Fishing in 99 Nights in the Forest is more than a quiet pastime—it’s a survival tool, a collection challenge, and even a doorway to rare rewards. With the recent fishing update, players can now cast their lines into ponds scattered across the forest, pulling up everything from humble mackerel to elusive sharks, or even the occasional piece of forgotten junk. Whether you’re a newcomer eyeing your first Old Rod or a seasoned survivor determined to fill the Fishing Index, this guide will walk you through every detail you need to know.

How to Start Fishing in 99 Nights in the Forest?

Before you can reel in anything, you’ll need a rod. There are three ways to get started:

Fishing Shack – Marked by a fishing pole icon on the map, this hut is your gateway to fishing. Inside, you’ll find Old Rods waiting to be picked up.
Pelt Trader – Occasionally, the trader will have an Old Rod in stock, giving you another way to grab one.
Fisherman Class – If you prefer a head start, the Fisherman class begins with a rod already in hand. This class costs 50 Diamonds, but it saves time and effort.

The Old Rod is your entry point, but don’t expect it to carry you forever.

Upgrading Fishing Rods

Fishing in 99 Nights isn’t static—the more you catch, the better your tools become. Each successful catch grants XP toward your rod. Once the XP bar fills, the game lets you upgrade at the Fishing Shack’s crafting table:

Old Rod – The starting rod.
Good Rod – Earned after your first upgrade.
Strong Rod – The highest tier, making it much easier to catch rare fish like Sharks.

It’s a natural progression: the rarer the fish or item you reel in, the more XP you gain. And with a Strong Rod, the most challenging catches become far more manageable.

How Fishing Works in 99 Nights in the Forest?

Fishing itself is simple, but it has layers of strategy:

Find a Pond – Look for Fresh, Algal, Bone, or Cold Ponds. Many are tied to your campfire level, so explore as your camp upgrades.
Cast Your Line – Walk up to a pond swirl and use your rod.
Play the Mini-Game – A fish bite triggers a short mini-game. Keep the timing right, and you’ll haul in your catch.
Collect Rewards & XP – Fish, crafting materials, or sometimes junk end up in your inventory, and your rod levels up with each success.

An overhead view of a player in the Roblox game "99 Nights in the Forest" fishing in a small pond. The player character is sitting on top of a large, grey shark they have just caught. Two other fish, a small brown one and a purple one, are visible nearby. The scene is foggy, and the user interface elements like the compass and a health bar are visible, providing a clear in-game context. — Image Credit: Grandma’s Favourite Games

It’s worth noting that not every swirl yields food—sometimes you’ll drag out scrap metal or even a broken microwave. But in a survival game, even “junk” can be valuable.

All Ponds & Their Fish

Each pond type offers its own ecosystem. Knowing where to fish saves hours of trial and error:

Fresh Pond (Campfire Lvl 1–4) – Mackerel, Salmon, Clownfish
Algal Pond (Campfire Lvl 4–5) – Salmon, Clownfish, Swordfish
Bone Pond (Campfire Lvl 6) – Swordfish, Jellyfish, Shark, Old Boot
Cold Pond (Snow Biome, Cold Hut) – Char, Eel

The Fishing Index in the Fishing Shack logs your discoveries permanently. Catching each unique fish once is enough to complete its entry.

Complete Fish Index

Here’s every fish you can currently reel in:

Mackerel – Common, found in Fresh Pond.
Salmon – Fresh and Algal Ponds.
Clownfish – Rare, found in Fresh and Algal Ponds, sometimes Bone Pond.
Swordfish – Strong fighter, available in Algal and Bone Ponds.
Jellyfish – Provides a temporary speed boost when eaten raw; found in Algal and Bone Ponds.
Char – Cold Pond exclusive.
Eel – Cold Pond exclusive.
Shark – The toughest catch, but offers the best hunger restoration; found in Algal and Bone Ponds.
Old Boot – The only “useless” catch, found in Bone Pond (though you can dry it by the campfire for laughs).

A graphic displaying all the different types of fish and items a player can catch in the game "99 Nights in the Forest." The collection includes a grey Mackerel, an orange Salmon, a purple Swordfish, a Clownfish, a pink Jellyfish, a blocky blue fish, a long brown Eel, a large grey Shark, and a brown Old Boot. The items are arranged against a dark wood background, resembling a game’s collection menu or index. — Image Credit: Grandma’s Favourite Games

Other Items You Can Reel In

Fishing isn’t only about food. Some of the most unexpected finds can turn out to be lifesavers or rare treasures. Depending on pond type and campfire level, you can also catch:

Survival Items: Bandages, Medkits, Bolts, Ammo
Crafting Components: Sheet Metal, Broken Fan, Radios, Tires, Broken Microwaves, Old Car Engines
Rare Finds: Cultist Gem, Gem of the Forest Fragment, and even the Trident—a powerful weapon rivaling the Katana

These bonus pulls give fishing surprising depth. Sometimes, the loot you drag out is more valuable than a meal.

Fishing Event & Badges

Between August 15 and August 22, 2025, fishing isn’t just about survival. Players can unlock four exclusive event badges by completing fishing-related objectives. Badges range from rod upgrades to filling the Fishing Index or landing rare catches like Sharks. For badge hunters, this event makes fishing essential.

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