Fishing guide: rod crafting, bait system, and where to catch each fish

Prerequisites for Fishing

Before you can start fishing, you need two things: a Fishing Rod and access to water that contains fish. The Fishing Rod recipe unlocks when you obtain a Stapler for the first time. Once you have that, you can craft the rod at a Crafting Bench using the following materials:

• 2 Wood
• 1 Plant Fiber
• 1 Cloth Scrap

With the rod in hand, approach any body of water — even small ones like the lobby fountain can contain fish. Hold left click to prepare the cast, then release to throw the hook in the direction you are looking. If a fish is present, a small shadow will appear and swim around before biting.

How the Bait System Works

Bait is the core mechanic that determines which fish you catch. The official wiki states that bait is used with the Fishing Rod and increases the odds of catching different fish. Each species of fish has a specific bait type that improves your chances of catching it.

The critical rule to understand: each new species you catch unlocks its specific bait recipe. This means your first priority when fishing should be catching one of every fish you can find. After you catch a species for the first time, you gain permanent access to craft its matching bait. This unlock does not reset or expire.

Bait is applied to the rod before casting. Without bait equipped, you will catch fish at much lower rates or not at all. Fish Traps also require bait — place a trap in fishable water, add the appropriate bait, and check back later for passive catches.

Fishing Route: From First Catch to Bait Unlocks

The most efficient path through the fishing system follows a clear sequence:

1. Craft the rod and test safe water first. Start with water sources near your base or in low-danger areas. The lobby fountain, office water features, and early-sector pools are good candidates. Cast without bait to see if fish shadows appear. Skip rare-fish hunting at this stage; confirm which water sources are fishable and catch your first species.

2. Catch one of each species you encounter. Every time you land a new fish, check your crafting menu to see if a new bait recipe appeared. This unlock is permanent, so even a single catch pays dividends forever. Focus on variety over quantity during this phase. If you catch the same species repeatedly, move to a different water source to find new ones.

3. Craft and use the matching bait for your target species. Once you have unlocked bait for a specific fish, craft it and apply it to the rod before casting. This dramatically improves your odds of catching that species. If you want a different fish, switch bait accordingly.

4. Place Fish Traps only after you know what a pool produces. Traps are best for water sources you pass regularly. Once you have identified that a specific pool contains a useful species, place a trap with the matching bait and check it between normal routes. Do not rely on traps for first-time species discovery — active fishing is more reliable for unlocks.

Decision Table: Choosing Where and How to Fish

Recovery Advice: When Fishing Goes Wrong

Fishing can fail in several predictable ways. Use these recovery checks:

Nothing bites after multiple casts. First, check that you have bait equipped on the rod. If you do, the water source may not contain fish, or the fish present may not respond to your current bait. Try a different bait type or move to another water source.

You catch the same species repeatedly. This means you have found a pool with a limited variety. Move to a different water body to find new species. Different water sources in different sectors contain different fish.

You run out of bait mid-session. Always carry extra crafting materials for bait. If you are far from base, you may need to return early. Store bait materials near your rod to avoid this problem in the future.

A dangerous zone kills you while fishing. Never fish in portal or late-game areas without proper protection. Bring zone-appropriate gear, know the exit route, and do not linger after you have what you need. If you die, your rod and bait may be lost in a dangerous location — recover them before returning to fish.

Bait Storage and Organization

Bait and bait materials should be stored separately from general food supplies. If bait sits with cooking ingredients, it will be consumed for other purposes and your fishing loop will stall. Keep one small crate labeled for rod, bait, and trap supplies. After every fishing trip, restock that crate before sorting fish into cooking storage.

When Fishing Becomes Worthwhile

Fishing is not a priority during the first hours of the game. Get your bed, Crafting Bench, storage, and water supply stable first. A Fishing Rod does not protect you during raids, does not open locked doors, and does not replace basic food planning.

Fishing becomes valuable once you can safely revisit the same water source and keep bait organized near the rod. At that point, fish provide a reliable food source, and some species drop rarer crafting resources. The bait unlock system means that early effort pays off permanently — each first catch makes future fishing more efficient.