Fishing is a relaxing and profitable side activity in Windrose. You can fish from your ship at any time while at sea, making it a perfect way to earn passive gold during long voyages. Caught fish can be sold at market ports, cooked into provisions for your crew, or used in crafting recipes.
The fishing minigame is simple to learn but has depth for completionists. You cast a line, wait for a bite, then play a timing based reeling minigame to land the catch. Different regions host different fish, and rare species require specific bait and conditions to appear.
Fishing is fully PvE and solo friendly, with zero combat risk. It is the lowest stress way to earn gold in the game, and it doubles as a crew provisioning source, since cooked fish restore morale and hunger during voyages.
- Where to fish: Anywhere at sea from your ship
- Uses: Sell, cook provisions, craft
- Risk: None, fully PvE
- Best for: Passive income during voyages
How Fishing Works in Windrose
Fishing is a relaxing and profitable side activity in Windrose. You can fish from your ship at any time while at sea, making it a perfect way to earn passive gold during long voyages. Caught fish can be sold at market ports, cooked into provisions for your crew, or used in crafting recipes.
The fishing minigame is simple to learn but has depth for completionists. You cast a line, wait for a bite, then play a timing based reeling minigame to land the catch. Different regions host different fish, and rare species require specific bait and conditions to appear.
Fishing is fully PvE and solo friendly, with zero combat risk. It is the lowest stress way to earn gold in the game, and it doubles as a crew provisioning source, since cooked fish restore morale and hunger during voyages.
- Where to fish: Anywhere at sea from your ship
- Uses: Sell, cook provisions, craft
- Risk: None, fully PvE
- Best for: Passive income during voyages
The Fishing Minigame Explained
The fishing minigame has three phases: casting, waiting, and reeling. Mastering each phase improves your catch rate and lets you land rarer fish.
Phase 1 -- Casting: Press the cast button to throw your line. A timing meter determines cast distance and accuracy. Hit the green zone for an optimal cast, which slightly increases bite speed and rarity chances.
Phase 2 -- Waiting: Wait for a bite. You will see the line tug and hear a sound cue. React quickly when the bite happens, or the fish escapes. Better bait reduces wait time.
Phase 3 -- Reeling: The core minigame. A tension meter and a moving fish indicator appear. Keep the indicator within the green zone by adjusting your reel direction. If tension goes too high, the line snaps. If it stays balanced long enough, you land the fish.
| Phase | Key Skill | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Casting | Timing | Hit green zone for rarity boost |
| Waiting | Reaction | React fast to the bite cue |
| Reeling | Balance | Keep tension out of the red |
The reeling phase is where most catches are lost. The trick is small, smooth adjustments rather than overcorrecting. Rarer fish move more erratically, so stay calm and follow their pattern.
All Fish Types and Where to Find Them
Different regions of the map host different fish species, and each has a value and difficulty. Here is the full list of fish types and their locations to help you complete your catch log.
| Fish | Region | Value | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mackerel | Marigold Reach | 15 gold | Easy |
| Cod | Saltmere Straits | 25 gold | Easy |
| Swordfish | The Doldrums | 60 gold | Medium |
| Anglerfish | Corsair Isles | 90 gold | Hard |
| Golden Tuna | Shattered Coast | 150 gold | Very hard |
| Leviathan Eel | Deep waters, rare | 300 gold | Extreme |
Common fish like mackerel and cod are easy catches in safe waters and sell for modest gold. The valuable targets are the golden tuna in the Shattered Coast and the ultra rare leviathan eel found only in deep waters with premium bait. Landing a leviathan eel is a badge of honor among Windrose anglers.
Bait matters. Basic bait works for common fish, but rare species require specialty bait crafted from cooking stations or bought at fishing supply vendors in major ports.
Tips to Catch Every Fish
If you are aiming to complete your fish log and land the rarest catches, these advanced tips will save you time and frustration.
Advanced fishing tips:
- Use the right bait: Rare fish only bite on specialty bait. Craft or buy it before targeting golden tuna or leviathan eels.
- Fish in the right region: Each species only appears in its home region. Check the table above.
- Upgrade your rod: Better fishing rods increase tension tolerance, making hard fish easier to land.
- Fish at dawn and dusk: Rare fish have a higher spawn chance during these in game times.
- Cook your catch: Cooking fish into provisions is often worth more than selling raw, and it feeds your crew.
The fishing rod upgrade is the most impactful investment for serious anglers. A top tier rod dramatically increases your tension tolerance, which is the difference between landing and losing a golden tuna during its erratic reeling phase.
Fishing also pairs perfectly with trading. Drop a line while sailing between ports on a trade route, and you earn passive gold on top of your cargo profits with no extra effort.