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Fishing

Fishing is a completely new mechanic in Skyrim Anniversary Edition update that adds a Fishing mini-game, dozens of new quests, and even places to display your prized catches in player homes. It’s easy to start Fishing, and there’s a surprisingly high number of new fish and unique items that can only be acquired through this new minigame.

How to Fish

Firstly - Acquire a fishing rod, these are for sale from general merchants, and free at some fishing spots in the world. The one located at the guardian stones near Riverwood is especially convenient for starter players.

Equip the rod (it’s classed as a weapon)

Then - if at a fishing spot, use the supplies. If not. “attack” a body of water to cast.

  • When first casting out, the intensity of ripples on the water’s surface indicates about how many fish are available at this spot. If there are no ripples, wait one day for fish to respawn.
  • The Fishing line will tug gently a few times before it really starts tugging. Don’t fall for the false start – be patient and only press the Action button when you’re certain a fish has bitten.
  • Some items improve the ability of the player to catch fish and rare items, including improved Fishing Rods and the Lucky Fishing Hat
  • Some fish only appear at specific spots throughout Skyrim. Some fish only appear in Rainy weather, which can be triggered by wearing the Lucky Fishing Hat or the Ring of Kynareth

After successfully catching a fish for the first time, players are automatically given the quest Angler Acquaintances, which guides them to a fishery in Riften. As players continue through the many Fishing-centric quest lines given by Swims-In-Deep-Water they gain new gear, improve their fishing skills, and are given everything they need to truly master the rivers and lakes of Skyrim.

The act of fishing has many variables that go into determining what the player catches. The most important of these are the biome the player is fishing in, the time of day, the population of fish, the rod the player is using, and any quests that the player may have active.

Rarity

Fish can be common, uncommon, or rare, and are also either large or small. 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 area can contain Dwemer items.

Time

The time of day is also important for catching fish. During the hours of 6am to 9am and 6pm to 9pm, fishing area’s 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.

Population

A fishing area’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 Rods

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.

Biomes

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.

Freezing Waters
Common Uncommon Rare
Small Abecean Longfin
Angler Larvae
Juvenile Mudcrab Junk
Large Arctic Grayling Arctic Char
Cod
Angler
Underground
Common Uncommon Rare
Small Silverside Perch Histcarp Junk
Large Direfish
Glass Catfish
Tripod Spiderfish
Vampire Fish
Scorpion Fish
Temperate Lakes, Clear Weather
Common Uncommon Rare
Small Abecean Longfin
Glassfish
Silverside Perch
Cyrodilic Spadetail
Goldfish
Juvenile Mudcrab
Silverside Perch
Angelfish
Large Salmon
Slaughterfish
Brook Bass
Carp
Junk
Temperate Lakes, Raining
Common Uncommon Rare
Small Cyrodilic Spadetail Abecean Longfin
Glassfish
Pearlfish
Pygmy Sunfish
Angelfish
Large Catfish Salmon
Slaughterfish
Junk
Temperate Streams, Clear Weather
Common Uncommon Rare
Small River Betty Histcarp
Juvenile Mudcrab
Spadefish
Lyretail Anthias
Large Brook Bass
Pogfish
Salmon
Carp Junk
Temperate Streams, Raining
Common Uncommon Rare
Small River Betty
Spadefish
Histcarp
Juvenile Mudcrab
Pearlfish
Lyretail Anthias
Large Pogfish
Salmon
Brook Bass
Slaughterfish
Junk

[†]These fish require an Argonian Fishing Rod to be caught.

[‡]These fish require an Alik’ri Fishing Rod to be caught.

Fishing Items

Apparel

Name (ID) Weight Value Slot
Crabber’s Charm (xx1D8FF2) 1 8 Amulet
Hide Fishing Boots (xx0008E1) 1 2 Boots
Hide Fishing Waders (xx0008E2) 1 2 Chest
Hide Fishing Hat (xx0008E4) 0.5 1 Hat
Linen Vagrant Boots (xx000E4C) 2 1 Boots
Linen Vagrant Hood (xx000E4B) 1 1 Hat
Linen Vagrant Robes (xx000E4A) 1 5 Chest

Unique Apparel

Name (ID) Weight Value Enchantment / Notes
Denstagmer’s Ring (xx000B2B) 0.25 12000 Resistance against fire, frost, and shock is improved by 20%.
Lynea’s Amulet of Dibella (xx000C66) 1 100 Increases Speech skill by 15 points. Increases your Stamina by 40 points.
Hide Lucky Fishing Hat (xx000A6F) 0.5 1 When worn, rainstorms occur whilst fishing at temperate lakes and streams.
Mentor’s Ring (xx000B29) 0.25 8000 All spells cost 10% less magicka to cast.
Ring of Khajiit (xx000B94) 0.25 18000 You move 10% faster. Allows you to cast the spell Hide.
Ring of Kynareth (xx0EA5CC) 0.25 2000 When worn, rainstorms occur whilst fishing at temperate lakes and streams.
Ring of Phynaster (xx0008E3) 0.25 18000 Resistance to magic and shock is improved by 20%. Resistance to poison is improved by 40%.
Ring of Surroundings (xx000BC0) 0.25 12000 You are 40% harder to detect.
Ring of the Wind (xx000BA0) 0.25 8000 You move 15% faster.
Vampiric Ring (xx000C07) 0.25 12000 Cloak of drain life - 10/s drain life on targets in melee range while in combat.
Emperor Crab Spirit Charm (xx000F07) 0.5 2000 Can swim underwater without drowning. Increases Evasion Armor skill by 78 points. Increases Heavy Armor skill by 78 points.
Warlock’s Ring (xx000B2A) 0.25 22000 While blocking, creates a ward that protects against spells for up to 50 points. Health regenerates 30% faster. You move 5% faster.

Weapons

Name (ID) Type Tempering Weight Value Damage Description
Alik’ri Fishing Rod (xx00084D) 1 Hand Sword N/A 2 75 24 Greatly improves the chance of catching small fish when fishing.
Argonian Fishing Rod (xx000850) 1 Hand Sword N/A 3.5 55 24 Greatly improves the chance of catching large fish when fishing.
Ancient Nordic Dagger (xx000E44) 1 Hand Dagger Steel Ingot; Perk: Craftmanship 3.5 5 30  
Ancient Nordic Mace (xx000E46) 1 Hand Mace Steel Ingot; Perk: Craftmanship 15 17 60  
Ancient Nordic Warhammer (xx000E47) 2 Hand Warhammer Steel Ingot; Perk: Craftmanship 26 42 114  
Dwarven Fishing Rod (xx00084E) 1 Hand Sword N/A 6 110 30 Greatly improves the chance of catching items when fishing.
Fang of Haynekhtnamet (xx000ED3) 1 Hand Dagger Dragon Bone; Perk: Draconic Blacksmithing 6.5 1446 66 Target takes 30 points of shock damage, and 60 points of irresistible damage to Dwemer constructs.
Fishing Rod (xx00084F) 1 Hand Sword N/A 3 10 18  
Honed Ancient Nord Dagger (xx08A1ED) 1 Hand Dagger Steel Ingot; Perk: Dwarven 4.5 9 48  
Honed Ancient Nord Mace (xx08A1EE) 1 Hand Mace Steel Ingot; Perk: Dwarven 15 31 78  
Honed Ancient Nord Warhammer (xx08A1EF) 2 Hand Warhammer Steel Ingot; Perk: Dwarven 26 76 138  
Irkngthand War Axe of Fire (xx07AED6) 1 Hand War Axe Dwarven Metal Ingot; Perk: Dwarven 16 742 84 Burns the target for 20 points. Targets on fire take extra damage.
Irkngthand War Axe of Freezing (xx04D05E) 1 Hand War Axe Dwarven Metal Ingot; Perk: Dwarven 16 742 84 Target takes 20 points of frost damage to Health and Stamina.
Nord Hero Dagger (xx08A1E4) 1 Hand Dagger Steel Ingot; Perk: Advanced Blacksmithing 2 210 48  
Nord Hero Mace (xx08A1E5) 1 Hand Mace Steel Ingot; Perk: Advanced Blacksmithing 13 390 78  
Nord Hero Warhammer (xx08A1E6) 2 Hand Warhammer Steel Ingot; Perk: Advanced Blacksmithing 24 660 132  

Food

Raw Food

Name (ID) Weight Value Hunger Effect(s) Notes
Raw Angler (xx000890) 2 30 Very Small Restore Stamina, 90 pts Details: Large Fish, common Sources: Freezing waters only while using the Argonian Fishing Rod. Pilgrim’s Trench, small cavern on the ocean floor
Raw Arctic Char (xx0008A4) 1 10 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Uncommon, Any Weather Sources: Freezing waters Hela’s Folly Orphan’s Tear (within the sunken deck) Pilgrim’s Trench
Raw Arctic Grayling (xx0008A3) 0.5 5 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Any Weather Sources: Freezing waters; e.g. Dawnstar fishing spot near the boat.
Raw Brook Bass (xx00089C) 0.5 2 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Any Weather Sources: Outside Mixwater Mill Temperate Lakes and Rivers
Raw Carp (xx000898) 0.5 2 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Any Weather Sources: Outside East Empire Company Warehouse Under Dragonsreach bridge. Temperate Lakes
Raw Catfish (xx000897) 1 3 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Rainy Weather Sources: Temperate Lakes; e.g. Near Geirmund’s Hall, Riften, or Falkreath
Raw Cod (xx0008A2) 1 15 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Any Weather Sources: Freezing waters Outside Anga’s Mill Outside Bronze Water Cave
Raw Direfish (xx000896) 1 4 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Common Sources: Underground fishing spots Inside Broken Oar Grotto Embershard Mine
Raw Glass Catfish (xx0008A0) 0.5 2 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Common Sources: Underground fishing spots Blackreach Lost Knife Hideout Inside Reachwater Rock
Raw Pogfish (xx000891) 1 3 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Uncommon, Any Weather Sources: Riverwood fishing spot Temperate Rivers
Raw Salmon (xx00089B) 1 3 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Very Common, Any Weather Can also be used to make Salmon Steak Sources: Everywhere
Raw Scorpion Fish (xx0008A1) 1 30 Very Small Restore Stamina, 60 pts Details: Large Fish, Rare Sources: Eleven underground fishing spots only while using the Argonian Fishing Rod. Darkfall Cave One (which respawns rarely) to catch by hand.
Raw Slaughterfish (xx000F25) 2 5 Very Small Restore Stamina, 90 pts Details: Large Fish, Common, Any Weather Sources: Temperate Lakes and Streams
Tripod Spiderfish (xx00089E) 0.5 10 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Uncommon Sources: Underground fishing spots Blackreach Inside Broken Oar Grotto - 19 in total. Embershard Mine Inside Reachwater Rock Lost Prospect Mine Shadowgreen Cavern, under a rock in the pool of water
Raw Vampire Fish (xx00088B) 1 10 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Details: Large Fish, Uncommon Sources: Underground fishing spots Castle Volkihar - 10 can be found in the surrounding waters. Lost Knife Hideout Inside Reachwater Rock Dead Drop Falls Dimhollow Crypt - 5 can be found in the water surrounding Serana’s coffin.
Raw Mudcrab Meat (xx014D22) 0.1 0 Very Small Restore Stamina, 30 pts Sources: Mudcrabs Fish Barrels; e.g. Outside the Riften Fishery on the docks.

Baked Food

Name (ID) Weight Value Hunger Effect(s) Ingredients
Crab Cakes (xx000F78) 0.1 5 Heavy Restore Stamina, 40 pts Fortify Block, 5 pts for 300 seconds 1 Salt, 1 Sack of Flour, 1 Raw MudCrab Meat

Cooked Food

Name (ID) Weight Value Hunger Effect(s) Ingredients
Cooked Angelfish (xx000881) 0.2 40 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Angelfish
Cooked Angler (xx0008A5) 2 40 Heavy 150 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Angler
Cooked Angler Larvae (xx00088E) 0.2 2 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Angler Larvae
Cooked Arctic Char (xx00088D) 1 15 Heavy 100 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Arctic Char
Cooked Arctic Grayling (xx00088C) 0.5 8 Heavy 50 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Arctic Grayling
Cooked Brook Bass (xx00087C) 0.5 5 Heavy 50 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Brook Bass
Cooked Carp (xx00087E) 0.5 5 Heavy 50 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Carp
Cooked Catfish (xx00087F) 1 5 Heavy 100 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Catfish
Cooked Cod (xx00087A) 1 18 Heavy 100 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Cod
Cooked Direfish (xx000880) 1 5 Heavy 100 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Direfish
Cooked Glass Catfish (xx000882) 0.5 5 Heavy 50 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Glass Catfish
Cooked Glassfish (xx00088F) 0.2 2 Medium 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat) 1 Glassfish
Cooked Goldfish (xx000883) 0.2 15 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Goldfish
Cooked Juvenile Mudcrab (xx00089A) 0.2 15 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Juvenile Mudcrab
Cooked Lyretail Anthias (xx000884) 0.2 40 Medium 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat), Fortify Magicka 50 pts for 300 seconds 1 Lyretail Anthias
Cooked Pearlfish (xx00087B) 0.2 18 Medium 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat) 1 Pearlfish
Cooked Pogfish (xx00088A) 1 5 Heavy 100 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Pogfish
Cooked Pygmy Sunfish (xx000885) 0.2 5 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Pygmy Sunfish
Cooked Scorpion Fish (xx00087D) 1 40 Heavy 100 points Restore Stamina (out of combat), resist poison 60 for 300 seconds 1 Raw Scorpion Fish
Cooked Spadefish (xx000886) 0.2 18 Medium 40 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Spadefish
Cooked Tripod Spiderfish (xx000887) 0.5 15 Heavy 50 points Restore Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Tripod Spiderfish
Cooked Vampire Fish (xx000888) 1 18 Heavy 100 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat) 1 Raw Vampire Fish
Creamy Crab Bisque (xx000F02) 0.5 8 Soup 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat), Fortify Stamina 25 pts for 1200 seconds, 1 pt Magic regen for 1200 seconds 1 Salt, 1 Flour, 1 Butter, 1 Raw Mudcrab Meat, 1 Water bottle
Crab Stew (xx000F76) 0.5 5 Soup 75 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat), 1 pt Stamina regen for 1800 seconds 1 Garlic, 1 Potato, 1 Leek, 1 Raw Mudcrab Meat, 1 Water bottle
Potato Crab Chowder (xx000F06) 0.5 8 Soup 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat), 25 points Magic regen for 1200 seconds 1 Potato, 1 bottle Milk, 1 Butter, 1 Raw Mudcrab Meat, 1 Water bottle
Roasted Tomato Crab Bisque (xx000F04) 0.5 5 Soup 40 points Restore Magic and Stamina (out of combat), Fortify Magicka 20 pts for 1200 seconds , 1 pt Magic regen for 1200 seconds 1 Salt, 1 Tomato, 1 Butter, 1 Raw Mudcrab Meat, 1 Water bottle

Beverages

Name (ID) Weight Value Effect(s) Notes
Aged Flin (xx000C2D) 0.5 180 fortify health, 90 points for 900 seconds, slows the regeneration of Stamina by 25% and twice that for Magicka for 1350 seconds. applies Alcohol blur for 900s Sources: Quest items for Spirits Away.

Ingredients

Ingredient Name (ID) Primary Effect Secondary Effect Tertiary Effect Quaternary Effect Value Weight
Angelfish xx0008EB  Regenerate Health Resist Fire Fortify Marksman Waterbreathing 30 0.25
Angler Larvae xx0008F0  Lingering Damage Health Regenerate Stamina Waterbreathing Fortify Two-handed 1 0.25
Glassfish xx0008EE  Restore Magicka Invisibility Fortify Illusion Nighteye 1 0.25
Goldfish xx0008EF  Restore Stamina Fortify Armor Waterbreathing Resist Frost 10 0.25
Juvenile Mudcrab xx0008F2  Regenerate Stamina Fortify Carry Weight Cure Disease Fortify Two-handed 10 0.25
Lyretail Anthias xx0008F1  Restore Magicka Fortify Alteration Fortify Conjuration Fortify Carry Weight 30 0.25
Pearlfish xx0008EC  Restore Stamina Resist Frost Spell Absorb Fortify One-handed 15 0.25
Pygmy Sunfish xx0008ED  Restore Stamina Lingering Damage Magicka Damage Magicka Regen Fortify Restoration 2 0.25
Spadefish xx0008F3 Restore Health Fortify Lockpicking Expertise Fortify Pickpocket Cure Disease 15 0.25

Junk

Name Weight Value Rarity
Wooden Torch 0.4 4 Common
Iron Lantern 1.5 18 Common
Wood 2 2 Common
Iron Cooking Pot 5 9 Common
Steel Hunting Knife 2 16 Common
Iron Hunting Knife 1.5 9 Common
Sharp Rock 0.5 0 Common
Waterskin (Empty) 0.5 15 Common
Fur Bedroll 2 25 Common
Tinder (Decent) 0.1 4 Common
Flammable Oil 1 4 Common
Toolkit: Survivalist’s 1 20 Common
Iron Pot 2 12 Rare
Iron Large Pot 5 23 Rare
Wooden Bowl 0.5 2 Rare
Wooden Plate 0.5 2 Rare
Iron Tankard 0.5 3 Rare
Iron Clothes Press 2 10 Rare
Silver Ewer 2.5 140 Rare
Human Skull 2 5 Rare
Steel Battleaxe Head 12 66 Rare
Iron War Axe Head 4 12 Rare
Building Glass 1 5 Rare
Animal Bone (Small) 0.5 5 Rare
Animal Bone (Large) 2 10 Rare
Child’s Doll 1 10 Rare
Animal Bone (Superlative) 10 50 Rare

Note: In addition to above, Leather and hide armors, Iron, Steel, Elven or Orcish weapons and armor can also be fished up rarely.