The act of fishing has many variables that go into determining what you catch. The most important of these are the biome you are fishing in, the time of day, the population of fish at the fishing spot, the rod you are using, and any quests that you may have active.
Fishing can only be performed at designated fishing spots by activating the nearby Fishing Supplies while holding a Fishing Rod. You can purchase fishing maps to locate certain fishing spots.
Rarity and SizeEdit
Fish can be common, uncommon, or rare, and are also either large or small. Large fish are used as Food, and small fish are used as Ingredients. Unless using certain fishing rods, there is an equal chance of a fish being large or small. Junk also has common, uncommon, and rare rarities, with some drops differing depending on whether the fishing spot can contain Dwemer items. It is worth noting that "junk" also includes artifacts and valuables such as the Mentor's Ring or Enchanted items.
TimeEdit
The time of day is also important for catching fish. During the hours of 6am to 9am and 6pm to 9pm, fishing spots will have more fish in them before running dry. This peak time also reduces the odds of caught fish being of common rarity, and increases the odds of fish being uncommon or rare.
PopulationEdit
A fishing spot's population is determined each day, and will typically have 5 or 6 fish. If you fish during peak hours, this increases to between 7 and 9 fish. As you empty the fishing spot of its fish, the odds of catching a fish decrease. If there are 4 or more fish left, there is a 90% chance of catching a fish and a 10% chance of catching a junk item. Once the fishing spot drops to 3 fish or fewer, these odds lower to 80% chance of catching a fish and 20% chance of catching junk. When the spot has dried up, there is of course a 0% chance of catching fish, and junk will be fished up every time.
Fishing RodsEdit
The fishing rod used by you has one of the biggest effects on your fishing odds. Alik'ri and Argonian Fishing Rods decrease the chances of a caught fish being common and increases the chance of it being uncommon or rare. All rare fish also can only be caught by using a specific rod. If you are not using that rod when a rare fish is pulled, you will receive the notification "You lost your catch." Alik'ri rods have an 80% chance of the fish being small and are required to catch Angelfish and Lyretail Anthias, while the Argonian rods have an 80% chance of the catch being large and are required to catch Angler and Scorpion Fish. The Dwarven Fishing Rod increases the odds of catching junk over fish, and further decreases the chances of catching a fish when the population of a spot is at 3 or less. The Dwarven Fishing Rod also reduces the odds of caught junk being common to increase the chance of it being uncommon and rare.
All three specialist fishing rods are acquired during the various quests given by Viriya (Alik'ri and Dwarven rods) and Swims-In-Deep-Water (Argonian rod). Acquiring each rod by these means also gives you the ability to craft them yourself if you should lose or sell the original.
BiomesEdit
There are 6 biomes that you can fish in. These are Freezing Waters, Underground, Temperate Lakes (Clear Weather), Temperate Lakes (Raining), Temperate Streams (Clear Weather), and Temperate Streams (Raining). These biomes determine what fish you can catch, and most fish are exclusive to a small number of biomes. This is also the only effect that the weather can have on fishing: determining the biome of temperate water sources. For example, a goldfish can be caught at a lake when the weather is clear, but cannot be caught when it is raining or at any other biome.
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Abecean Longfin Angler Larvae |
Juvenile Mudcrab | Junk |
| Large | Arctic Grayling | Arctic Char Cod |
Angler† |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Silverside Perch | Histcarp | Junk |
| Large | Direfish Glass Catfish |
Tripod Spiderfish Vampire Fish |
Scorpion Fish† |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Abecean Longfin Glassfish Silverside Perch |
Cyrodilic Spadetail Goldfish Juvenile Mudcrab Silverside Perch |
Angelfish‡ |
| Large | Salmon Slaughterfish |
Brook Bass Carp |
Junk |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Cyrodilic Spadetail | Abecean Longfin Glassfish Pearlfish Pygmy Sunfish |
Angelfish‡ |
| Large | Catfish | Salmon Slaughterfish |
Junk |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | River Betty | Histcarp Juvenile Mudcrab Spadefish |
Lyretail Anthias‡ |
| Large | Brook Bass Pogfish Salmon |
Carp | Junk |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | River Betty Spadefish |
Histcarp Juvenile Mudcrab Pearlfish |
Lyretail Anthias‡ |
| Large | Pogfish Salmon |
Brook Bass Slaughterfish |
Junk |
Catch ChancesEdit
The following tables include the catch chance of a fish/junk depending on rarity, time of day, and use of fishing rod. See population for the chance between catching a fish or junk.
If the player has a quest to fish an item from the fishing spot they're trying to fish at, there is a 50% chance that they catch their quest item. If they don't catch the quest item, their catch is calculated as normal.
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| During regular hours | |||
| Regular Rod | 75% | 22% | 3% |
| Alik'ri Rod | 55% | 35% | 10% |
| Argonian Rod | 55% | 35% | 10% |
| Dwarven Rod | 75% | 22% | 3% |
| During peak hours | |||
| Regular Rod | 65% | 27% | 8% |
| Alik'ri Rod | 45% | 40% | 15% |
| Argonian Rod | 45% | 40% | 15% |
| Dwarven Rod | 65% | 27% | 8% |
| Common | Uncommon | Rare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Rod | 65% | 32% | 3% |
| Alik'ri Rod | 65% | 32% | 3% |
| Argonian Rod | 65% | 32% | 3% |
| Dwarven Rod | 35% | 56% | 9% |
Junk DropsEdit
When you catch a junk item, there is an equal chance of catching each item within its rarity. Rare Artifacts can only be caught once.
StandardEdit
Most fishing locations will draw from these standard junk items.
CommonEdit
UncommonEdit
- Helmet, up to Ebony quality
- Boots, up to Dragonplate quality
- Alto Wine, Wine, or Ale
- Silver Goblet
- Troll Skull
- Ancient Nord weapon
- Mace, Sword, or War Axe, up to Daedric quality
RareEdit
- Denstagmer's Ring†
- Mentor's Ring†
- Ring of Kynareth†
- Ring of Phynaster†
- Ring of the Wind†
- Random enchanted ring
- Random enchanted one-handed weapon
- Random enchanted boots up to Daedric quality
- Random enchanted helmet up to Daedric quality
DwarvenEdit
There are five fishing spots that will draw from a special Dwemer junk item pool instead of regular junk items.
- Blackreach (map)
Bronze Water Cave — Both spots (map)
Deep Folk Crossing (map)
Markarth — The waterfall next to the Warrens (map)
CommonEdit
UncommonEdit
RareEdit
- Denstagmer's Ring†
- Mentor's Ring†
- Ring of Kynareth†
- Ring of Phynaster†
- Ring of the Wind†
- Random enchanted ring
- Enchanted one-handed Dwarven weapon
- Enchanted Dwarven Boots
- Enchanted Dwarven Helmet
Fishing LocationsEdit
There are a total of 69 fishing spots along Skyrim's many bodies of water (see Notes).
- 23 Freezing Waters, in the frozen north of Skyrim and Solstheim, many along the shore of the Sea of Ghosts
- 11 Underground, all located in various caves and subterranean areas
- 11 Lake mainly along Lake Honrich and Lake Ilinalta
- 24 Stream on many of Skyrim's rivers
The fishing spots, called Fishing Supplies, can be hard to find, especially when they are out in the wilderness and not at obvious locations, like a pier.
Fishing maps can be bought from merchants or found in game, with one map per region being available. They work similar to treasure maps, giving a rough idea of where some of the fishing spots are.
| Location | Biome | Body of Water | Region | Description | Map | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bronze Water Cave (map) |
Freezing Waters | Lake Yorgrim (map) | The Pale | South of the entrance to Bronze Water Cave, right next to the Aetherium Dynamo Actuator. The quest Beneath Bronze WatersCC will lead you here. This is a fishing spot that allows catching dwarven junk. |
Map | |
| Bronze Water Cave (map) |
Freezing Waters | Lake Yorgrim (map) | The Pale | Southeast of the entrance to Bronze Water Cave, next to the second Aetherium Dynamo Actuator. The quest Beneath Bronze WatersCC will lead you here. This is a fishing spot that allows catching dwarven junk. |
Map | |
 Skaal VillageDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | Eastern shore of Solstheim, north of Skaal Village. | Map | |
 Haknir's ShoalDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | On the little island where Haknir's Shoal is located, on the southwestern shore. | Map | |
| Bujold's RetreatDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | East of Bujold's Retreat on the pier. | Map | |
 Northshore LandingDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | Northern shore of Northshore Landing, east of the ship. | Map | |
 Raven RockDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | Southern tip of the short pier in Raven Rock. | Map | |
 Damphall MineDB (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | SolstheimDB | West of Damphall Mine, on the tongue of land next to the boat. | Map | |
 Fort DawnguardDG (map) |
Freezing Waters | Lake at Fort DawnguardDG (map) |
The Rift | Northern tip of the frozen lake near Fort Dawnguard, east of the passage from The Rift. | Map | |
 Deepwood Vale (map) |
Freezing Waters | Lake in Deepwood Vale (map) |
The Reach | Inside Deepwood Vale, on the southwestern shore of the central island, just south of the bridge leading to Deepwood Redoubt. You need to pass through either Deepwood Redoubt or Hag's End to reach the vale. |
Map | |
 Orphan's Tear (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Haafingar | Northeast of the Orphan's Tear wreck, on the western shore of the peninsula, close to the small boat. | Map | |
| Castle VolkiharDG (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Haafingar | On the pier right next to the boat where you arrive at Castle Volkihar. | Map | |
| Wreck of the Winter War (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Winterhold | Inside the Wreck of the Winter War, on the lower deck of the eastern broken half. | Map | |
| Wreck of the Winter War (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Winterhold | Northwest of the Wreck of the Winter War, directly east of Snow Veil Sanctum, next to a boat on the eastern shore of a long peninsula. | Map | |
| Wreck of The Pride of Tel Vos (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Winterhold | On the shore north of the Wreck of The Pride of Tel Vos, next to a smaller boat. | Map | |
 Windhelm (map) |
Freezing Waters | White River (map) | Eastmarch | On The North Wind, which is a ship docked at the northern pier in Windhelm port. | Map | |
| Windhelm (map) |
Freezing Waters | White River (map) | Eastmarch | On the southern pier in Windhelm port. | Map | |
 Anga's Mill (map) |
Freezing Waters | River Yorgrim (map) | The Pale | At Anga's Mill, directly south of Anga's Mill Common House. | Map | |
| Pilgrim's Trench (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Winterhold | Directly south of the wreck of the Pilgrim's Trench, next to a boat. | Map | |
 Nightgate Inn (map) |
Freezing Waters | Lake at Nightgate Inn (map) |
The Pale | East of Nightgate Inn at the small lake, north of the small pier. | Map | |
| Hela's Folly (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | Winterhold | On the shore directly south of Hela's Folly, next to the big campfire. | Map | |
 Dawnstar (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | The Pale | In Dawnstar, directly in front of The Mortar and Pestle and Beitild's House. | Map | |
| Dawnstar (map) |
Freezing Waters | Sea of Ghosts (map) | The Pale | West of Dawnstar, north of Windward Ruins. The quest Crustacean ExterminationCC will first lead you here. This is also the location of the final fishing main quest, Wave BreakerCC. |
Map | |
| Shadowgreen Cavern (map) |
Underground | Inside Shadowgreen Cavern (map) |
Haafingar | Entering Shadowgreen Cavern, follow the short path down until you come to a river. Follow the river to a small lake. The fishing spot is next to the hunter's body. | Map | |
 Great Lift at Alftand (map) |
Underground | Inside Blackreach (map) | Winterhold | Enter Blackreach through the Great Lift at Alftand. Follow the path northwest, past Sinderion's Field Laboratory, until you hit the small lake with several waterfalls. The fishing spot is right at the lake shore.
This is a fishing spot that allows catching dwarven junk. |
Map | |
| Broken Oar Grotto (map) |
Underground | Inside Broken Oar Grotto (map) |
Haafingar | After entering Broken Oar Grotto, climb up the wooden ramps. As soon as you reach rock, the path splits. Turn to the left, and take the steep ramp up leading north. Keep heading north, back down another ramp, until you reach the wooden scaffolding leading down to the water. On the lowest level, there is a boat on the scaffolding, leaning up against a ramp. The fishing spot is right next to it. | Map | |
| Lost Knife Hideout (map) |
Underground | Inside Lost Knife Hideout (map) |
Eastmarch | Enter Lost Knife Cave. Follow the small stream until it opens up to a huge cave. Cross over the natural bridge to the central island. Pass the wooden structure on the left, then turn right and walk down the natural rock ramp on the backside. The fishing spot is at the bottom. | Map | |
| Darkshade (map) |
Underground | Inside Darkshade (map) |
Falkreath Hold | Head into Darkshade. Keep to the left and follow the natural progression through the cave. You eventually reach a larger cave with a small pond that is fed from a waterfall. The fishing spot is on the northern edge of the lake. | Map | |
| Embershard Mine (map) |
Underground | Inside Embershard Mine (map) |
Falkreath Hold | Descend into Embershard Mine. Progress to the very end; in the last room, there is a small pond with a waterfall. The fishing spot is close to the foot of the waterfall. | Map | |
| Reachwater Rock (map) |
Underground | Inside Reachwater Rock (map) |
The Reach | After entering Reachwater Rock, follow the path down to the small stream, and then further until you reach a little lake. The fishing spot is right at the start of the lake. | Map | |
| Damphall MineDB (map) |
Underground | Inside Damphall MineDB (map) |
SolstheimDB | Inside Damphall Mine, descend until you come upon the first body of water. Swim across to the waterfall, and either go directly down into the second lake, or exit and walk around the side path and then walk down the wooden ramp. The fishing spot is on the wooden structure, at the second, lower body of water. | Map | |
| Chillwind Depths (map) |
Underground | Inside Chillwind Depths (map) |
Hjaalmarch | Just walk straight into Chillwind Depths, until you hit a wall. The fishing spot is in the little alcove. | Map | |
| Dead Drop FallsDG | Underground | Inside Dead Drop FallsDG | The Rift | Travel to Fort Dawnguard and enter the castle. Proceed to Dead Drop Falls at the southern end. Inside the cave, jump down the waterfall. Exit the lake you land in at the northern end. The fishing spot is left of the two large braziers. | Map | |
| Brood Cavern (map) |
Underground | Inside Brood Cavern (map) |
Hjaalmarch | Walk straight ahead into Brood Cavern against the flow of the stream. The fishing spot is on your left once the cave opens up a bit more, shortly before you reach the waterfall. | Map | |
| Geirmund's Hall (map) |
Lake | Lake Geir (map) | The Rift | On the eastern shore of the island where Geirmund's Hall is located. | Map | |
| Shriekwind Bastion (map) |
Lake | Lake Ilinalta (map) | Falkreath Hold | On the island close to the southern shore of Lake Ilinalta, northeast of Shriekwind Bastion. | Map | |
| Brittleshin Pass (map) |
Lake | Lake Ilinalta (map) | Falkreath Hold | On the pier into Lake Ilinalta directly south of Brittleshin Pass. | Map | |
| Half-Moon Mill (map) |
Lake | Lake Ilinalta (map) | Falkreath Hold | On the shore of Lake Ilinalta, northeast of Half-Moon Mill. | Map | |
| Ilinalta's Deep (map) |
Lake | Lake Ilinalta (map) | Falkreath Hold | On the northwestern tip of Lake Ilinalta, halfway between Ilinalta's Deep and Moss Mother Cavern. | Map | |
| Stony Creek Cave (map) |
Lake | Lake at Stony Creek Cave (map) |
Eastmarch | On the pier on the southern shore of the tiny lake next to Stony Creek Cave. | Map | |
| Riften Fishery (map) | Lake | Lake Honrich (map) | The Rift | On the middle pier into Lake Honrich west of the Riften Fishery. | Map | |
| Black-Briar Meadery (map) | Lake | Lake Honrich (map) | The Rift | On the northwest corner of the pier outside Black-Briar Meadery. | Map | |
| Honeyside (map) | Lake | Lake Honrich (map) | The Rift | On the pier west outside Honeyside next to the boat. You must own this property and have upgraded the porch before the Fishing Supplies will appear. | Map | |
| Heartwood Mill (map) |
Lake | Lake Honrich (map) | The Rift | On the shore east of Heartwood Mill. | Map | |
| Faldar's Tooth (map) |
Lake | Lake Honrich (map) | The Rift | On the pier east of Faldar's Tooth. | Map | |
 Markarth (map) |
Stream | Inside Markarth (map) |
The Reach | Enter Markarth. Immediately turn left, and follow the stream down the waterfall. The fishing spot is on the right at the foot of the waterfall, next to the entrance to The Warrens. The quest Private LessonsCC will lead you here. This is a fishing spot that allows catching dwarven junk. |
Map | |
 The Guardian Stones (map) |
Stream | White River (map) | Falkreath Hold | Travel to The Guardian Stones and walk past them down to the small hunter camp at the river. The fishing spot is next to the boat. | Map | |
| Movarth's Lair (map) |
Stream | Drajkmyr Marsh | Hjaalmarch | Travel to Movarth's Lair. Head northwest down to the closest body of water, then follow the shore directly west. The fishing spot is next to the three Swamp Fungal Pods. | Map | |
 Morthal (map) |
Stream | River Hjaal (map) | Hjaalmarch | Go to Falion's House in Morthal. When in front of the house, walk past it on the northern side, and head directly east. The fishing spot is on the northern shore of the River Hjaal. Alternatively, you can travel to MyrwatchCC, and head directly northwest from the entrance. The quest No ContestCC will lead you here. |
Map | |
| Reachcliff Cave (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | The Reach | Travel to Reachcliff Cave. Turn around and follow the path down the mountain until you hit the main road, across from the double bridge leading to Karthspire. Turn right, facing east, and walk down to the river. The fishing spot is on a rocky outcropping. The quest Spirits AwayCC will lead you here. |
Map | |
 Riften (map) |
Stream | Inside Riften (map) |
The Rift | Go down to the canal flowing through Riften. The fishing spot is next to the walkway leading to Marise Aravel's House. | Map | |
| Lost Valley Redoubt (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | The Reach | Travel to Bard's Leap Summit, and jump down into the pool below. The fishing spot is on the northeastern edge. | Map | |
| Morthal (map) |
Stream | River Hjaal (map) | Hjaalmarch | Travel to Morthal. Go to Falion's House, then turn north and walk to the end of the pier, where the fishing spot is located. | Map | |
| Swindler's Den (map) |
Stream | River Hjaal (map) | Whiterun Hold | Travel to Swindler's Den. Turn north, and walk until you reach a tiny stream flowing east. Follow it until you drop down into a small lake, south of an island. Cross the lake towards the east, where the fishing spot is located on the shore. | Map | |
| Solitude Sawmill (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | Haafingar | Go to the Solitude Sawmill. Turn south and walk towards the river, then turn east and walk along the shore, towards the moored Red Wave. The fishing spot is about halfway along the path, next to a campfire. You can continue down the same path to find a second fishing spot at the end of a short pier. | Map | |
| Solitude Sawmill (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | Haafingar | Go to the Solitude Sawmill. Turn south and walk towards the river, then turn east and walk along the shore, towards the moored Red Wave. The fishing spot is at the end of the path, on the pier. You will pass another fishing spot, next to a campfire, on your way. | Map | |
| East Empire Company Warehouse (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | Haafingar | Travel to the East Empire Company Warehouse south of Solitude. Walk out on the pier to the south, towards the Red Wave (the large moored ship). The fishing spot is at the end of the pier close to the ramp leading up to the Red Wave. | Map | |
 Crabber's Shanty (map) |
Stream | River Hjaal (map) | Hjaalmarch | Travel to the Crabber's Shanty. The fishing spot is directly east of the hut. | Map | |
| Chillwind Depths (map) |
Stream | River Hjaal (map) | Hjaalmarch | Travel to Chillwind Depths. Turn around and walk away towards the east, following the path until you reach the small hunter camp. The fishing spot is south of the boat on the shore. | Map | |
| Dragon Bridge (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | Haafingar | The fishing spot is west of the Dragon Bridge Lumber Camp sawmill, next to the small waterfall. | Map | |
 Salvius Farm (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | The Reach | Travel to Salvius Farm. Turn east and walk down to the bridge, then turn north towards Solitude and Karthwasten and follow the road. At the first tree on your right, walk down to the river, where you will find the fishing spot. | Map | |
 Deep Folk Crossing (map) |
Stream | Karth River (map) | The Reach | Travel to Deep Folk Crossing. Don't walk up to the ruins on your left, instead directly follow the river to your right. The fishing spot is immediately at the foot of the large cascade.
This is a fishing spot that allows catching dwarven junk. |
Map | |
| Mixwater Mill (map) |
Stream | White River (map) | Eastmarch | At Mixwater Mill, head to the eastern riverbank. Find the fishing spot south of the Worker's House, and north of the sawmill, next to the wood chopping block. | Map | |
| Darkwater Crossing (map) |
Stream | Darkwater River (map) | Eastmarch | Travel to Darkwater Crossing and head towards the mine entrance to your east. You will see a large campfire and four tents to your right. Turn south and walk past the tents; the fishing spot is down by the river. | Map | |
| Ivarstead (map) |
Stream | Darkwater River (map) | The Rift | Travel to Ivarstead. Go to the southwestern edge of the settlement, behind Vilemyr Inn, and walk down to the fishing spot at the river shore. | Map | |
| Chillfurrow Farm (map) |
Stream | White River (map) | Whiterun Hold | After arriving at Chillfurrow Farm, walk directly east, cross the street going north from Whiterun, down to the White River. The fishing spot is exactly east of the Chillfurrow Farm main building. | Map | |
| Riverwood (map) |
Stream | White River (map) | Whiterun Hold | Exit Riverwood through the northeast gate, towards Whiterun. The fishing spot is to your left before the bridge. | Map | |
| Riverside Shack (map) |
Stream | Darkwater River (map) | Eastmarch | The fishing spot is immediately next to the Riverside Shack, to the southwest. | Map | |
| Kynesgrove (map) |
Stream | Darkwater River (map) | Eastmarch | Exit Kynesgrove to the northwest. Hop over the low wall next to the crossing and continue downhill to the sawmill. The fishing spot is southwest of the sawmill, at the foot of the cascade. | Map |
NotesEdit
- A 70th fishing spot exists in the Marker Storage Unit which is named for Dead Man's Dread but does not appear in that location.
- In the data, Freezing Waters fishing types are also referred to as Arctic, and Underground as Caves types.
- When you catch rare fish or items, a sound effect plays. This sound effect is the same one you hear when starting a new game from the main menu.
BugsEdit
- Sometimes, when reeling in your rod, the animation never completes, freezing the player in place.
- This can sometimes be resolved by using the wait function.
- You can also try saving the game and loading again.
- When you start the sequence, no animation happens and you won't know when to pull the rod back. ?
Sometimes, despite having vibration toggled on in settings, vibration will not occur. ?
See AlsoEdit
- Fish Hatchery — A player-built hatchery at Windstad Manor that can be used to farm fish and other aquatic creatures.