Fishing — Fish Types

Overview

Fishing is the most consistent and calorie-efficient passive food source in DayZ, allowing survivors to sustain themselves indefinitely without hunting dangerous wildlife. By mastering this skill, you can turn any pond, stream, or coastline into a reliable supply of high-energy protein.

How It Works

Fishing requires a crafted or found rod, a hook, and bait. Once your line is cast into a body of water, the game calculates a catch based on the presence of fish in the local spawn table. You must actively monitor the rod and perform a "hook" animation when a fish bites to reel it in successfully.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Find or craft a Fishing Rod using a Long Wooden Stick and Rope, and attach a Woodenhook or Metal Hook to the end.
2. Dig up a Worm by equipping a Knife, Pickaxe, or Shovel and interacting with the dirt or grass.
3. Combine the Worm with the hook to bait your line.
4. Equip the Fishing Rod in your hands and face the water.
5. Hold the Left Mouse Button (or corresponding trigger) to cast the line into the water.
6. Wait for the rod to jerk or the line to splash; immediately press the interaction key to hook the fish.
7. Click and hold the mouse button again to reel the catch into your inventory.

Tips

• Use a Knife to gut the fish once caught; skip this, and you waste the majority of the edible meat.
• Cooked fish provides significantly more energy and hydration than raw or smoked alternatives.
• Avoid fishing in high-traffic coastal areas during daylight to minimize the risk of being sniped by bandits.
• Always check your inventory space before casting; if your hands or slots are full, you may lose the fish when you pull it onto the bank.
• Any pond or lake on the map—not just the ocean—contains fish, making inland ponds excellent hidden food sources.

Common Mistakes

• Trying to eat raw fish, which causes severe food poisoning and rapid health depletion.
• Fishing without a knife, which leaves you unable to prepare the catch for cooking.
• Leaving the rod unattended for too long; if you don't react quickly to the bite, the fish will steal the bait from the hook.
• Using hands to harvest worms without tools, which is impossible; always carry a small cutting tool.

Related Items

• Worm
• Woodenhook
• Walleyepollockfilletmeat
• Waterproofbag Green
• Waterpouch Natural

Related Guides

• Skinning
• Cooking
• Firecrafting