[Rho]

How do I learn to fish?

Find a fishing trainer (go to a capital city and ask a guard), and learn the Apprentice Fishing skill. You will also need a fishing pole, which are sold by fishing suppliers.

Where should I go to improve my fishing skill?

Your fishing skill will increase at the same rate each time you catch a fish. It does not matter where you fish, so long as you catch something. The most effective way to gain skill alone is therefore to fish where the fewest fish "get away". Initially fish in starting zones. At higher skill levels, consider fishing where you can catch something of value.

What do I need a higher fishing skill for?

Higher fishing skills allow you to fish in more "difficult" areas, which tend to have "better" fish. Higher skill reduces the proportion of your fish that "get away". Higher skill does not make you fish faster, reduce the proportion of casts that do not bite, or change the type of fish you catch.

What skill do I need to fish in...?

You must meet the base skill requirement of the area to cast a line. You need to exceed it by about 95 to completely stop fish "getting away".

What does the message... mean?

Sometime people start hearing things while fishing...

• "Your skill is not high enough to fish here" - Your current skill is below the base skill requirement of the area you are trying to fish in. Fish in a zone with a lower requirement, or try using lures to temporarily increase your skill.
• "No fish are hooked" - You reeled in the line too early or too late. Wait for the bobber to splash, then reel it in straight away.
• "Your fish got away!" - You reeled in at the right time, and while your skill is sufficient to fish here, it is not high enough to catch everything reliably.
• "The water is too shallow!" - Common in Outland, where you can only fish water that is deep enough for a Tauren to swim in. Outland fish evidently prefer deeper water than those in Azeroth.

How do I train as Expert, Artisan or Master? How can I increase my skill above 150, 225, or 300?

Expert fishing (150) is taught by the book Expert Fishing - The Bass and You, from Old Man Heming in Booty Bay, Stranglethorn Vale. Artisan fishing (225) is the reward for the quest "Nat Pagle, Angler Extreme", from Nat Pagle, on a small island in Dustwallow Marsh, just west of Theramore. Master fishing (300) is taught by the book Master Fishing - The Art of Angling, sold by Juno Duffrain, by the Umbrafen Lake in Cenarion Refuge, Zangarmarsh.

How can I exceed 375 skill?

Apply lures or equip fishing gear with bonuses to skill. Some areas have a base fishing skill requirement of 405, so cannot be fished using the individual's skill alone.

How do I unlearn fishing?

You can't forget how to fish! It's like learning to ride a 'strider. Fishing is a secondary professional skill, so there is no need to unlearn it.

How can I make money from fishing?

Try to fish Pure Water for Primal Water, catch and cook Furious Crawdad or other Outland fish that create buff-food such as Poached Bluefish, fish pools of wreckage, catch Stonescale Eels, fish patches of Elemental Water for Essence of Water, or catch Deviate Fish and cook Savory Deviate Delight. You will primarily make money from selling to others via the Auction House, not by selling to vendors. Consequently there is not "one best way to make money" - it will depend on the current supply and demand at your local Auction House.

Where can I catch a... ?

To find where to catch a specific fish, use the Fish Finder. An Introduction to Skill and Locations contains a list of the rules governing fish location. For a complete list of fish and locations, read the Gazetteer topic.

Where is the best place to catch Stonescale Eels?

The best place to catch Stonescale Eels is the Bay of Storms area of Azshara, between 00:00 and 06:00. For further evidence and discussion of the options, see the Catching Stonescale Eels topic.

How can I catch Winter Squid?

Winter Squid can only be caught between the autumn and spring equinoxes: Start of 23 September to the end of 19 March. The best catch rates are in the Bay of Storms area of Azshara, between 12:00 and 18:00.

How do I catch Mr. Pinchy and get a Magical Crawdad pet?

Mr. Pinchy is a rare catch from Highland Mixed Schools, found in flight-only areas of Terrokar Forest. These areas require an effective skill of at least 405 to cast a line. The Magical Crawdad non-combat pet is one of a number of possible gifts Mr. Pinchy may give.

Why can't I find a certain type of pool?

Not all pool types can be found in all zones. Study the Pools and Wreckage chapter for a list. If you still can't find the right pool, fish some other pools in the area, and then wait for new pools to appear. For a full explanation of why you should do this, read the Pool Appearance topic.

How can I track pools on the mini-map?

Learn the "Find Fish" ability from a Weather-Beaten Journal, then display fishing pools on the mini-map. Journals can be found in Curious Crate, Heavy Supply Crate, Iron Bound Trunk, Mithril Bound Trunk and Watertight Trunk. The journal requires at least 100 fishing skill to use.

Fishing is boring... How can I make it more interesting?

Some suggestions:

• Do a little at a time, for example while waiting for boats (felonyOne) or dungeons/battlegrounds to start (Falchan).
• If you are competitive, take part in the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza - even if you don't win, you will increase your skill while trying (WingedNazgul).
• Think about the rewards from your fishing - for example, profits from sales or lower cost of keeping a pet.
• Drink while fishing (Houdy/Pagle).
• Relax... chat, watch the world go by.