Fishing Guide
All 51 fish species, fishing rods, legendary fish, cooking recipes, and tips
Fishing is one of the core gathering activities in Crimson Desert. The continent of Pywel is home to approximately 51 distinct fish species spread across rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal waters. Fish can be caught using a fishing rod or grabbed by bare hands in shallow water. Every fish you discover is logged in the Knowledge menu under Creatures > Aquatic Creatures, and once registered, the Knowledge tab reveals the species' location on your map. Fishing is also one of the most lucrative activities for beginners — selling cooked fish is one of the best ways to earn money early on.
How to Start Fishing
Crimson Desert hides core mechanics behind its observation system — you must watch someone else do it first before you can learn. 1. **Primary method**: Right after Kliff exits the Abyss for the first time, you'll spot NPCs fishing in the water. Walk up and stare at the fishermen, hold the observation button, and a learning progress bar will appear. Keep watching until it fills completely, which unlocks fishing and adds a basic fishing rod to your inventory. 2. **Alternative — Hernand Provisioner**: If you missed the NPCs, visit the Provisioner shop in Hernand. Hover your cursor over the fishing rod on display to trigger the same learning progression. 3. **Free rod pickup**: There is a free fishing rod located south of Hanand, resting against boxes near the river. 4. **Annabella's Request**: Visit the NPC Annabella at the Hernand Saddlery. Initiating her quest grants you a free fishing rod. 5. **Purchase**: Buy a Basic Fishing Rod from vendors like Alden or Finley in Hernand for 15 copper.
Fishing Mechanics
## Rod Fishing (Step-by-Step) 1. **Equip the rod**: Hold F2 (Left D-pad on controller) to open the equipment wheel. Move to the bottom right slot and cycle to your fishing rod with the mouse wheel (RT/LT on controller). 2. **Cast the line**: Hold LT (or Q then hold left mouse button on PC) and aim at a body of water. If the cursor highlights blue, you can fish there; if red, you cannot. Release to cast. 3. **Attract fish**: Hold LT and move the analog stick to move your lure in the water to attract fish. You'll see shadowed fish approach your lure. 4. **Hook the fish**: Press RT when the fish bites (wait for the three splash sounds). 5. **Fight the fish**: The fish will swim left and right — angle your rod in the opposite direction to tire it out. When the splashing calms down and the fish stops thrashing, reel it in by rotating the right analog stick clockwise. Stop reeling if it begins to thrash again. Repeat until caught. 6. **Important**: Never try to reel constantly or force the fish in — the line will break. Fishing is a timing-based mini-game. ## Bare-Hands Fishing Wade into shallow water and hold the pickup button (X) to grab fish by hand. This is faster and simpler but only yields smaller, common species. Rare and legendary fish cannot be caught this way.
Fishing Rods
Basic Fishing Rod
Reliable basic rod that handles all regular fish. Sufficient for most of the early and mid game.
How to get: Free pickup south of Hanand (near river boxes), or buy from vendors for 15 copper, or received from Annabella's Request quest
Fine Fishing Rod
Slightly speeds up bite time compared to the Basic Rod, but the improvement is marginal. Not considered worth the cost by most players.
How to get: Purchase the blueprint from Grimrak at the Back Alley Shop for 10 Silver, then craft at the Blacksmith with 10x Fine Timber, 10x Iron Ore, 3x Thick Hide, and 10x Feather
Pororin Fishing Rod
The best fishing rod for catching legendary fish. This is the only rod that reliably catches all five legendary fish. Highly recommended to obtain before attempting legendary catches.
How to get: Unlock research at Pororin (southeast of Hernand Highlands), complete research tasks, then send camp teams on dispatch missions to obtain it
The Claw
A special fishing rod obtained through the trust system with the traveling trader Patrigo.
How to get: Acquired from trader Patrigo after reaching 100 Trust with him (available after Chapter 3)
Fishing Spots
The closest fishing spot to your camp at Howling Hill. Located southeast of Hernand. Finley operates the Hernand Fishing Shop here, selling the Basic Fishing Rod (15 copper) and various fish.
Vendor: Finley
Located on the south side of Rocca's Hill, directly east of Hernand. Hailard runs the fishing shop here. Note: the dock may be overrun with bandits that need to be cleared first.
Vendor: Hailard
Deep water fishing spot north of Hernand by the bridge. One of the best early spots due to deep water. Stay away from rocks or sunken trees — line breaks on contact with debris.
The pool before Three Saints' Fall, north across the bridge near the Wycliffe Mappery. This is where Annabella sends you to catch a Tench for her quest.
Mountain streams in the Hernand Highlands, good for catching Lenok and Trout.
Coastal areas in Deleysia opening up saltwater species. Later-game region with larger and more valuable fish.
Coastal fishing areas in Pailune with access to saltwater species.
Legendary Fish
Clockwork Fish
LegendarySmall stream southeast of Tashkalp
Coelacanth
LegendaryWest of the Cliff of Despair in Deleysia, in the river between Delysia and Dewhaven
Golden Carp
LegendarySmall lake east of the Argent Peaks in Pailune
Golden Coelacanth
LegendaryBeside the waterfall south of Forebearer's Barrens in Pailune, near Deadfire Mountain
Golden Tench
LegendaryStream southwest of the Mountain of Frozen Souls, at the very south of Hernand
All Fish Species
Freshwater (29)
Saltwater (14)
Cooking Recipes
Fish are primarily used in cooking recipes. Cleaning a caught fish at a campfire or butchery station yields Fish Fillet. Eating raw fish yields pitiful health returns; cooking drastically multiplies their healing properties.
Fish Porridge
Ingredients: Fish + Grains + Water
Effects: Health +240, Ice Resistance Lv 4 for 60 seconds
Steamed Fish
Ingredients: 2 Northern Pike, 1 Shineberry, 2 Barley, 3 Water
Effects: Health +280, Spirit +26
Battered Seafood
Ingredients: 2 Fish (or 4 Fish Fillet), 2 Onion (or Flax/Cucumber/Turnip/Beet), 2 Egg, 3 Cooking Oil
Effects: Health +260, Spirit +24, Fire Resistance Lv 4
Vegetable & Seafood Porridge
Ingredients: 1 Fish (or 2 Fish Fillet), 2 Lentils, 3 Onion, 3 Water
Effects: Health +240, Spirit +22, Ice Resistance Lv 4
Seafood Stew
Ingredients: Various fish and vegetables
Effects: Health +260, Spirit +24, Ice Resistance Lv 6 for 60 seconds
Fish Skewers
Ingredients: Fish-based
Effects: Restores health, provides small containers when consumed
What to Do with Fish
Selling for Profit
Selling cooked fish to vendors is one of the easiest ways to earn copper and silver during the early campaign. Regular fish sell for modest amounts; legendary fish sell for approximately 10 silver each.
Cat Taming
Fish can be fed to stray cats found around Pywel to build trust. After petting a cat and offering raw fish, you can eventually reach 100 Trust and adopt it as a pet companion.
Related Quests
Annabella's Request
Annabella is a saddler at the Hernand Saddlery who asks Kliff to catch a Tench for its shimmering scales to fashion a saddle. She provides a free fishing rod and directs you to the pool near Three Saints' Fall. Alternatively, buy a Tench from Hailard for 79 copper. Deliver the fish to Bloomwood Ranch southeast of Hernand.
Rewards: Inventory expansion, dried fish, and you keep the fishing rod
Renee's Request (Fish Porridge)
Renee asks you to cook Fish Porridge using fish, grains, and water at a campfire.
Rewards: Quest completion rewards
Tips
- Unlock fishing as early as possible by observing the fishermen right after exiting the Abyss — don't follow Sebastian immediately.
- Avoid fishing near rocks, sunken trees, and other obstacles. Your line will break on contact with debris.
- For best results, fish in deeper water with no obstacles. The bridge north of Hernand is an excellent early spot.
- When fishing in streams, wade in a bit and face upstream so the current isn't working against you.
- Never try to reel in constantly — wait until the fish stops thrashing (splashing calms down, controller stops vibrating) before reeling.
- Most failed attempts come from reeling too early. Patience is key.
- Keep caught fish as whole fish rather than filleting them immediately — whole fish generally provide better value in recipes.
- Cooking fish drastically multiplies their healing properties compared to eating them raw.
- Selling cooked fish is one of the best money-making strategies in the early game.
- Check the Knowledge menu's Aquatic Creatures tab and use 'Open Map' to locate specific fish species you've already discovered.
- Fishing villages appear as boat icons on the world map.
- You can skip rod fishing entirely for Annabella's quest by buying a Tench from Hailard at Rodbel Fishing Dock for 79 copper.
- Get the Pororin Fishing Rod before attempting to catch any legendary fish — it's the only rod that reliably catches them.
- Legendary fish take multiple reel phases to land and sell for approximately 10 silver each.
- Fish can be fed to stray cats to build trust and eventually adopt them as pet companions.
Fishing & Cooking Strategy
Fishing is more than just a mini-game in Crimson Desert — the fish you catch are essential cooking ingredients. Cooked meals provide temporary buffs to attack, defense, stamina, and health regeneration. Before challenging a difficult boss, stock up on high-quality fish and cook buff meals. Selling cooked fish is one of the best early-game money-making strategies. Get the Pororin Fishing Rod before attempting legendary catches — it's the only rod that reliably catches all five legendary fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I start fishing in Crimson Desert?
- Watch the fishermen right after exiting the Abyss for the first time — hold the observation button until the learning bar fills. This unlocks fishing and gives you a basic rod. Alternatively, visit the Hernand Provisioner shop, pick up a free rod south of Hanand, complete Annabella's quest, or buy one for 15 copper.
- Is fishing worth doing?
- Yes — fish are used in cooking recipes that provide valuable combat buffs. Cooked fish also sell well to vendors, making fishing one of the best early money-making strategies. Fish can also be fed to stray cats to tame them as pet companions.
- Where is the best place to fish?
- For beginners, the Nas River Fishing Dock and Bridge North of Hernand are excellent early spots. For legendary fish, you need the Pororin Fishing Rod and must visit specific locations like Tashkalp (Clockwork Fish) or Deleysia (Coelacanth).