Thanks to Electroly on the Klei forums for putting out a guide on this; it really helped my understanding of fishing as a mechanic and the various intricacies of it. So, shout-outs to them! Fishing in Don’t Starve Together may seem straightforward at first, but there’s a lot that goes on beneath the surface that is worth exploring.

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Pond Fishing: The Basics

There are two types of ponds where players can fish:

1. Surface Ponds – Found in the overworld, yielding freshwater fish.
2. Cave Ponds – Found in the caves, yielding eels.

Fishing in these ponds is relatively simple:

• Use a Freshwater Fishing Rod to cast your line.
• Once a fish bites, right-click (or the equivalent button) to hook it.
• Right-click again to reel it in.

Pond fishing is one of the easier food sources early in the game, but ocean fishing is where things get more complicated.

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Ocean Fishing: Getting Started

To start fishing in the ocean, you will need a Sea Fishing Rod, which differs from the freshwater rod by allowing tackles and lures to be attached.

Essential Boat Setup for Fishing

Before heading out to sea, prepare your boat with the following items:

• Boat & Fire Pit – A light source that won’t cause fires.
• Icebox – Stores food and thermal stones for prolonged trips.
• Lightning Rod – Essential during Spring.
• Tin Fishin’ Bin – Helps store fish without them spoiling.
• Driftwood or Logs – Needed for crafting oars.
• Watering Can – Prevents summer wildfires.

Avoid using a boat mast while fishing, as it can catch fire or attract Levy Jones.

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Fishing Mechanics: How It Works

1. Casting – Use the rod to cast into the ocean.
2. Hooking – Once a fish bites, right-click to hook it.
3. Reeling In – Pay attention to your character’s stance:
   • Relaxed Stage: Fish is coming in easily – keep reeling.
   • Reeling Stage: Fish is fighting but not too strongly – proceed with caution.
   • Strained Stage: Fish is struggling intensely – stop reeling or the line will snap.

Each fish has stamina, meaning if you wait long enough during the strained stage, they will eventually tire out, allowing you to reel them in safely.

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Fishing Equipment Overview

Floats

Floats help improve casting range and accuracy. Available options include:

• Twig – Basic and free.
• Wooden Ball – Slightly better than a twig.
• Slip Bobber – Provides more range.
• Hardened Rubber Bung – Good range but less accuracy.
• Feather Float – More accuracy, less range.
• Albatross & Moose/Goose Floats – Best range and accuracy.

In general, Feather Floats or Albatross/Moose Goose Floats are the best options.

Lures: Reusable vs. Consumable

Lures are used to attract different types of fish.

• Reusable Lures (crafted at the Tackle Receptacle):
  • Spoons – Works for most fish but excludes some rare ones.
  • Spinnerbait – Strongest lure but only works on large fish.
  • Pearl’s Lures – Special lures that attract any fish.
• Consumable Lures:
  • Rot (10 Charm)
  • Seeds (20 Charm)
  • Berries/Juicy Berries (30 Charm)
  • Figs (50 Charm)

In general, Rot and Berries are the easiest consumable lures to use.

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Best Baits for Each Fish

Each fish species has different preferences for bait and lures:

• Runty Guppy, Needle Nosed Squirt, Smolt Fry → Use spoons or berries.
• Mudfish, Black Catfish, Dappled Koi, Golden Koi, Icebream → Use spinnerbait.
• Bitty Baitfish, Scorching Sunfish → Use rot.
• Deep Bass, Dandy Lionfish → Use any bait but avoid seeds.
• Popperfish, Fall Flounder, Bloomfin Tuna, Spittlefish → Use seeds, berries, or figs.
• Corn Cod → Use seeds or figs.
• Lobsters, Lunar Lobsters → Use any bait except seeds.
• Swedish Fish → Use figs or berries.

Some fish are seasonal, such as:

• Icebream (Winter only)
• Sunfish (Summer only)
• Fallounder (Fall only)
• Bloomfin Tuna (Spring only)

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General Fishing Tips

• Fish in Shoals – Shoals have visible map icons and contain multiple fish.
• Beware of Albatross – If you fish too much at a Shoal, Albatross will spawn.
• Use the Right Lure – Some fish dislike certain baits, reducing effectiveness.
• Reset Fishing Chances – If a fish isn’t biting, reel back and cast again.
• Don’t Overlook Lobsters – Lunar Lobsters and regular lobsters have high nutritional value.

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Conclusion

Fishing in Don’t Starve Together is much deeper than it appears on the surface. Whether you’re looking to stock up on food, gather rare fish, or farm special seasonal species, understanding fishing mechanics can make a huge difference. Hopefully, this guide helps you become a more proficient fisher in the game!

Let me know in the comments what your favorite fishing strategy is. Happy fishing, and see you next time!