Bustling linh fish market, frog fishing season, crab trap setting in the middle of flooded fields in the West

The flood season in the West has come, people are busy preparing for the new fishing season. Linh fish, frogs, crabs and many other types of freshwater fish have become specialties that bring good income to people.

Water has flooded the fields of Thuong Phuoc commune - the source of Dong Thap province - Photo: DANG TUYET

On August 12, Tuoi Tre Online recorded that in the fields of Thuong Phuoc commune, Dong Thap province, many fields were flooded. Since early morning, people have been going to the fields to pour straw and spread nets. The sampans and sampans moving across the fields created a joyful scene in the flooded fields of the West.

Fishermen sitting on a sampan moving across the fields during the flood season - Photo: DANG TUYET

Ms. Pham Thi Be, resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, said that the freshwater fish market "meets" twice a day, at dawn and at noon. People pour out nets and select seafood to sell to traders who bring them to the market. After that, the "bait fish" will be weighed in buckets to make freshwater fish sauce and linh fish sauce.

"It's just the beginning of the season so the price of freshwater fish such as silver carp, snakehead fish, perch, crab... is high, ranging from 30,000 - 80,000 VND/kg when weighed directly for traders. Linh fish alone costs 40,000 - 50,000 VND/kg, while fish marinated in fish sauce costs lower," said Ms. Be.

Bustling fish market during flood season in Thuong Phuoc commune, Dong Thap - Photo: DANG TUYET

Meanwhile, on the flood-prevention dike, many "anglers" are on duty fishing for frogs, catching 2-3kg each session. Fishing for frogs is both entertaining and provides ingredients to make delicious dishes for family meals or to sell, earning extra income. Along the canals in the fields, people set traps for crabs, a specialty that sells for a fairly high price.

The fish are caught by the locals early in the morning, the big fish will be weighed for traders, the small fish will be used to make fish sauce - Photo: DANG TUYET

Mr. Nguyen Viet Em, resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, said that catching frogs is quite simple, just need a fishing rod, hookless fishing line, golden apple snails or frog meat as bait. Usually, on the banks of dykes and dense canals, there are many frogs hiding and looking for food.

"Fishing for frogs also requires its own "skills", you have to be quick. When the frog eats the bait, the "angler" must jerk the line decisively and quickly catch the frog, if slow the frog will release the bait and jump away.

"Every day I catch 2-3kg in one session. If I fish all day I will get more, sometimes even up to 10kg. Traders buy on the spot for 80,000 VND to 120,000 VND/kg of frog depending on the size," said Mr. Viet Em.

Mr. Bui Van Du specializes in setting traps for crabs during the flood season in Thuong Phuoc commune - Photo: DANG TUYET

Mr. Bui Van Du, a resident of Thuong Phuoc commune, said he has been setting traps for crabs for many years, with about 150 traps each day able to catch about 5kg of crabs. The traps are mainly placed in water fields and canals.

"Because it's the beginning of the flood season, the amount of field crabs is not much, but in return, the selling price is still quite high, helping the fishermen have more income. In addition to the traditional way of setting traps, field crabs are also caught by setting nets, the quantity collected has doubled. Currently, the price of crabs is about 50,000 VND/kg, the crab legs alone fluctuate from 130,000 - 300,000 VND/kg," said Mr. Du.

According to the Dong Thap Province Hydrometeorological Station, during the week, water levels in places in the province were about 0.2m higher than the same period in 2024. The actual water level measured at Hong Ngu station was 2.32m highest, 10cm higher than the same period.

The highest daily water level in the upstream and inland areas changes slowly in the first half of the week, then rises rapidly in the second half of the week. The water level in the downstream area gradually decreases until mid-week, then rises rapidly until the end of the week.

DANG TUYET

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nhon-nhip-cho-ca-linh-mua-cau-ech-dat-lop-cua-giua-dong-nuoc-noi-mien-tay-20250812174816313.htm