The latest update is live in Fallout 76, with Season 21: Gone Fission revolving around a new fishing mechanic and fish-related quests. Here we'll guide you through everything you need to know to complete the latest fishing story mission for Fallout 76, including how to fish, upgrade fishing rods, and catch legendary fish and Axolotl.
In order to start fishing in Fallout 76, you'll first need to start the new "Casting Off" fishing questline found in Season 21: Gone Fission. This quest will give you your first fishing rod and get you started with the mechanics.
Head to the Mire region of the Appalachia map. Then, open your Pip-Boy and tune the radio to listen to the "Linda-Lee Shortwave Signal" that's broadcasting in the area. This leads you to a new area on the map called the Fisherman's Rest. Here, you'll meet new characters, including The Fisherman, Captain Raymon Clark, and Linda-Lee. Reaching this destination should give you the Casting Off side quest, but if not, try talking to the Fisherman character to initiate it.
Once you've talked to both characters at the Fisherman's Rest, you'll be given your first fishing rod and the fishing mechanic will be enabled. The quest then asks you to catch three fish.
You can buy some common bait from the Fisherman, so there will be enough bait to get you started. The common bait here will cost you 4 caps per piece.
This part of the side quest also teaches you the basics of fishing, which is a very simple mechanic. You don't even need to equip a fishing rod from your inventory. You just need to walk to any section of deep water. This is just like the action to collect water from various sources, but now you'll also have the option to fish.
Then, select the option to cast your line. Wait until a fish pulls the bobber completely under before selecting the option to reel. A radar-like icon will appear, and you'll need to move your left thumbstick around to keep the fish highlighted on the radar.
It costs bait each time you fish, so make sure you're paying attention and reel in when the bobber goes under. Otherwise, you'll lose your bait to the fish.
Night fishing at Fisherman's Rest
You can't fish without bait. There are three types of bait in the game, and some of them increase your chances of catching rare fish.
Common bait gives you the chance to catch generic fish, scrapable junk, and common regional fish. This bait is purchasable from The Fisherman and Captain Raymond Clark in Fisherman's Rest. You also have a chance to receive common bait after completing the daily fishing quest.
Improved bait gives you an increased chance of catching uncommon fish. While it's not purchasable from any vendor, you can trade improved bait with other players. You can also get more from the daily fishing quest, public events, and finding it in lootable containers around the world.
It's also worth checking the in-game shop daily for free rewards. I had a daily shop reward for free improved bait. I'm not sure how common this will be, though.
Superb bait is only earnable as rewards in Season 21, and this bait gives you the best chance to catch very rare fish.
In the beginning, you'll only want to use your common bait. Save any improved and superb-quality bait you earn for when you have upgraded your fishing rod and you're looking to tackle bigger fishing challenges.
Weather can influence your odds of catching specific types of fish. This includes naturally occurring weather as well as modified weather from a Weather Control Station.
The "janky" fishing rod you earn from the Casting Off side quest won't be strong enough to catch Appalachia's biggest and rarest fish. Make sure you're fishing a lot to complete the season's fishing challenges and daily fishing quests. These will reward you with upgrade items, such as plans for better rods, reels, and bobbers.
The fishing rod doesn't show up in your inventory, but it will show up in either a Weapons Workbench or Tinker's Workbench menu so you can modify it with the upgrades you earn.
Once you've made good upgrades to your fishing rod, you can always take on the challenge of catching Fallout 76's legendary fish.
These are found at the following locations:
The chances for catching these fish depend on the bait you use and weather conditions. You don't have to use superb bait, but your chances will be much greater than with the improved bait. Clear or rainy weather conditions are best for fishing here.
Legendary fish will reward items like a huge stack of caps, some legendary modules, or treasury notes.
Certain fishing challenges will require to catch one or more Axolotl. There is also a greater challenge for catching all 12 types of Axolotl.
You'll need true fisherman's patience if you want to catch'em all. Each month will spawn a different Axolotl into the world. For June, you can catch the Banded Axolotl in the Toxic Valley or Mire region of the map.
You'll need to fish each month for a whole year to get the remaining 11 Axolotl types. Completing this year-long challenge will reward you with the unique player title to show off your dedication to fishing.
Fishing for Axolotl is recommended during rainy weather while using superb bait.
Fish can be eaten for health/satisfy hunger, or you can feed fish bits to Linda-Lee at Fisherman's Rest in hopes of earning a random legendary item.
Fish can be converted into fish bits at a cooking station. The bits can be eaten on their own, but they provide very little health. These are best used in one of the food recipes listed below, or they can be fed to Linda-Lee in Fisherman's Rest for a chance at receiving a random legendary item.
Linda-Lee drops legendary items when she's got a full stomach. When feeding Linda-Lee, you're more likely to score a legendary item if you're feeding her fish bits when she's "almost full." If it says she is starving, you'll probably need about two dozen fish bits to make her full and spit out a legendary item.
For more on Fallout 76, make sure to check out the full patch notes for Season 21: Gone Fission.
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How to unlock fishing in Fallout 76
In order to start fishing in Fallout 76, you'll first need to start the new "Casting Off" fishing questline found in Season 21: Gone Fission. This quest will give you your first fishing rod and get you started with the mechanics.
How to start Casting Off quest
The Mire region is the swampy area located on the right side of the map.Head to the Mire region of the Appalachia map. Then, open your Pip-Boy and tune the radio to listen to the "Linda-Lee Shortwave Signal" that's broadcasting in the area. This leads you to a new area on the map called the Fisherman's Rest. Here, you'll meet new characters, including The Fisherman, Captain Raymon Clark, and Linda-Lee. Reaching this destination should give you the Casting Off side quest, but if not, try talking to the Fisherman character to initiate it.
How to catch fish
Once you've talked to both characters at the Fisherman's Rest, you'll be given your first fishing rod and the fishing mechanic will be enabled. The quest then asks you to catch three fish.
You can buy some common bait from the Fisherman, so there will be enough bait to get you started. The common bait here will cost you 4 caps per piece.
This part of the side quest also teaches you the basics of fishing, which is a very simple mechanic. You don't even need to equip a fishing rod from your inventory. You just need to walk to any section of deep water. This is just like the action to collect water from various sources, but now you'll also have the option to fish.
Then, select the option to cast your line. Wait until a fish pulls the bobber completely under before selecting the option to reel. A radar-like icon will appear, and you'll need to move your left thumbstick around to keep the fish highlighted on the radar.
It costs bait each time you fish, so make sure you're paying attention and reel in when the bobber goes under. Otherwise, you'll lose your bait to the fish.
Night fishing at Fisherman's Rest
All bait types
You can't fish without bait. There are three types of bait in the game, and some of them increase your chances of catching rare fish.
Common bait
Common bait gives you the chance to catch generic fish, scrapable junk, and common regional fish. This bait is purchasable from The Fisherman and Captain Raymond Clark in Fisherman's Rest. You also have a chance to receive common bait after completing the daily fishing quest.
Improved bait
Improved bait gives you an increased chance of catching uncommon fish. While it's not purchasable from any vendor, you can trade improved bait with other players. You can also get more from the daily fishing quest, public events, and finding it in lootable containers around the world.
It's also worth checking the in-game shop daily for free rewards. I had a daily shop reward for free improved bait. I'm not sure how common this will be, though.
Superb bait
Superb bait is only earnable as rewards in Season 21, and this bait gives you the best chance to catch very rare fish.
In the beginning, you'll only want to use your common bait. Save any improved and superb-quality bait you earn for when you have upgraded your fishing rod and you're looking to tackle bigger fishing challenges.
How weather elements affect fishing
Weather can influence your odds of catching specific types of fish. This includes naturally occurring weather as well as modified weather from a Weather Control Station.
- Clear Weather: Best suited for catching common fish that can be found in any region
- Rainy Weather: Rainy weather has an increased chance of catching region-specific fish, as well as the elusive Axolotls
- Radstorm/Nuke Weather: Radstorms and weather caused by nukes increase the chance of catching Glowing Fish
How to upgrade your fishing rod
Upgrading the fishing rod at a Tinker's WorkbenchThe "janky" fishing rod you earn from the Casting Off side quest won't be strong enough to catch Appalachia's biggest and rarest fish. Make sure you're fishing a lot to complete the season's fishing challenges and daily fishing quests. These will reward you with upgrade items, such as plans for better rods, reels, and bobbers.
The fishing rod doesn't show up in your inventory, but it will show up in either a Weapons Workbench or Tinker's Workbench menu so you can modify it with the upgrades you earn.
How to catch Legendary fish
Once you've made good upgrades to your fishing rod, you can always take on the challenge of catching Fallout 76's legendary fish.
These are found at the following locations:
- Local Legend "Wavy Willard" - Can be caught at Wavy Willard's Water Park
- Local Legend "Organ Grinder" - Can be caught at Organ Cave
- Local Legend "Ryl-Tkannoth, Maw-Begotten" - Can be caught at Big Maw
The chances for catching these fish depend on the bait you use and weather conditions. You don't have to use superb bait, but your chances will be much greater than with the improved bait. Clear or rainy weather conditions are best for fishing here.
Legendary fish will reward items like a huge stack of caps, some legendary modules, or treasury notes.
How to catch all Axolotl fish types
Certain fishing challenges will require to catch one or more Axolotl. There is also a greater challenge for catching all 12 types of Axolotl.
You'll need true fisherman's patience if you want to catch'em all. Each month will spawn a different Axolotl into the world. For June, you can catch the Banded Axolotl in the Toxic Valley or Mire region of the map.
You'll need to fish each month for a whole year to get the remaining 11 Axolotl types. Completing this year-long challenge will reward you with the unique player title to show off your dedication to fishing.
Fishing for Axolotl is recommended during rainy weather while using superb bait.
What to do with fish after catching
Feeding fish bits to Linda-LeeFish can be eaten for health/satisfy hunger, or you can feed fish bits to Linda-Lee at Fisherman's Rest in hopes of earning a random legendary item.
Fish bits
Fish can be converted into fish bits at a cooking station. The bits can be eaten on their own, but they provide very little health. These are best used in one of the food recipes listed below, or they can be fed to Linda-Lee in Fisherman's Rest for a chance at receiving a random legendary item.
Linda-Lee drops legendary items when she's got a full stomach. When feeding Linda-Lee, you're more likely to score a legendary item if you're feeding her fish bits when she's "almost full." If it says she is starving, you'll probably need about two dozen fish bits to make her full and spit out a legendary item.
Cooking recipes using fish bits
- Grilled fish
- Fish and Tatos
- Fish Chowder
For more on Fallout 76, make sure to check out the full patch notes for Season 21: Gone Fission.
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