water, and purify and digest the eutrophication of water.

A fisherman hauls a fish out of water. [Photo by Zhou Zuyou Fang Yingcheng/WeChat account: xianghufabu]

Stewed fish head in clay pot is a popular dish enjoyed by Xiaoshan residents. [Photo/WeChat account: xianghufabu]