The Sims 4 Fishing Skill

Bait, Fish List, & Guide to The Best Fishing Spots

This Guide to Fishing will help you Catch Every Fish

The Sims 4's Fishing Skill allows your Sim to catch fish and make loads of fast cash. Completing the Fish Collection is a goal many Simmers would like to achieve, and I aim to help with that by providing fishing spots for the hardest to catch fish. We'll also go over what you can do to make your fishing efforts better, and other useful things you can catch other than the fish themselves. If you already know about the skill and want to see the Fish themselves, Jump to the Fish List, but also read the Best Fishing Spots section below it!

How to: Fishing Cheats

Press Control + Shift + C then type testingcheats on and press enter. You can now set your skill level with stats.set_skill_level major_fishing x (fill in 1-10) - we also have a full listing of Skill Cheats and a master list of Cheats in The Sims 4

A guide to the fishing skill, with bait mechanics and how to complete the fish collection.

A video covering the fishing changes in the patch that came with Island Living. Its impact on the skill is noticeable, and rare collectibles are easier to find. Money making is a bit more even, however reduced.

A Note on The Free Patch and Island Living Expansion

Island Living introduces fish traps and the ability to fish from water canoes. At the same time, the developers overhauled the fishing skill to make its unlocks a bit more interesting. Sims can now mentor in fishing and share tips, among other things. The level up list below should make it clear what abilities you get from fishing regularly vs with the Expansion installed.

Getting Started in Fishing

Head to one of the signs next to a body of water. This is a fishing spot, and will allow your Sim to start developing the skill. As you level, not a lot unlocks, but know that your chances of catching the most valuable fish increase substantially with each level. Know that to fully complete your Fish Collection, you will have an easier time with level 10 Handiness as there is a Fish is reliably caught in Forgotten Grotto that can only be accessed with Level 10 Handiness. The other area, Sylvan Glade, also has rare fish but is accessible to all Sims.

Unlocking Angler's Tranquility makes Fishing Therapeutic for Sims

Good Traits and Aspirations for Fishing

Genius - This will help Sims get Focused, which can be amplified a bit by the Trait below when Sims' Needs are also met. Don't select it just for this unless you will also pursue Mental Skills, as Geniuses get upset if they do not work on those types of Skills for a time. However, Angler's Tranquility from the Angling Ace Aspiration can make the negative Moodlet from this go away!

- This will help Sims get Focused, which can be amplified a bit by the Trait below when Sims' Needs are also met. Don't select it just for this unless you will also pursue Mental Skills, as Geniuses get upset if they do not work on those types of Skills for a time. However, Angler's Tranquility from the Angling Ace Aspiration can make the negative Moodlet from this go away! Loves Outdoors - This will help your Sim be Happy when Outdoors, and being Happy is believed to help increase Skill gains. It will also work with any other Positive Moodlets and let your Sim fish a little longer before their needs send them home.

- This will help your Sim be Happy when Outdoors, and being Happy is believed to help increase Skill gains. It will also work with any other Positive Moodlets and let your Sim fish a little longer before their needs send them home. Angling Ace Aspiration - Completing this Aspiration will get you a load of Satisfaction, while also making Negative Moodlets disappear while fishing through the Angler's Tranquility Reward Trait.

Sylvan Glade offers two Great Fishing Spots - Read on Hidden Areas

Skill Unlocks

Here are the few things that unlock as you raise your Sim's Fishing Skill Level:

Level 1 - Catch Fish, Mount them, and put them in Fish Bowls

- Catch Fish, Mount them, and put them in Fish Bowls Level 2 - Catch Bass, Koi, and Trout

- Catch Bass, Koi, and Trout Level 3 - Sims can Fish with Bait and gain the Examine Water ability on Fishing Spots. If you own Island Living, you can catch fish using Fish Traps (max 2) in ocean water.

- Sims can Fish with Bait and gain the Examine Water ability on Fishing Spots. If you own Island Living, you can catch fish using Fish Traps (max 2) in ocean water. Level 4 - Can Catch Catfish and Tilapia. Chance of catching treasure increases.

- Can Catch Catfish and Tilapia. Chance of catching treasure increases. Level 5 - Catch more rare fish like the skeleton fish, "Captain Fishbones" Bonefish. Can now fish in any weather, and while uncomfortable, tense, or stressed.

- Catch more rare fish like the skeleton fish, "Captain Fishbones" Bonefish. Can now fish in any weather, and while uncomfortable, tense, or stressed. Level 6 - Can Catch Rainbow Fish. Share Fishing Tips unlocks as a social ability, helping others to level the skill. If you own Island Living the amount of traps you can use is upped to 4.

- Can Catch Rainbow Fish. Share Fishing Tips unlocks as a social ability, helping others to level the skill. If you own Island Living the amount of traps you can use is upped to 4. Level 7 - Can now catch Anglerfish. Can share information on the rarest fish when asked about fishing spots. With Island Living your Sim is now more adept at deep sea fishing and can catch Bluefin tuna.

- Can now catch Anglerfish. Can share information on the rarest fish when asked about fishing spots. With Island Living your Sim is now more adept at deep sea fishing and can catch Bluefin tuna. Level 8 - Teach other Sims to fish.

- Teach other Sims to fish. Level 9 - Can now "Angle for Big Catch" and share Expert Fishing Tips with other Sims.

- Can now "Angle for Big Catch" and share Expert Fishing Tips with other Sims. Level 10 - A true master of the fishing craft. The most elusive and difficult sea creatures prove no match, and other Sims envy your finesse and technique. In addition, your Sim has mastered the art of trapping and can now have a maximum of 6 Fish Traps. The legendary Golden Mahi Mahi can now be found in appropriate ocean waters.

Social Functions

Talk about Bait and local fishing spots are two fishing socials that can be handy. Sims can also be mentored in fishing. Other Sims may provide you advice on fish baits and types of fish to fill out the notebook with helpful information. Fishing is also now a join/invite type activity, and you'll gain small amounts of relationship while fishing with each other (even though they won't really talk).

Displaying Fish Trophies

Fish Bowls let your Fish shrink and become Immortal! :P

Putting Fish in Bowls

You may want to keep some of your catches alive. To do this, you must first find a Fish Bowl in Buy Mode > Objects by Room > Study > Indoor Activities. You can also search Fit4Fish. The bowl costs $60 and will magically shrink fish to accommodate them, while also making them immortal. The Freshness of the Fish does not matter: a rotten, dead fish will live on to serve as decoration for your home.

Mounting Fish

To Mount a Fish, click it in your Inventory. Each will create Confident Decor based on the catch, from 2-4 each. Mounting or putting 15 fish in Fish Bowls is part of the Angling Ace Aspiration.

Click to Enlarge. Mounted Fish give off a Confident Aura.

Fishing with Bait

In The Sims 4, Fish do not require specific bait, but rather types of Bait. Fishing with Bait is better than without and seems to give you a better rate of catches, regardless. Certain types of Fish will only reliably appear at a Fishing Spot if your Sim is using bait. Bait types for each Fish that require it are discussed in the Fish List, below.

Bait raises effective skill level, meaning your Sim catches at a higher rate while using it. It also shifts the odds of specific fish, when you're using the correct kind of bait. Only a handful of fish really require bait if at all. But catch rates can be so low that you will want it if you're trying to finish a collection.

To get bait, you can harvest wild plants or pursue Gardening yourself. If you plant some for catching Fish, go for something that grows fast like herbs, as you want big stacks so you don't run out. Additionally, you can use your own catches as bait - some Fish want a medium-sized fish, like the Catfish, which itself eats any kind of Plant Bait. A recommend means of bait for one Rare Fish is to Look for Frogs in Ponds (Parks in Oasis Springs and Willow Creek have them). It's not super-reliable and requires you to queue up the action many times, but it's one of the best ways to get up stacks of specific types of frogs for using them as bait. Ideally, you want at least 4-5 in a stack so that you do not immediately run out of bait once you start fishing. The Ponds are a great way to get common Frogs, for the fish do not care about the rarity of the frog.

Frogs are Bait for Wolf Eels, and Ponds are a Great Place to Find Them

Examine Water

Examine water unlocks at level 3. When you use this ability, which is best done when Focused, you will get an idea of what types of fish lurk at that spot and may learn what types of bait they use. When it fails, there's no message. I think that if it fails you may not get to try again, but it's sensible to use it before you begin fishing as it can help to fill out the notebook over time with information.

Fish Traps (Island Living)

Island Living's Fish Traps catch fish automatically.

The Sims 4 Island Living introduces Fish Traps, which can be found under outdoor activities objects. These new traps can be baited just like your pole, and will attract fish based on the bait you use. It's still random, but it helps improve your odds of specific fish. What's more, there are three places you can put fish traps: shoreline water (ankle deep), snorkeling depth water (shallow), and deep water (where you scuba). Each of the three has a separate fish list that determines what you'll catch, so placing them further out may be of use to you.

Before you go placing tons of these, you need level 3 Fishing to place 2, which expands to 6 by level 10 in the skill. Fish Traps take about 40-48h to fill, though sometimes they are full earlier. You can harvest them at half, but it's strongly suggested you let them fill up as it's inefficient on time, money, and bait. You can check trap to determine how full the traps are getting.

Canoe Fishing (Island Living)

Want to fish off a boat? Island Living will let you.

Island Living lets you fish off boats. Buy a canoe in outdoor activities, place it on your lot. Now your Sim can load it into their inventory and select a spot of water, "Sail here". Once you're out in the water, you can click the canoe to use a fishing interaction - all your normal ones, even Aquatic Lure (mermaid ability).

Be aware there are two places you can fish off a canoe - deep water and shallow water. There is a large visual difference between the two, as you can see through shallow water but not the deep. The top left neighborhood in Sulani has deep water, as does Mua Pel'am, but the resort area has no deep water.

Aquatic Lure (Mermaid Ability in Island Living)

Aquatic Lure improves fish catch rates at any fishing spot, even a canoe.

Island Living's Mermaids can use an ability called, "Aquatic Lure" on fishing spots. This costs 30 hydration, so top off before you use it. When this spell is cast, the Sim pulls out a big conch and blows. The horn sounds and a glow appears on the fishing spot. Now fishermen at this spot fish as though they're 2 levels higher, and fish catch rates are improved (as opposed to treasure/seaweed). This effect lasts at minimum several hours.

Endangered Species

Catching an Endangered fish like the Golden Mahi Mahi may result in fines, but they sure look nice on a wall. Nearby Sims will get mad at you for keeping one.

Sometimes when fishing in Island Living, you'll catch an endangered species. You are given a prompt, either keep it or throw it back. You do not need to keep it for it to count toward collecting, but you will need to if you want to sell it or mount it on your wall. Keeping the fish with other Sims nearby results in a relationship hit, and you may end up with a fine for doing so. The fish list below has all the endangered fish I'm aware of, but here they are for your convenience: Golden Mahi Mahi, Leopard Shark, Butterflyfish, Bluefin Tuna, Royal Sabrefish.

Fish List

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The Fish Collection in The Sims 4

Fish List for Collectors

If you want to complete your Fish Collection, this is the list for you. Here are all the Fish and a good Fishing Spot for each Rare and Uncommon, with Icons so that you can tell what Fish are missing.

The Sims 4 Fish List and Fishing Spots

Picture Fish Type Size Rarity Value* Fertilizer Strength Fishing Spot & Bait Bass M Common $16-$70 Medium Available in most Fishing Spots Celestial Grouper M Common $15-20 Low Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Cichlid S Common $10-$20 Medium Caught at most fishing spots. Magnolia Promenade (GTW) is a good one, as well as fishing spots in Willow Creek's bottom-right neighborhood. Clownfish S Common $15-18 Low Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Goldfish S Common $12-$15 Low Found in Ponds in Willow Creek and Oasis Springs' Parks Guppy S Common $7-$10 Low Found in Pond in Oasis Springs Park Koi M Common $24-$37 Med Found in Ponds in Willow Creek and Oasis Springs' Parks Mahi Mahi L Common $90-120 Low Island Living Expansion (Sulani). Catch in deep water Minnow S Common $7-$9 Low Available in most Fishing Spots Neon Angelfish S Common $15-22 Low Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Perch S Common $10-$13 Low Available in most Fishing Spots Salmon L Common $90-$342 High Available in most Fishing Spots Tambaqui L Common $60-$90 Med The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure. Found all over - can be caught at all spots around the marketplace in Selvadorada. Tetra S Common $6-$11 Low River at Willow Creek Park Trout M Common $19-$113 Med Found in Pond in Oasis Springs Park Tuna L Common $50-$90 High The Sims 4 City Living. Found in San Myshuno fishing spots and in many spots throughout the world. Walleye M Common $22-81 Med Outdoor Retreat Game Pack. Caught in most Granite Falls Fishing Spots Yellow Perch M Common $24-43 Med Outdoor Retreat Game Pack. Caught in most Granite Falls Fishing Spots Angelfish S Uncommon $14-$20 Low Look directly behind Willow Creek Library. There is a peninsula. Look to the fishing spot on the very end, and come back one spot - you'll be facing a lighthouse slightly to your right when facing the spot head on. This is the best way I can think of to describe it. If you don't catch one quickly it's RNG, I can confirm this as of Feb 2020. They moved locations of Angelfish and this is now one of the best spots. I don't know why. Armored Catfish M Uncommon $50-$?? Med The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure. Found under Omiscan Royal Baths (take left doorway when facing the temple gateway, if it is open). Betta S Uncommon $11-$20 Low Pond in Willow Creek Park Bluefin Tuna L Uncommon $150-175 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Endangered Butterflyfish M Uncommon $30-40 Med Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Catch at Mua Pel'am Oceanic Paradise lot Catfish M Uncommon $43-$107 Med Use Plants as Bait. Found very commonly in Rivers. Discus M Uncommon $35-50 Med Spa Day Game Pack. Caught near the businesses in both Willow Creek and Oasis Springs Exotic Goldfish S Uncommon $30-60 Med Spa Day Game Pack. Sylvan Glade's waterfall fishing spot Fighting Plakat S Uncommon $18-26 Low Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Kissing Gourami S Uncommon $16-$18 Low Found commonly in Rivers. Parrotfish L Uncommon $60-75 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Tilapia M Uncommon $54-$62 Med Found in Sylvan Glades, Waterfall Area. Wolf Eel L Uncommon $108-$364 High Use Frog as Bait. Found in Forgotten Grotto. Red Crawdad S Uncommon $11-16 Low Outdoor Retreat Game Pack. Found in most Granite Falls Fishing Spots Anglerfish M Rare $38-$350 Med Use Bass, Salmon, or Catfish as Bait. Found in Forgotten Grotto and Sylvan Glade Ponds. Batfish M Rare $119-$278 Med Found Commonly in Forgotten Grotto. "Captain Fishbones" Bonefish S Rare $10-$25 Low Magnolia Promenade (Get To Work), Oasis Spring's Park, Sylvan Glades (Willow Creek), Hermit's Secret Location (Outdoor Retreat) Electric Eel L Rare $50-$?? Med The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure. Found near the temple entrance - take the right gateway when facing the temple entrance, if it is open. Golden Mahi Mahi L Rare $250-350 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Endangered Species. Catch in deep water. Green Plakat S Rare $30-45 Med Island Living Expansion (Sulani) Gummie Guppie S Rare $15-30 Low Magnolia Promenade (GTW), Oasis Spring's Park, Sylvan Glade waterfall, Hermit's Secret Location (Outdoor Retreat) Leopard Shark M Rare $100-135 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Endangered Species. Catch at fishing spot near shipwreck house at Mua Pel'am Piranha S Rare $19-$27 Low Use Koi, Bass, Catfish, Rainbowfish, and other Medium Fish as bait. These are caught somewhat regularly in the pool at the back of Oasis Springs Park (not the pond, see below), and occasionally the pond in Willow Creek. As with all Rare catches, it may take higher than Fishing Level 7 to catch. This one most definitely requires bait to come up reliably. Rainbowfish M Rare $65-$85 Med Found in Forgotten Grotto and the Waterfall in Sylvan Glade. Red-Tailed Black Shark S Rare $18-$22 Low Use Small Fish as Bait. Look in the back of Oasis Springs park, up the hills at the 2nd fishing spot with a river cave near the entrance to Forgotten Grotto. Also possibly found in Pond in Willow Creek Park. Royal Sabrefish L Rare $300-400 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani). Endangered, Catch in deep ocean water. Scorpionfish L Rare $100-130 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Catch at fishing spot near shipwreck house on Mua Pel'am. Sturgeon L Rare $140-$350 High Found at pool in back of Oasis Springs Park, Pond in Willow Creek Park, as well as Forgotten Grotto. Swordfish L Rare $200-250 High Island Living Expansion (Sulani), Catch in deep ocean water. Treefish M Rare $151-$375 Med Found at Pond in Willow Creek Park, Sylvan Glade Pond. Blue Crawdad S Rare $50-81 High Outdoor Retreat Game Pack. Found in Deep Woods of Granite Falls (Waterfall Spot) Mountain Lionfish L Rare $166-$300 High Outdoor Retreat Game Pack. Found in Deep Woods of Granite Falls (Waterfall Spot) Pufferfish S Rare $67-$100 High Caught in San Myshuno docks. Can also be purchased at a vendor in the city. Vampire Squid M Rare $50-$?? Med The Sims 4 Vampires. Hardly rare - it is caught in Forgotten Hollow and an easy catch at level 10 with no bait.

* Values listed are based on our catches. You may find them higher or lower. Sturgeon is the most profitable Fish, hands down.

Outdoor Retreat Fish Additions

Seen in the table above, Outdoor Retreat adds 5 new catches to the Fish List. You'll find Walleye, Yellow Perch, Red and Blue Crawdads, and the extremely valuable Mountain Lionfish. The last two are rare and are likely only caught in the Deep Woods, at the Waterfall spot near the Hermit's House. Mountain Lionfish can be low value, or nearly $1k in value. They do not require any particular bait to catch.

Many Fishing Spots offer the Same Fish.

Four other Spots can help you Finish your Fish Collection

Where to Catch Every Fish (List/Maps of all Fishing Spots)

Playalot, Mr and Mrs. Flynn Arrowstarr created the following PDF which shows all neighborhoods, and the types of fishing spots you can find there. At the bottom, there is a list of the types of fish found in the various types of spawners. I have plans to convert this to HTML, but for now will just let people view it in this format as that may take some time.

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