Fishing is one of the most relaxing activities in 99 Nights in the Forest and one of the most rewarding for badges and rare items. The rarest fishing catch ā the Trident ā is a weapon that deals 37.5ā62 damage. This guide covers every fishing rod, where to fish, and how to earn every fishing badge.
Getting Started: The Fishing Cabin
The Fishing Cabin is a structure found on the map that gives you 5Ć Old Rods for free when you interact with it. If you want to fish, head to the Fishing Cabin first to stock up. The Cabin also contains a Fish Index Board ā filling every slot on this board earns the Trophy Fishing badge (2 stars, 6 Diamonds).
The Fisherman class (50 Diamonds) is the best class for fishing:
- Level 1: Rods level up faster
- Level 2: Instant casts and longer casting distance
- Level 3: Fish hook faster (less waiting)
All Fishing Rod Tiers
Old Rod (Tier 1)
The starting rod. Found in Common and Good Chests, given in bulk by the Fishing Cabin. Catches standard fish at standard speed. Use this until you find a Good Rod.
Best for: Early game, starting out, casual fishing.
Good Rod (Tier 2)
A notable improvement over the Old Rod. Faster hook times and access to rarer fish varieties. Obtained by raising an Old Rod to max XP and upgrading it at the Upgrade Station.
Best for: Mid-game fishing, starting to farm specific fish for taming ingredients.
Strong Rod (Tier 3)
The highest standard rod tier. The final rod tier, reached by upgrading a maxed Good Rod. The wiki also names it as the best rod for Cultist Gem fishing. Upgrading your rod to max level earns the Baiting badge (0.5 stars, 4 Diamonds).
Best for: Badge farming, catching Tridents, shark hunting.
Fishing Locations
Different fishing spots yield different fish. The wiki documents several key locations:
Standard Lakes and Rivers
The most common fishing spots near camp. Yields basic fish: common species used for hunger and taming. These spots work with any rod tier.
Bone Lake
The rarest and most rewarding fishing location. Bone Lake (also called Skeleton Lake) is the most likely place to find the Trident, the rarest fishing item in the game. The Trident functions as a weapon (37.5ā62 damage) rather than food. Bone Lake also has a higher chance of rare fish species needed for the Trophy Fishing badge.
If you are fishing specifically for the Trident, use a Strong Rod at Bone Lake and bring the Fisherman class (Level 3 for faster hooking reduces the time investment significantly).
Snow Biome Waters
The Snow Biome has dedicated fishing spots for cold-water fish species. These are needed for the Fish Index Board if you are working toward Trophy Fishing. Bring warm clothing (Knitting badge: craft 10 warm clothing items, 1 star, 5 Diamonds) to reduce the cold penalty.
Fish Used for Taming
Several fish are taming ingredients. The wiki lists these costs:
Alpha Wolf taming recipe: Steak Ć4 + Mackerel Ć4 + Salmon Ć4
Mackerel and Salmon are mid-rarity fish caught in standard lakes. Stock up if you are playing Beastmaster class or working toward the Husbandry badge.
Fishing Badges
| Badge | Requirement | Stars | Diamonds | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baiting | Upgrade fishing rod to max level | 0.5ā | 4D | Level your Old Rod ā Good Rod ā Strong Rod at the Upgrade Station (rods are on the right side of the entrance) |
| Fishing | Catch 100 fish | 1ā | 5D | Fish at any spot; bring Fisherman class for faster hooks |
| Trophy Fishing | Catch every fish type (fill Fish Index Board) | 2ā | 6D | Fish at multiple biome locations; Bone Lake for rares |
| Deep Sea Fishing | Catch 30 sharks | 5ā | 10D | Bring the Fisherman class at Level 3 for faster hooks |
Deep Sea Fishing awards 10 Diamonds ā tied with Hard Mode for the highest Diamond value of any single badge. However, it requires catching 30 sharks, which is a significant time investment. This badge is best pursued over multiple sessions rather than in one run.
The Trident
The Trident is the most notable fishing item in the game. Instead of being food, it functions as a melee weapon:
- Damage: 37.5ā62
- Source: Fishing (Bone Lake primarily)
- Rarity: Very rare catch
The Trident can also come from gold presents in the 2025 Christmas event. It is the only fishing-based weapon obtainable through fishing rather than chests or combat, which makes it unique for builds that focus on the Fishing Cabin route.
Fishing Class Builds
Solo fishing build:
- Fisherman (50D) for faster rod leveling, instant casts, faster hooks
- Explorer (80D) for +2 sack space to carry more fish without trips back to camp
- Strong Rod equipped
- Fish Index Board filled = Trophy Fishing badge (2ā
, 6D)
Badge-farming build:
- Fisherman (50D) Level 3
- Strong Rod at Bone Lake
- Goal: 30 sharks for Deep Sea Fishing (5ā
, 10D)
Quick Fishing Tips
- Always pick up your 5 free Old Rods from the Fishing Cabin at the start of a run.
- Upgrade your rod at the Upgrade Station ā do not throw away Old Rods before checking if they can level up.
- Fish during the day, not at night when The Deer is active.
- If you are near water and have spare inventory slots, cast a line while doing other tasks nearby. Fish can sit on the hook for a while.
- The Fish Index Board only fills once per unique fish species ā you do not need to catch multiples of the same fish for Trophy Fishing.
Fish List From the Wiki
The wiki records these catches. All fish are food items, and the common ones are listed under Ponds.
| Catch | Notes |
|---|---|
| Char | Ponds; also fished in the Ice Fishing Hut's Cold Pond |
| Eel | Ponds; also in the Cold Pond |
| Mackerel | Ponds; taming ingredient |
| Salmon | Ponds; taming ingredient |
| Clownfish | Ponds |
| Lionfish | Ponds |
| Jellyfish | Ponds |
| Swordfish | Ponds; Polar Bear taming ingredient |
| Lava Eel | Ponds |
| Shark | Added in The Fishing Update; target of the Deep Sea Fishing badge |
| Old Boot | Junk catch |
| Jar o' Jelly | Food item |
| Seafood Chowder | Food item |
The Ice Fishing Hut in the Snow Biome holds a Cold Pond for Char and Eel and needs campfire Level 3-4 to access.
Rod Tiers at a Glance
| Rod | Tier | How to get it | Upgrade path |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Rod | 1 | Fishing Cabin (5 free), Common and Good Chests, or the Tool Trader for 20 Mossy Coins | Max XP, then upgrade at the Upgrade Station |
| Good Rod | 2 | Upgrade a maxed Old Rod | Max XP, then upgrade again |
| Strong Rod | 3 | Upgrade a maxed Good Rod | Final tier |
The Fisherman class (50 Diamonds) shortens this: rods level faster at Level 1, casts are instant and longer at Level 2, and fish hook faster at Level 3.
Taming Fish and Other Fishing Rewards
| Use | Ingredient cost |
|---|---|
| Tame an Alpha Wolf (Good Taming Flute or better) | Steak x4, Mackerel x4, Salmon x4 |
| Tame a Frog (Old Taming Flute, green frogs only) | Mackerel x2 |
| Tame a Polar Bear | Rib x5, Stew x5, Swordfish x5 |
| Cultist Gems | Fishing the Algal Pond or Bone Pond with any rod (random drop); best with a Strong Rod at the Algal Pond |
| Frog Boots | 3% drop when fishing inside the Frog Cave |
Cultist Gems are the fishing reward worth planning around. The Teleporter, Oil Drill, Ammo Crate and Giant Bed recipes each need one.
Common Mistakes
- Throwing away Old Rods. They level into Good and Strong Rods.
- Fishing at night. The Deer is active, so keep it for daytime.
- Expecting a Trident quickly. The wiki calls the chance extremely low.
- Skipping the Upgrade Station. Rods upgrade there, not at the Cabin.
FAQ
Where do I get my first fishing rod?
Open the Fishing Cabin for 5 free Old Rods, or buy one from the Tool Trader for 20 Mossy Coins.
How many rod tiers are there?
Three: Old, Good and Strong.
What is the rarest fish to catch?
The Trident, a weapon rather than a fish, according to the wiki.
Can I fish for Cultist Gems?
Yes, at the Algal Pond or Bone Pond, as a random drop with any rod.
Does the Fisherman class help?
Yes, for rod XP, instant casts and faster hooks.
