Overview
Fishing is one of the core gathering activities in Crimson Desert, offering players a reliable source of food ingredients and early-game income. 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.
Fish are primarily used in cooking recipes. Cleaning a caught fish at a campfire or butchery station yields Fish Fillet, the key ingredient in dishes like Fish Porridge, Battered Fish, Fish Skewers, and Grilled Meat and Fish. Selling cooked fish to vendors is one of the easiest ways to earn copper and silver during the early chapters of the story.
Fishing Mechanics
Fishing with a rod follows a multi-step minigame. The core loop involves casting your line, hooking a fish, tiring it out through tension management, and then reeling it in. The system is similar to the fishing mechanics found in games like Red Dead Redemption 2, placing emphasis on patience and directional control rather than quick-time events.
Learning to Fish
Kliff can learn the fishing skill by observing fishermen at the Nas River Fishing Dock. Hold the observe button (L1 on controller) near a fisherman to gain the knowledge. Alternatively, completing Annabella's Request provides you with a free fishing rod and teaches the basics.
Step-by-Step Rod Fishing
Equip the rod: Open the quick menu (hold left D-pad on controller or T on PC) and toggle the fishing rod into the tool slot on the bottom right of the weapon wheel.
Cast your line: Approach a body of water at least knee-deep. Press and hold the aim button (L2 or Q) and look for a blue circle indicator on the water's surface. Release to cast. Longer holds cast further out.
Wait for a bite: Watch for splashing on the water's surface and listen for an audio cue. On controller, you will also feel a vibration when a fish takes the bait.
Hook the fish: Press the hook button (R2) as soon as you see splashes or feel the vibration to set the hook.
Tire out the fish: Use the left stick (or WASD on PC) to pull the rod in the opposite direction the fish is swimming. If the fish swims right, pull left, and vice versa. Do not attempt to reel during this phase or the line will snap.
Reel it in: When the fish stops thrashing and the water calms (no visible bubbles), rotate the right stick clockwise (or scroll the mouse wheel) to reel it in. If the fish starts fighting again, stop reeling immediately and repeat the tiring step.
Land the fish: Continue the tire-and-reel cycle until the fish is fully pulled to shore. It will be added to your inventory automatically.
If you get stuck on an obstacle or the tension gets too high, press the right directional button to cut the line and avoid breaking your rod. You will lose the fish but keep your equipment intact.
Fishing Rod Types
There are several fishing rods available in Crimson Desert. Better rods reduce wait times between bites and improve reeling efficiency, making it easier to land larger and rarer fish.
Rod | How to Obtain | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Basic Fishing Rod | Purchase from Provisioner shops, Finley at Nas River dock, or Hailard at Rodbel Fishing Dock | 15 Copper | The starter rod. Adequate for common freshwater fish. No bait required. |
Fine Fishing Rod | Craft via blueprint purchased from Grimrak at the Back Alley Shop (south of House of Healing) | 10 Silver (blueprint) | Crafting requires: 10x Fine Timber, 10x Iron Ore, 3x Thick Hide, 10x Feather. Reduces bite wait time and improves reeling speed. |
Pororin Fishing Rod | Complete the 'Secret Tools of Life' research project (2C) at Pororin Village, southeast of Hernand Highlands | 500 Silver (research cost) | One of the best rods in the game. Recommended for catching legendary fish. Completion time is 1 day and 4 hours. |
Freshwater Fish
Freshwater fish are found in the rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams scattered across Pywel's inland regions. The Nas River near Howling Hill is the earliest and most accessible freshwater fishing spot. The following 26 freshwater species have been confirmed in the game.
Fish | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Anglerfish | Freshwater | Found in deeper freshwater bodies |
Barred Knifejaw | Freshwater | An uncommon catch in rivers and lakes |
Bass | Freshwater | Common across most rivers. Good for early cooking recipes |
Carp | Freshwater | Widely available in ponds and slow-moving rivers |
Catfish | Freshwater | Found in deeper river sections and large ponds |
Crucian Carp | Freshwater | A smaller carp species found in calm waters |
Electric Eel | Freshwater | An uncommon species found in select freshwater locations |
Freshwater Eel | Freshwater | Found in rivers and streams across Hernand |
Giant Pond Loach | Freshwater | A larger variant of the Pond Loach found in ponds |
Lenok | Freshwater | Found in cold mountain streams and highland rivers |
Leopard Perch | Freshwater | A patterned perch species found in mid-level rivers |
Northern Pike | Freshwater | A large predatory fish found in deeper rivers and lakes |
Opaleye | Freshwater | Found in freshwater bodies. Not to be confused with the saltwater Crimson Opaleye |
Perch | Freshwater | Common in rivers and lakes throughout the Hernand region |
Pond Loach | Freshwater | A small, common fish. Available for purchase at fishing shops for 27 Copper |
Ricefish | Freshwater | A tiny fish found in shallow, slow-moving water |
Salmon | Freshwater | Found in rivers, particularly in the Hernand waterways |
Saw-Edged Perch | Freshwater | A distinctive perch variant with serrated fins |
Small Blackbrow Bleak | Freshwater | A very small fish found in streams and rivers |
Small Gudgeon | Freshwater | A tiny bottom-dwelling fish. Available at fishing shops for 27 Copper |
Small Minnow | Freshwater | One of the smallest fish. Commonly found in shallow streams |
Small Rasbora | Freshwater | A small schooling fish. Available at fishing shops for 27 Copper |
Small Spirlin | Freshwater | A tiny freshwater species found in clear streams |
Sockeye Salmon | Freshwater | A variant of salmon found in select rivers |
Tench | Freshwater | Required for Annabella's Request. Found in the pool near Three Saints' Fall, close to the Wycliffe Mappery. Available at fishing shops for 79 Copper |
Trout | Freshwater | Common in rivers and mountain streams |
Saltwater Fish
Saltwater fish inhabit the coastal waters and ocean-adjacent areas of Pywel. These species tend to be larger and more valuable than their freshwater counterparts, though they are typically found in later-game regions like Deleysia and the Pailune coastline. The following 13 saltwater species have been confirmed.
Fish | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Blackhead Seabream | Saltwater | Found in coastal waters |
Broadnose Sevengill Shark | Saltwater | A large and rare shark species found in deep coastal waters |
Crimson Opaleye | Saltwater | A distinctive saltwater species unique to the Crimson Desert coastline |
Giant Red Seabream | Saltwater | A large seabream species found in deeper ocean-adjacent waters |
Mackerel | Saltwater | A common saltwater fish found along coastlines |
Paddlefish | Saltwater | A large, distinctive species found in coastal and estuarine waters |
Red Seabream | Saltwater | Found in coastal waters throughout Pywel |
Red Tonguesole | Saltwater | A flatfish species found along the ocean floor in coastal areas |
Sailfish | Saltwater | A large, fast-swimming species. One of the more challenging catches |
Striped Marlin | Saltwater | A powerful saltwater game fish found in open coastal waters |
Sturgeon | Saltwater | A large and rare fish. Highly valued when sold to vendors |
Threeline Grunt | Saltwater | A mid-sized saltwater species found in coastal shallows |
Yellow Bass | Saltwater | Found in brackish and coastal waters. Available at fishing shops for 85 Copper |
Legendary Fish
There are five legendary fish scattered across Pywel. These extremely rare species can only be caught with a fishing rod (bare-hands fishing will not work) and require patience and a good rod. The Pororin Fishing Rod is recommended for landing legendary catches. Each legendary fish sells for approximately 10 Silver on average, making them some of the most valuable single catches in the game.
Legendary Fish | Location | Region |
|---|---|---|
Clockwork Fish | Small lake to the southeast of Tashkalp | |
Coelacanth | West of the Cliff of Despair | |
Golden Carp | Small lake to the east of the Argent Peaks | |
Golden Coelacanth | Beside the waterfall south of Forebearer's Barrens | |
Golden Tench | Stream southwest of the Mountain of Frozen Souls | Southern Hernand |
Crustaceans and Shellfish
In addition to fish, several crustacean and shellfish species can be gathered from water sources. These are classified separately from fish in the gatherables system.
Species | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Blue Crab | Crustacean | Found near coastal and river areas |
Crayfish | Crustacean | Found in freshwater rivers and streams |
Freshwater Clam | Shellfish | Gathered from riverbeds and lake bottoms |
Freshwater Crab | Crustacean | Found in freshwater areas along river banks |
Fishing Spot Locations
You can fish in any natural body of water that is at least knee-deep. However, certain locations feature dedicated fishing docks, nearby shops, and higher concentrations of fish. Fishing shops are marked on the map with a fish icon once discovered.
Nas River Fishing Dock
The Nas River is the closest fishing spot to your camp at Howling Hill. The dock is located southeast of Hernand and is where many early quests send you. Finley operates the Hernand Fishing Shop here, selling the Basic Fishing Rod (15 Copper) and several fish species. The Nas River yields a variety of common freshwater fish, making it an ideal starting location for new anglers.
Rodbel Fishing Dock
The Rodbel Fishing Dock sits on the south side of Rocca's Hill, directly east of Hernand. Hailard runs a fishing shop here, selling rods and fish including Pond Loach (27 Copper), Small Rasbora (27 Copper), Small Gudgeon (27 Copper), Tench (79 Copper), and Yellow Bass (85 Copper). Note that the area around Rodbel may contain hostile bandits that need to be cleared before you can fish safely.
Other Fishing Locations
Beyond the main docks, fishing is available throughout Pywel wherever you find deep enough water. Rivers and streams in the Hernand region provide reliable freshwater fishing, while coastal areas in Deleysia and Pailune open up saltwater species. Mountain streams in higher elevations like the Hernand Highlands are good spots for species like Lenok and Trout. Check the Knowledge menu's Aquatic Creatures tab and use the 'Open Map' function to locate specific species you have already discovered.
Bare-Hands Fishing
Crimson Desert allows you to catch fish without a rod by wading into shallow water and grabbing them directly. This method is faster and simpler than rod fishing, though it generally yields only smaller, common species.
How It Works
Wade into the water: Walk into ankle-to-waist-deep water in rivers, streams, ponds, or at lake edges.
Spot the fish: Look down into the water to see rendered fish models swimming around. You may need to move slowly to avoid scaring them away.
Grab the fish: Walk close to a fish model until an interact prompt appears on screen. Press the interact button (E on PC or the face button on controller) and Kliff will reach down and snatch the fish bare-handed.
No minigame: The fish is added directly to your inventory with no animation delay, tension management, or failure risk.
Bare-hands fishing is ideal for quickly gathering common fish for cooking ingredients. However, rarer and larger species (including all legendary fish) require a rod. This method cannot be used in deep water or at coastal fishing spots.
Cooking Uses
Fish are a versatile cooking ingredient. Cleaning a fish at a campfire or butchery station produces Fish Fillet, which is used in multiple recipes. Below are the confirmed fish-based dishes.
Recipe | Ingredients | Effect |
|---|---|---|
1 Fish (or 2 Fish Fillet), 1 Grain (Barley, Wheat, Beans, Lentils, or Peas), 1 Salt, 3 Water | Health +240, Ice Resistance Lv. 4 (1 min) | |
Battered Fish | 1 Fish (or 2 Fish Fillet), 1 Egg, 3 Cooking Oil | Health +100 |
Fish Skewers | 1 Fish, 1 Vegetable (Onion, Flax, Cucumber, Turnip, or Beet) | Health +80 |
Grilled Meat and Fish | 1 Meat, 1 Fish | Health +120, Fire Resistance Lv. 2 (30 sec) |
The Fish Porridge recipe is taught by Renee, the butcher in Hernand, as part of Renee's Request. This is one of the most useful early-game dishes, providing solid health recovery and cold resistance for exploration in icy regions.
Annabella's Request
One of the earliest fishing-related quests in the game is Annabella's Request. Annabella is a saddler at the Hernand Saddlery who asks Kliff to catch a Tench for its scales. She provides a free fishing rod and directs you north across the bridge to the pool near Three Saints' Fall, close to the Wycliffe Mappery. After catching the Tench, deliver it to Bloomwood Ranch southeast of Hernand. Rewards include an inventory expansion, dried fish, and you keep the fishing rod.
Tips and Tricks
Use the Knowledge menu: Once you discover a fish species, its location is marked in the Knowledge tab under Creatures > Aquatic Creatures. Select 'Open Map' to find the best spot to catch that species again.
Avoid obstacles: Fish in open, deeper water away from rocks and other obstacles. Casting near rocks increases the chance of snagging your line.
Never reel while the fish is fighting: The most common mistake is trying to reel in while the fish is still thrashing. Wait for the splashing and bubbles to stop completely before rotating the right stick.
Pull in the opposite direction: When the fish swims left, pull right. When it swims right, pull left. This is the key to tiring the fish out quickly without snapping the line.
Upgrade your rod: The Fine Fishing Rod significantly reduces bite wait times. If you plan to fish regularly, invest in the blueprint from Grimrak's Back Alley Shop early.
Sell cooked fish for profit: Raw fish sell for modest amounts, but cooking them into dishes like Fish Porridge and Battered Fish increases their value. Fish at the Nas River, cook at the nearest campfire, and sell in Hernand for a steady income loop.
Bare-hands for bulk gathering: When you just need common fish for cooking, wade into shallow water and grab them by hand. It is significantly faster than rod fishing for small species.
Save the Pororin Rod for legendaries: The Pororin Fishing Rod requires a 500 Silver research investment and over a day of waiting. Prioritize it when you are ready to pursue the five legendary fish.
Feed fish to cats: Raw fish can be given to stray cats to build trust and befriend them.
Cast distance matters: Longer casts by holding the aim button reach deeper water where larger fish may be hiding. Short casts near the shore tend to attract smaller species.
Tracking Your Progress
All discovered fish species appear in the Knowledge menu under Creatures > Aquatic Creatures. Each entry displays the fish's name, an illustration (or a question mark for undiscovered species), and a map marker showing where to find it. Filling out the full aquatic creatures log is a long-term completionist goal, with all 51 species tracked across freshwater, saltwater, and legendary categories.