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Improving Sims 4: The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
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.
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.
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
Sylvan Glade offers two Great Fishing Spots - Read on Hidden Areas
Here are the few things that unlock as you raise your Sim's Fishing Skill Level:
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Explore My Mods! Color Picker for Builders, Seasons Tuner, Dine Out Reloaded and a Gameplay Overhaul! Like other modders, I've been working to make The Sims 4 a better game. Check out my many mods here!
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.
| 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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We now have a Youtube Channel with over 50 guides in video format to go along with the huge site I've already created. Check it out and consider subscribing if you like my style.
The Sims 4 Seasons expansion now has options! Want to disable weather or make plants in season year-round? You can do so with my new Seasons Tuner Mod
The past month, I've spent every day tinkering The Sims 4, making quality of life improvements, gameplay changes, and new difficulty settings for the game. If you'd like to learn more about my project, visit the post on Patreon where you can download it now.
Cottage Living Guide! Here is my guide to new features in the Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion
You can also find handy Cottage Living Cheats
I have much more to come, since you can actually write a few guides about this pack!
Blender has been incredibly useful in video production, so I made my own Physics and Simulation Improvement Addon that lumps a ton of unique tools into one compact interface.
Snowy Escape Cheats
Lifestyles in Snowy Escape
Climb Mt. Komorebi
Sentiments in Snowy Escape
Rock Climbing
Skiing Skill
Snowboarding Skill
I've released a guide to Sentiments in The Sims 4 & Snowy Escape.
There is a new platform tool in The Sims 4. There's also a new Sentiments system, but it'll take some time to create a guide to that. Players can also use rental lots in any world now by changing lot types of builds in manage worlds.
I've created a massive List of The Best Mods in The Sims 4 that should be very helpful to new players and those who have not yet explored modding and how much it can do for your gameplay.
New - Secrets I have a new guide to secrets in the game. If you prefer, you can also watch a video about secrets in Sims 4.
Nifty Knitting is now available. Learn all about the stuff pack on my guide page here.
NEW - Nifty Knitting CheatsNew features in the Sims 4 June 2020
The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Guide
Eco Footprint: How it Works
Neighborhood Action Plans
How to Cheat in Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle
Civil Designer Career
Insect Farms & Bio Fuel
Fabrication Skill in Eco Lifestyle
Juice Fizzing NEW
Traits and Aspirations in DLC
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Updated
Trait Cheats Updated
Traits List Updated
Aspirations List Updated
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This is inspired by a new series in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to the full playlist!
I now have a guide page to Tiny Living Stuff where you can learn about Murphy Beds, the new death, as well as the lot bonuses you'll receive if you manage to keep the size of your lot down with this new pack's Tiny Home Lot Type.
New I now have a guide to Making Super Sims in The Sims 4. Look for a text version within the next 72h. It won't have THAT much more info but it will help out as a checklist.
This was inspired by a series, "Let's Play a Super Sim" in which I start at toddler and gradually take on the major bonuses. Here's a link to each part for people who are interested. You can also see the Let's Play as a Playlist on Youtube.
The Sims 4 Discover University has been announced for November 15 for PC/Mac and December 17 for Xbox and Playstation 4 consoles. Click to learn more about the pack, see my summary of the livestream or read our FAQs below.
Other Guides to Discover University:
New Lot Traits: Study Spot and University Student Hang Out
New: Discover University FAQ: Gameplay Features
New Video The Sims 4 Discover University Gameplay Tips Video
More videos coming soon!
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http://www.carls-sims-4-guide.com/download/FishingLocations.pdf
PDF Link
Guide to Cheats
The fish list in the guide above lists every game location that a specific fish can be found and often if you look at the fishing spot you can actually see the type of fish that will be there just by looking in the water.
Where's the best spot to fish?
Depends on what level skill your sim has and what fish they want/need! Use the fish list in the guide above and choose rivers, lakes or ponds etc depending on fish type needed.