New World Fishing Leveling Guide - Learn all About Fishing!

Reaching fishing levels is not an easy task in New World. It involves many hours of fishing in secret hotspots and other locations. Due to this, it’s imperative to adopt a journey that saves time and effort. We’ve written this New World Fishing Leveling Guide to help you fish dragon fish, aquatic snail, and other fish to reach the max level quickly.

Table of Contents

What is the Fishing Skill in New World?

Types of Water

Fishing Poles

Baits 

Fishing Pole Perks

Fishing Gear Perks

What Are Fishing Hotspots?

Experience

Basic Actions of Fishing

Fishing Quest Chain

Enhancing Your Fishing

How to Level Fishing from 0 to 200 in New World?

New World Fishing Leveling Guide Final Thoughts

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What is the Fishing Skill in New World?

Fishing is one of the main trade skills that lets you fish in different bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes, that are scattered by the Aeternum. This guide will show you how to level your Fishing skill in the fastest way from 0 to 200, and which are the basics of fishing!

Besides, Fishing provides your arcana materials to make potions and tinctures and, of course, fantastic materials for cooking, to prepare main dishes such as squid meat and other rare materials.

Types of Water

Just like in the real world, there are two categories of water in the Aeternum: Saltwater and Freshwater.

Saltwater

This is the water that surrounds the Aeternum and is equivalent to the seas. Saltwater is indicated in the map with dark and brown coloration and a scaline shading. Some good points of saltwater are the beaches at the edges of the land. 

Freshwater

Freshwater is considered all the waters found inside the island. This includes rivers, lakes, and ponds. On the map, freshwater is marked with a light blue hue. You can gather freshwater as a resource.

Fishing Poles

You’ll get your fishing poles from an engineer or crafting for yourself. Next are the basic rods you can find in New World.

Name	Max Cast Distance	Tension Recovery	Fish Rarity	Obtained
Wooden Fishing Pole	12m	-27.5/sec	+0%	Crafted by an engineer or as a reward in the quest Fishing with Shields
Treated Wood Fishing Pole	14m	-30/sec	+25%	Crafted by an engineer (0)
Aged Wood Fishing Pole	16m	-32.5/sec	+75%	Crafted by an engineer (50)
Wyrdwood Fishing Pole	18m	-35/sec	+100%	Crafted by an engineer (100)
Ironwood Fishing Pole	20m	-37.5/sec	+125%	Crafted by an engineer or as a reward in the quest Treasure of the Deep

Baits 

Baits are using to improve the fishing experience. You can get the using the Harvesting skill and the cooking skill. There are two types of baits: Saltwater Baits and Freshwater Baits. Below you find all the bait items:

Freshwater Baits

Name	Icon	Description	Obtained
Meat Bait		Gives a small boost to the chance of catching bigger fish in freshwater.	Via Cooking.
Clam Bait		Gives a medium boost to the chance of catching bigger fish in freshwater.	By salvaging clams.
Oyster Bait		Gives a large boost to the chance of catching the biggest fish in freshwater.	By salvaging oysters.
Bread Bait		Gives a small boost to the chance of catching better fish in freshwater.	In Provisions crates.
Woodlouse Bait		Gives a medium boost to the chance of catching better fish in freshwater.	By harvesting bushes.
Firefly Bait		Gives a large boost to the chance of catching better fish in freshwater.	By harvesting bulrush and Briar Plants.

Saltwater Baits

Name	Icon	Description	Obtained
Fish Bait		Gives a small boost to the chance of catching larger fish in saltwater.	Via Cooking.
Snail Bait		Gives a medium boost to the chance of catching bigger fish in saltwater.	By salvaging Aquatic Snails.
Electric Eel Bait		Gives a large boost to chance of catching the biggest fish in saltwater.	By salvaging Electric Eels.
Cheese Bait		Gives a small boost to chance of catching better fish in saltwater.	In Provisions crates and by gathering Flint.
Nightcrawler Bait		Gives a medium boost to the chance of catching better fish in saltwater.	By gathering Flint during daytime and in Provision Crates.
Glowworm Bait		Gives a large boost to the chance of catching better fish in saltwater.	By gathering Flint during daytime and in Provision Crates.

Fishing Pole Perks

Perks provide notable bonuses to fishing in different aspects, such as cast distance. There are 11 perks that can be found on Fishing Poles. These are:

Daytime Colossus: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching larger fish during daytime.

Nightime Colossus: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching larger fish during nighttime.

Freshwater Colossus: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching larger fish in freshwater.

Saltwater Colossus: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching larger fish in salt water.

Lucky Day: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching better fish during daytime.

Lucky Night: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching better fish during nighttime.

Suns Reach: Improves maximum cast distance during daytime.

Moons Reach: Improves maximum cast distance during night time.

Freshwater Brawn: Improves line strength in freshwater.

Saltwaters Brawn: Improves line strength in saltwater.

Sturdy: Improves item durability.

Fishing Gear Perks

There are other three perks that you can find in Fishing Perks that allow you to catch larger fish and catch rare fish. These perks are:

Fishing Colossus: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching larger fish.

Lucky Waters: Small/medium/large boost to the chance of catching better fish.

Fishing Reach: Improves maximum cast distance.

What Are Fishing Hotspots?

Fishing hotspots are special places where you can catch rare fish. To locate them, you’d see a school of fish in a specific location. There are different hotspots in New World:

1. Broad Hotspots (1-star)

2. Rare Hotspots (2-star)

3. Secret Hotspot (3 stars)

Fishing hotspots vary in respawn rates, rarity, and fish counts.

Fishing Hotspots	Common Fish	Uncommon Fish	Rare Fish	Legendary Fish	Fish Count	Respawn Time
Broad Fishing Hotspot	45%	40%	10%	<5%	30	30 minutes
Rare Hotspot	0%	65%	30%	5%	20	45 minutes
Secret Hotspot	0%	20%	70%	10%	10	45 - 9 minutes

Experience

The experience you get depends on two factors: the size of the fish, and the rarity of the fish.

Rarity:

1. Common fish 100-200 experience.

2. Uncommon fish 150-163 experience.

3. Rare Fish 175-200 experience.

4. Legendary Fish 550 experience.

Note. The range of each rarity is dictated by the fish size.

Basic Actions of Fishing

Let's break down the basic action of fishing into parts to better understand the best way to gain experience.

Fishing Actions:

1. Equipping Bait

2. Casting

3. Hooking

4. Reeling In

Equipping Bait

In order to equip a bait, stand at the edge of the water and press the F3 button to pull out the fishing pole. Then, push R to open the bait menu. Now select the type of bait for the type of water or the bait you need for catching bigger fish or rarer fish.

Casting

Next step is about casting your line. To cast, click the left mouse button and hold it. The casting mini-game will start. The idea is to get the casting distance to max. To do this, let go of left-click when the diamond gets to the top.

Hooking

Now it’s time to wait for the bite mini-game. The time delay depends on the depth of the water.

Fresh Water

1. Deep Water 5-15 seconds

2. Shallow Water 10-25 seconds

3. Very Shallow Water 20-30 seconds

Saltwater

1. Deep Water 5-15 seconds

2. Shallow Water 10-20 seconds

3. Very Shallow Water 15-25 seconds

Fishing in deeper water and getting a longer cast will help you to cut down on the fishing time and level up faster your fishing level.

After your line is in the water, wait for the icon of a fish and hook it with a timer. This is when you click to hook your fish successfully. If you don’t click before the timer runs out, you will miss your fish and have to recast your line.

Reeling Up

Now it’s time for the tension mini-game. The first thing you need to understand is the icon(s). Each icon shows the tension of the line in the center.

Green icon - Low Tension.

Orange - Medium Tension.

 

Red - High Tension (About to break).

The outer circle of the icon remarks how close the fish is to being reeled in. Hold left click to reel in the fish. As you do this, the tension will go up as well as the fish fights back. If the tension gets to orange, stop holding the left click, and the tension will drop back to a lower level. When the tension has dropped back down, you can left-click again. If the tension is red, then the line will break, and you’ll lose the fish.

Note. The size and rarity of the fish will determine how difficult it will be to reel in the fish.

Fishing Quest Chain

Your Quest Chain for fishing starts when you talk with the quest giver, Michael Shields. He’s located at the west of Windsward. There is a total of 15 quests in this Quest Chain. Of course, these quests are about catching fish and other elements.

These quests do not give you experience, but when you finish the final quest, they will give you a Legendary Pole Reward Box. This box will reward you with one of the four unique Fishing poles:

1. Ancient Fishing Pole;

2. Corrupted Fishing Pole;

3. Angry Earth Fishing Pole;

4. Lost Fishing Pole.

The quests are the following:

1. Fishing with Shields.

2. Fishing Basics.

3. Baited.

4. Hotspot Hunt.

5. Practice Makes Perfect.

6. The Giant Ones.

7. Fish Reagents.

8. Reel Life.

9. Weapons of the Sea.

10. Treasures of the Deep.

11. Soulwarden Rations.

12. Azoth-Tinged Fish.

13. Corruption-Tinged Fish.

14. Ecological Report.

15. To Be a Grand Master.

Enhancing Your Fishing

There are two ways to boost the chance of fishing: Perks and Buffs.

Fishing Perks can only be attached to Fishing Poles since we can’t craft fighting gear. Just like other tools, the number of perks that a pole can have depend on the rarity of the pole.

Each Perk has a Crafting Mod that can be used in crafting to guarantee the perk. Regarding buffs, you can stack them if they come from different sources. If you stack buffs of the same source, it will just refresh your buffer time.

How to Level Fishing from 0 to 200 in New World?

Leveling fishing is a little more complicated than just grabbing a pole, bait, and fish. In order to reach level 200, you will need a total of 452,050 XP. Starting out after either completing the first quest “Fishing with Shields” or crafting your Tier 1 Pole, you will need to buy or gather some bait.

Fishing Level From 0 to 20

The first thing you have to do is get a fishing pole. To do this, accept the first fishing quest in Windward. Below, you’ll find more options to gain fishing XP.

Accept the Fishing Questline in Windsward

The first fishing spots you have to visit are located in Windsward. We recommend you speak with Michael Shields and accept the Fishing Questline. He’ll provide you with a free fishing pole. Michael is located on a lake pier to the west of Windswar Helmet.

Use the Hotspots at Fishing Level 2

After reaching level 2, two hotspots will be unlocked in the vicinity of the settlement in Windsward. Here you can catch fish for cooking and recipes. You can start to fish here until you reach level 7 fishing.

Fish at the Rarest Fishing Spot in Windsward

When you reach level 7, the Rare Saltwater Fishing Hotspot located at the end of Stoneview Seabreak in Windsward will unlock. Fish here to get increased chances at uncommon and rare fish. You can also come back to the unlocked fishing hotspot to the south of Stone Sea break. Fish in both spots to reach level 12.

Catch Fish in First Light

When you reach fishing skill level 12, six Broad Fishing Hotspots should appear in First Light. Now you can try catching rare fish. Changing the region will give you the advantage to start racking up Aquatic Snails and Clams. You will need these elements to progress the Fishing Quest in First Light later on.

Start fishing in Everfall

When you reach level 16, a good idea is to start to fish in Everfall, where you can find Rare Fishing Hotspots. You should exhaust these spots until you reach level 20. There, you can also farm fishing baits, such as Nightcrawler Bait, Firefly Bait, and Glowworm Bait.

Fishing Level From 20 to 40

At this point, you must level your character to be able to visit new hotspots in higher-level areas. The general rule is to equip better baits to catch fish of better quality.

Camp and Fish a Rare Fishing Hotspot

The fastest way of getting huge amounts of Fishing XP is to stay at a single Rare Fishing Spot and continuously fish until depleted. Then visit nearby Broad Fishing Hotspots and fish there until the Rare Hotspot refreshes. You can do this until you reach level 30.

Level up Your Character Until Level 35

Level up your character until at least level 35 or higher to use the unlocked Fishing Hotspots at levels 20 to 40. After reaching level 30, you’ll have to level up your characters in order to leave the initial regions and fish in mid-level regions, such as Brightwood, Weaver’s Fen, and Cutlass Key.

Progress Fishing Questline in Monarch’s Bluff

Upon reaching level 37, you can head to Monarch's Bluffs and complete the next chapter of the Fishing Questline. Talk with Quinton Warwick, located on a small island to the south of Werna Isle. After completing this quest, two Broad Hotspots should be unlocked in the region. You can choose between fishing in their spots or returning to the other regions.

Fishing level from 40 to 60

Before approaching new regions of the Aeternum, you should level up your character to at least level 40. Regions like Great Cleave, Restless Shore, Mourningdale, and Ebonscale Reach are dangerous high-level regions to explore with an underleveled character.

Fish in Starter Region Hotspots Until Fishing Level 45

A good idea is to fish in the mid and starter regions to reach level 45 fishing. At level 45, a Rare Hotspot will appear in the south of Cutlass Keys, in a place called “El Cayo de la Muerte.” You can camp here and fish easily.

Progress the Fishing Questline in Cutlass Keys

Since you’re in the region, talk with Edith Perchal to the north of Cutlass Keys. To complete this quest easily, use baits to increase caught fish size.

Progress the Fishing Questline In Brightwood

Now, head to Greyvale in Brightwood and talk with Park Jennet, located on the lake pier, and start with the next fishing questline. You’ll have to catch catfish from freshwater and squid from saltwater.

Progress the Fishing Questline in Weaver’s Fen

This next quest in the Fishing Questline is one of the easiest. Go to Weaver’s Fen and talk with Sheetal Agarwal, who is on the northeastern border of Weaver’s Fen, Restless Shore, and Mourningdale. Fish out 3 Soggy Boots without using any bait to complete this mission.

Fish at Rare Hotspots in Cutlass Keys

When you reach level 56 fishing, a new Rare Hotspot will be unlocked in Cutlass Keys. These two spots located in the south of Cutlass Keys, the new one and the one located in “El Cayo de la Muerte,” are perfect for catching rarer fish and improving the fishing trade skill. Cycle through these two spots in order to rack up fishing XP.

Fishing Level From 60 to 80

Just like the previous cases, from this point, it’s necessary you level up your character to continue leveling up this gathering trade skill. Do not forget to acquire a size boosting bait to improve your chances of getting a better fish.

Fish at Rare Fishing Spots in Weaver’s Fen

Upon reaching level 60 Fishing, two new Rare Fishing Hotspots will appear in Weaver’s Fen. The first is located below South Vega Bridge. The second is to the north of Wretched Shallows. Another Rare Fishing Spot will appear when you reach level 62. You can find this spot very near the waterfall to the north of Mallory's Refuge spirit shrine.

Head to Restless Shore to Fishing Quest

Take a quick tour to Restless Shore and talk with Finola O’Connor to start the next quest in the Fishing Questline. Finola is located southwest of the Restless Short fort. You’ll have to fish a Fish Headed Hammer and a Fish Sword.

Use the Rare Fishing Hotspots in Monarch’s Bluff

When you reach level 67, two new Rare Fishing Hotspots will be unlocked in the world map, specifically in  Monarch’s Bluff. These two new places are perfect for getting more experience and reaching level 80. The first is to the south of the starter beach. The second is located on the pier near Quinton Warmick, to the south of the Werma Isle. 

Unlock Rare and Secret Fishing Hotspots in Weaver’s Fen

When you reach level 70, a Secret Fishing Spot in the waterfall in the north of Periville will unlock. To get there, climb the cliffs located to the south of the Weaver’s Fen fort. Equip with rarity-booting bait and equipment to catch large fish and get more XP.

Cycle Back to Older Hotspots

Make sure to cycle back to older hotspots located in the previous regions if the Weaver’s Fen spots are on cooldown or you feel they become too monotonous. You can opt to fish in Restless Shore, but plenty of high-level players will be contesting the spots.

Fishing level from 80 to 100

This part is mainly about completing the fishing quest line. In addition to this, you can take advantage of your position to catch fish in the nearest bodies of water. 

Complete the Fishing Quest in Great Clave

Bead over to Great Clave to progress the Fishing Questline. Talk with Eberhart Klaus located on a pier beside Glass Lake. The quest is about catching large fish. To do this, visit older spots and equip size boosting bait.

Complete the Fishing Quest in Edengrove

If you have a good character level, head over to Edengrove and talk with Rory Davies, located near the lake edge to the south of Genesis of Malevolence. Fish in the lake beside Rory to complete the quest.

Progress the Questline in Shattered Mountain

Head over to Shattered Mountain and access NPC Konrad Bernard by approaching him from Preservation Pass at the tip to the north of Edengrove. Konrad will be on a pier by a small lake. Just be careful because the area is full of Angry Earth and Tundra Elementals.

Complete the Fishing Quest in Ebonscale Reach

Talk with Laquan Chang, an NPC you can find by traveling to the main settlement of the region. This quest is very simple. Just bring him various types of Fish Fillets.

Use Old Hotspots Until Reach Fishing Level 100

Revisit old hotspots and keep fishing until you reach level 100. Just remember that to use fishing spots in high-level regions, you need to level up your character to a decent level.

Complete the Questline in Reekwater

Head over to Reekwater and talk with Gaspar Machera, located to the northwest of Forecastle Drift.

Fishing level from 100 to 200

The best way for netting fishing XP is to begin fishing in all hotspots you can find in the different regions of the Aeternum. Between levels 100 and 200, the only recourse for optimal XP gains is fishing at hotspots.

Fish Between High-Level Quests

When you get to late-game content, you’ll be revisiting places such as Edengrove and Reekwater. But remember, do not try to reach level 200 fishing without leveling up your character first because these less populated regions are full of late-game players focused on grinding to 60 rather than fishing.

Aim for Bigger and Rarer Fish

Rarer and fisher fish will provide you with more fishing XP. So, focus on these fish types to quickly level up this trade skill.

Fish Types	EXP per Catch
Small Common	100
Medium Common	110
Large Common	120
Small Uncommon	150
Medium / Unique Uncommon	156
Large Uncommon	163
Small Rare / Starfish	175
Medium Rare	188
Large Rare / Treasure Chest	200
Legendary	550

Use Different Baits for Fishing Bonuses

When you reach level 100+ fishing, you’ll get a clear advantage by having more hotspot unlocks. Gain more XP by equipping different kinds of Bait when fishing in less populated hotspots. In a few words, bigger and better fish will provide you more fishing XP when successfully fish caught.

New World Fishing Leveling Guide Final Thoughts

We have arrived at the end of this New World Fishing Guide with a strong focus on leveling. To summarize,  a good combination of fishing quests and fishing quickly bigger and better fish is a perfect path to reach level 200 as soon as possible.  Most fish that provide good XP are found in the Rare Hotspots. Go there and catch the best fish possible. You’ll see how you level up for fishing.

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