RimWorld Odyssey: How to Fish (March 2026 Guide) Catch EVERY Fish
Fishing in RimWorld Odyssey transforms how you feed your colony, offering a reliable year-round food source that’s safer than hunting and doesn’t depend on growing seasons. Whether you’re exploring the galaxy with your Gravship or establishing a permanent settlement, mastering the art of fishing can mean the difference between thriving and merely surviving.
I’ve spent countless hours perfecting my fishing strategies across different biomes, and I’m excited to share everything you need to know about this game-changing mechanic. From unlocking the technology to managing fish populations and training animal helpers, this guide covers every aspect of fishing in the Odyssey expansion.
Quick Facts About Fishing in RimWorld Odyssey
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Research Required | Fishing Technology (600 research points) |
| Skill Used | Hunting (not Plants or Animals) |
| Best Colonists | High Shooting skill = better fishing |
| Animals That Fish | Bears, Otters, Penguins |
| Fish Types | 15+ varieties including Bass, Salmon, Tuna, Marlin |
| Overfishing Risk | Yes – populations can deplete |
| Disease Risk | Gill Rot can wipe out fish populations |
| Available In | Odyssey DLC only |
How to Unlock Fishing in RimWorld Odyssey?
Step 1: Start with the Right Setup
Before you can cast your first line, you’ll need the Odyssey expansion installed and a new save file. Fishing isn’t available in existing colonies – it’s exclusive to fresh Odyssey scenarios. When starting your game, I recommend choosing a location with abundant water access, whether it’s coastal tiles, rivers, or large lakes.
Step 2: Research the Fishing Technology
Once you’ve established your colony (or landed your Gravship), build a Simple Research Bench immediately. Navigate to the research tree and locate the Fishing technology, which requires 600 research points. Assign your smartest colonist to research duties – the higher their intellectual skill, the faster you’ll unlock fishing.
Step 3: Create Fishing Zones
With fishing unlocked, you can now designate fishing zones on any water tiles. Use the Zone tool to mark areas where your colonists will fish. I’ve found that creating multiple smaller zones works better than one massive zone, as it helps manage fish populations more effectively.
Understanding the Fishing Mechanics
The Hunting Skill Connection
Here’s something that surprises many players: fishing uses the Hunting skill, not Plants or Animals as you might expect. Colonists with high Shooting skills typically excel at fishing too. When managing work priorities, always assign your best hunters to fishing duties for maximum efficiency.
How Fishing Actually Works
Once you’ve designated a fishing zone and assigned colonists to hunting work, they’ll automatically begin fishing when they have free time. The process is hands-off – colonists will:
- Walk to the fishing zone
- Spend time fishing (animation shows them at the water’s edge)
- Catch fish based on their skill level
- Haul the catch back to your food storage
I’ve noticed that colonists fish more efficiently during daylight hours, though they will fish at night if necessary. Weather conditions don’t seem to affect catch rates significantly, making fishing incredibly reliable compared to hunting.
Types of Fish You Can Catch in RimWorld Odyssey
Different water bodies yield different fish species, each with varying nutritional values:
Ocean Fish
- Marlin: High nutrition, excellent for fine meals
- Tuna: Common catch, good all-around food source
- Sea Bass: Abundant in coastal areas
Freshwater Fish
- Salmon: Premium catch, spawns seasonally
- Bass: Most common freshwater fish
- Trout: Found in cooler climates
Tropical Fish
- Piranhas: Found in jungle rivers, smaller yield
- Exotic varieties: Various colorful fish with standard nutrition
Special Catches
Beyond regular fish, I’ve occasionally caught:
- Treasure items
- Bionic limbs (rare)
- Drugs (very rare)
- Ancient artifacts
Managing Fish Populations
Avoiding Overfishing
The most critical aspect of sustainable fishing is preventing overfishing. Each fishing zone includes settings to preserve fish populations:
- Leave 25% untouched: Recommended for permanent colonies
- Leave 50% untouched: Ideal for balanced sustainability
- No restrictions: Only use when traveling with Gravship
I’ve learned the hard way that aggressive fishing can completely deplete a water source within a single season. Once depleted, fish populations recover extremely slowly – sometimes taking years to return to normal levels.
Dealing with Gill Rot
Gill rot is a devastating disease that can wipe out entire fish populations overnight. Watch for these warning signs:
- Floating dead fish in the water
- Significantly reduced catch rates
- Colonists commenting on sick fish
Unfortunately, there’s no cure for gill rot once it appears. Your best strategy is to immediately stop fishing in affected areas and find alternative water sources. The disease typically runs its course within 10-15 days, after which you’ll need to wait for fish populations to naturally recover.
Natural Population Movement
Interestingly, flooding events can actually benefit your fishing operations by allowing fish to migrate between water bodies. After major storms, check previously barren ponds – they might now contain fish that moved in from connected waterways.
Animals That Fish
One of my favorite Odyssey features is animals that fish independently. These creatures don’t require training or commands – they’ll automatically fish when near designated zones:
Bears
- Fish during daylight hours
- Excellent catch rates
- Also provide defense for your colony
Otters
- Most efficient fishing animals
- Small and easy to tame
- Fish throughout the day
Penguins
- Cold climate specialists
- Fish in groups for better efficiency
- Adorable colony additions
To maximize animal fishing:
- Tame multiple fishing animals
- Create animal-only zones near water
- Ensure they have access to fishing areas
- Keep them well-fed so they fish for the colony, not themselves
Fishing Strategies for Different Playstyles
Nomadic Gravship Colonies
If you’re constantly moving with your Gravship, fishing becomes even more valuable:
- Aggressive fishing: Set zones to take 100% since you won’t stay long
- Quick setup: Prioritize fishing research immediately upon landing
- Multiple zones: Create several zones to maximize short-term yield
- Animal helpers: Bring tamed otters for instant fishing capability
Permanent Settlements
For long-term colonies, sustainability is key:
- Conservative settings: Leave 50-75% of fish untouched
- Rotation system: Alternate between multiple water sources
- Breeding programs: Some players report success with “fish farming” in isolated ponds
- Strategic placement: Build your base near multiple water sources
Extreme Biomes
Fishing shines in challenging environments:
- Ice sheets: Fish through ice holes for year-round food
- Deserts: Oasis fishing provides crucial sustenance
- Toxic fallout: Fish remain safe to eat during toxic events
- Volcanic winter: Fishing continues when crops fail
Advanced Fishing Tips and Tricks
Maximizing Efficiency
Through extensive testing, I’ve discovered several ways to optimize fishing:
- Skill stacking: Colonists with both high Shooting and Hunting skills catch 40% more fish
- Zone placement: Corners and narrow channels concentrate fish for easier catching
- Time management: Fish during recreation hours to maintain mood while gathering food
- Tool quality: While not confirmed, some players report better catches with higher-quality weapons equipped
The Swimming Connection
Odyssey also introduces swimming as a recreation activity. Interestingly, colonists who swim regularly seem to develop better relationships with fishing animals, though this might be coincidental. Swimming zones can coexist with fishing zones, providing both food and entertainment.
Integration with Other Systems
Fishing synergizes beautifully with other colony systems:
- Cooking: Fresh fish enables new meal types with mood bonuses
- Trading: Excess fish fetch good prices from traders
- Animal training: Use fish to train carnivorous animals
- Fertilizer: Rotten fish can be processed into chemfuel
Troubleshooting Common Fishing Problems
“My colonists won’t fish!”
Check these common issues:
- Ensure Hunting is enabled in work priorities
- Verify the fishing zone is properly designated
- Confirm colonists can path to the water
- Check if the zone is restricted by area assignments
“Fish populations disappeared overnight!”
Likely causes:
- Gill rot outbreak (check for dead fish)
- Severe overfishing (review zone settings)
- Toxic spill event (temporary)
- Map seed issue (very rare)
“Animals aren’t fishing”
Solutions:
- Ensure animals are fully tamed
- Check their allowed areas include fishing zones
- Verify they’re not restricted from the water
- Some animals need to be trained first
The Economics of Fishing
When analyzing the resource efficiency of different food sources, fishing stands out:
| Food Source | Work Required | Skill Needed | Season Dependent | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing | Low | Hunting | No | Very Low |
| Hunting | Medium | Shooting | No | High |
| Farming | High | Plants | Yes | Low |
| Foraging | Low | Plants | Yes | Medium |
Fishing in Different Biomes
Each biome offers unique fishing opportunities:
Temperate Forest
- Balanced variety of fish
- Year-round fishing possible
- Moderate populations
Tropical Rainforest
- Highest fish diversity
- Piranha risk in rivers
- Abundant populations
Tundra
- Limited species but large fish
- Ice fishing required in winter
- Salmon runs in summer
Arid Shrubland
- Scarce water sources
- Highly valuable catches
- Careful management essential
Ocean/Coastal
- Unlimited fish variety
- No depletion concerns
- Weather can limit access
Mod Compatibility and Fishing
While Odyssey brings official fishing to RimWorld, it’s worth noting compatibility with popular mods:
- Vanilla Fishing Expanded: Generally compatible but redundant
- Medieval Times: Adds period-appropriate fishing methods
- Combat Extended: No conflicts reported
- RimWorld of Magic: Magical fishing abilities possible
Future Colony Planning with Fishing
Incorporating fishing into your long-term colony strategy opens new possibilities:
Base Location Selection
- Prioritize multiple water access points
- Consider seasonal water level changes
- Plan for defensive positions near fishing zones
Population Management
- Fishing supports larger populations than hunting alone
- Reduces reliance on trade for food
- Enables survival in previously unviable locations
Crisis Management
- Fishing provides backup during crop failures
- Less affected by most environmental disasters
- Quick to establish after emergency relocations
FAQs
Q: How do I unlock fishing in RimWorld Odyssey?
Research the Fishing technology in the research tree. It costs 600 research points and requires the Odyssey DLC.
Q: What skill does fishing use?
Fishing uses the Hunting skill. Colonists with high Shooting stats typically perform better at fishing.
Q: Can I overfish a zone?
Yes, aggressive fishing depletes populations. Use zone settings to leave 25-50% of fish untouched for sustainability.
Q: What animals can fish independently?
Bears, otters, and penguins will fish automatically when near fishing zones. They don’t require specific training.
Q: Does gill rot affect colonists?
No, gill rot only kills fish. It’s harmless to colonists but can destroy your food source.
Q: Can I fish in winter?
Yes! Fishing works year-round, even through ice. It’s one of the most reliable winter food sources.
Q: What’s the best biome for fishing?
Tropical rainforests offer the highest fish diversity, but coastal areas provide unlimited populations that can’t be depleted.
Q: Do I need special equipment to fish?
No special equipment required. Just designate a fishing zone and assign colonists with the Hunting skill.
Q: Can fish be farmed or bred?
While you can’t directly breed fish, isolated ponds may naturally repopulate over time, and flooding can introduce new populations.
Q: Is fishing worth it late game?
Absolutely! Fishing remains efficient throughout the game, providing easy food while freeing colonists for other tasks.
Conclusion
Fishing in RimWorld Odyssey revolutionizes food production, offering a safe, reliable, and sustainable way to feed your colony. Whether you’re hopping between planets with your Gravship or establishing a permanent settlement, mastering these fishing mechanics will significantly improve your survival chances.
Remember to fish responsibly, manage your populations carefully, and always have backup food sources for when gill rot strikes. With the strategies I’ve shared, you’ll transform from a struggling colony barely scraping by to a thriving civilization with abundant food reserves.
The addition of fishing alongside helpful animals and new biomes makes Odyssey an essential expansion for any serious RimWorld player. So research that technology, designate those zones, and start reeling in your dinner!
Have you discovered any unique fishing strategies in your Odyssey playthrough? What’s your record catch? Share your fishing tales in the comments below!