99 Nights in the Forest – Fishing Guide: How to Catch Fish, Upgrade Rods, and Get Rare Loot
Fishing is one of the most useful survival mechanics in Roblox 99 Nights in the Forest, giving players a steady source of food, rare resources, and even special weapons. Added in a recent update, the fishing system brings new adventures that facilitate resource gathering, though they require timing, rod upgrades, and knowledge of where to cast your line.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to get started with fishing, how to make the most of the mini-game, where to find different fish, and tips to maximize your success.
How do you Start Fishing in 99 Nights in the Forest?
To start fishing, players need to obtain the Old Rod, which is the entry-level fishing tool. This can be acquired either from the Fishing Shack, marked by a fishing pole symbol on the map, or purchased from the Pelt Trader. If you choose the Fisherman class, you’ll skip this step since it begins with an Old Rod already equipped.
Fishing works by locating white ripple spots in ponds across the map. These ripples indicate active fishing zones. Once you cast your line into a ripple, you’ll enter the fishing mini-game. This requires precise timing: pressing the correct button when the red bar overlaps the green rectangle will fill a progress bar, eventually pulling up a fish. The rarer the fish, the more challenging the timing becomes, with faster-moving bars and tighter green zones.
At first, you’ll mostly catch common fish like Mackerel or Salmon, but persistence and better rods will open up access to rarer, more rewarding catches.
How do Fishing Rods and Upgrades Work in 99 Nights in the Forest??
Fishing rods in 99 Nights in the Forest are progressive tools that grow stronger through use. Every successful catch grants rod XP, with harder fish awarding more. Once your rod’s XP bar is full, you can upgrade it at the Fishing Shack by interacting with the crafting table while holding your rod.
The progression is straightforward:
- Old Rod: Starter rod, slow XP gain, struggles with rare fish.
- Good Rod: Easier timing windows, better chance of pulling rarer fish.
- Strong Rod: Top-tier rod, ideal for high-value catches like Sharks or Swordfish.
Upgrading takes time, since XP gain per catch is fairly low, but it’s worth the grind. A stronger rod not only improves your fishing efficiency but also makes farming rare drops far more reliable.
What Fish and Items Can You Catch While Fishing?
Fishing can reward you with both food and valuable resources, as well as healing items, and even weapons. There are eight unique fish and one junk item, each with their own effects.
The fish you can catch include the following:
- Mackerel: Common catch, restores small hunger.
- Salmon: Common-to-uncommon, fills more hunger than Mackerel.
- Clownfish: A basic fish found in several ponds.
- Swordfish: Higher-value fish, tougher mini-game.
- Jellyfish: Provides a temporary speed boost when eaten raw.
- Char: Cold-biome fish with decent hunger restore.
- Eel: Cold-biome fish, slightly rarer.
- Shark: The most filling fish, providing massive hunger recovery.
- Old Boot: Junk catch, no value beyond novelty.
As mentioned above, beyond fish, you can also reel in survival essentials and rare loot:
- Healing items like Bandages and Medkits
- Ammo and weapons such as Rifles, Revolvers, and Tridents
- Crafting scraps like Sheet Metal, Radios, Tires, or Car Engines
- Special drops like the Cultist Gem or Gem of the Forest Fragment
This makes fishing an excellent way to restock between encounters, especially if you’re far from major loot zones.
Where Can You Find the Best Fishing Spots?
Fishing spots are spread across several unique ponds, each with their own loot tables. Knowing where to fish is key to targeting specific catches.
- Fresh Pond: Contains Mackerel, Salmon, and Clownfish.
- Algal Pond: Contains Salmon, Clownfish, and Swordfish.
- Bone Pond: Contains Swordfish, Jellyfish, and Sharks.
- Cold Pond: Found in the Cold Hut biome, containing Char and Eel.
Bone Ponds are the best place for high-value fishing, as they provide access to rare fish, weapons, and crafting resources. Cold Ponds, meanwhile, are unique for the Char and Eel, which can’t be found elsewhere.
What Are the Best Fishing Tips for 99 Nights in the Forest?
The fishing system in 99 Nights in the Forest is straightforward, but a few tricks will help you get the most out of it.
- Upgrade your rod early: The Old Rod struggles with rarer catches; upgrade as soon as possible.
- Target special ponds: Bone Ponds and Cold Ponds yield the rarest and most rewarding catches.
- Use Jellyfish wisely: Eat raw for a burst of speed, perfect for escaping danger.
- Cook when possible: Most fish restore double hunger when cooked at a campfire.
- Farm during quiet nights: Fishing leaves you vulnerable; safer nights are best for uninterrupted sessions.
By combining rod upgrades with smart pond choices, you’ll steadily build a stockpile of both food and rare resources.
Fishing in 99 Nights in the Forest is a gateway to rare loot and valuable upgrades. With patience, rod progression, and knowledge of the best fishing spots, players can secure everything from powerful weapons to gems.
Whether you’re looking to sustain your hunger, stock up on supplies, or chase rare catches like Sharks, the fishing system is worth investing in. And if you want to enjoy smoother gameplay, sharper visuals, and precise controls, try playing 99 Nights in the Forest on PC with BlueStacks. It’s the best way to make every fishing session count.
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