Fishing in 99 Nights in the Forest: Rods, Ponds and Every Catch
TL;DR, bestie
- Fishing arrived in 99 Nights in the Forest with the Fishing Update on 15 August 2025.
- You need a rod. The Old Rod comes from chests, the Tool Trader or a Fishing Cabin, and the Fisherman class starts with one.
- Click a pond to cast, then click when the red line is over the green zone in the minigame. White ripples mark a fast spot that bites almost instantly, for about six catches.
- Rods earn XP. Upgrade Old → Good → Strong at the Skills Building to catch rarer fish more easily. Different ponds, unlocked by campfire level and biome, hold different fish.
On this page
🗓️ Last updated: 7 November 2026
Fishing is the calmest thing you can do in 99 Nights, right up until a wolf shows up behind you mid-cast. It’s a solid food source, a surprisingly good loot source and, honestly, a nice break from chopping trees. This page covers how it works, which ponds have which fish and how to level your rod.
Fishing at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Added | Fishing Update, 15 August 2025 |
| Needs | A fishing rod (Old Rod to start) |
| Rod sources | Chests, Tool Trader, Fishing Cabins. The Fisherman class starts with one |
| Bite time | Almost instant on ripples, otherwise up to about 15 seconds |
| Minigame | Click when the red line is over the green zone |
| Rod upgrades | Old → Good → Strong, at the Skills Building |
| Cooking | Drag fish onto the Campfire |
How it works
Getting a rod
The Old Rod shows up in chests, can be traded for at the Tool Trader and can be found in Fishing Cabins, which are common around the forest. If you play Fisherman, you start with one, which is a big head start.
Casting and the minigame
Equip the rod, click on any pond and wait for a bite. Look for white, see-through ripples on the water.
That’s a fast spot, and casting into it gets you a bite almost right away. A spot lasts for about six catches before the ripples fade. Anywhere else, you might wait up to around 15 seconds.
When something bites, the minigame starts. Click (or press the left trigger on controller) when the red line is over the green area. Rarer catches are harder, with less room for error.
Rod XP and upgrades
Every successful catch gives your rod XP, and harder catches give more. When the bar fills, take your rod to the Skills Building and use the rod crafting table inside. It goes from Old Rod to Good Rod to Strong Rod, and each step makes the better fish easier to land.
Ponds and what’s in them
| Pond | Where / when | Notable catches |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Pond | Campfire level 1 and up | Mackerel, Salmon, Clownfish, Swordfish, Frog Key |
| Algal Pond | Campfire levels 4–5 | Salmon, Clownfish, Swordfish, Jellyfish, Shark |
| Bone Pond | Campfire level 6 | Swordfish, Jellyfish, Shark, Old Boot, Medkits, Trident, Gem of the Forest Fragments |
| Cold Pond | Snow Biome | Char, Eel |
| Lava Pool | Volcanic area, campfire levels 2–3 | Lionfish, Lava Eel |
Ponds can also give non-fish loot, like scrap, ammo, bandages and even Cultist Gems, which is why fishing is better for loot than it looks.
Eating your catch
Most fish restore a little hunger raw and more when cooked, so always cook them on the Campfire. The Shark is the big meal of the bunch.
The Jellyfish is the odd one out, since eating it gives a speed boost instead of food. All fish can also go in the Crock Pot.
Step by step: your first fishing trip
- Get an Old Rod from a chest, the Tool Trader or a Fishing Cabin.
- Walk to a Fresh Pond near camp.
- Look for white ripples and cast into them.
- Click when the red line hits the green zone.
- Fish until the ripples fade (about six catches), then look for another spot.
- Bring the fish back and cook them on the campfire.
- When your rod’s XP bar fills, upgrade it at the Skills Building.
Tips
- Ripples first, always. They’re far faster than waiting out a normal cast.
- Level the campfire to open the Algal and Bone Ponds. They have the best fish and the best loot.
- Keep a Jellyfish raw for an emergency speed boost.
- Fishing pairs well with the Fisherman class. Check my class tier list for how it compares.
Common mistakes
- Fishing alone at night with your back to the trees.
- Eating fish raw when the campfire is right there.
- Forgetting to upgrade your rod after the XP bar fills.
- Skipping the Bone Pond. Medkits and Gem Fragments are a big deal.
Fishing is my go-to when the team is fine and I need something useful but chill to do. A few Fresh Pond runs and suddenly camp has dinner for everyone.
Once you reach the Bone Pond, it turns into a loot run with a rod. The Trident drop still makes me yell every time.
FAQ
How do I get a fishing rod in 99 Nights?
Find an Old Rod in a chest, trade the Tool Trader for one or grab one from a Fishing Cabin. The Fisherman class starts with one.
What do the white ripples mean?
They mark a fast fishing spot. Bites come almost instantly for about six catches.
How do I upgrade my rod?
Fill its XP bar by catching things, then use the rod crafting table in the Skills Building.
Related on kikomii
- Food guide for where fish fit in your food plan.
- Diamonds guide for more ways to get rewards.
- Related pages: Fisherman, Campfire, Hunger and Snow biome.
Image credits: YouTube thumbnail: Gdog’s Atelier.
kikomii is a fan site and isn’t affiliated with Roblox or Grandma’s Favourite Games.
