Fishing

Zoey with a fishing rod in the anime

Fishing is a recreation that is commonly seen in the Pokémon world.

In the games

In core series games

Fishing is a way to catch Pokémon in the water. In fact, some Pokémon can only be caught by using a fishing rod. There are three fishing rods that are given out throughout the course of most games, and each one is given out by a Fishing Brother. Generation V includes only the Super Rod, which is given out by Looker^BW or Cedric Juniper^B2W2 during the post-game. In Generation VII, the Alola games include only a Fishing Rod, given out by Lana. The Fishing Rod may additionally reel in items instead of Pokémon.

Fishing rods

The player needs a fishing rod to fish.

From Generation I to VI, there are three different fishing rods: the Old Rod, Good Rod, and Super Rod. These fishing rods can be used in almost any body of water. Each fishing rod allows the player to encounter different Pokémon. The Good Rod normally allows encountering higher level Pokémon than the Old Rod, and the Super Rod normally allows encountering higher level Pokémon than the Good Rod.

From Generation VII onward, there is only one rod, the Fishing Rod. In these games, each location only has one set of fishing encounters, rather than three. Unlike the earlier rods, the Fishing Rod can only be used in designated fishing spots.

Catching Pokémon

Generation I

In Generation I, fishing is simply a matter of standing next to water and using the rod. Sometimes, it will hook a Pokémon and start a battle. Other times, it will catch nothing. There is a random chance of either happening, so if the rod catches nothing, players can cast it out again. The player can only fish from land, not while surfing.

Generation II

In Generation II, functionally fishing works that same as in Generation I.

While there are many locations in which the player can fish, there are only 10 distinct fishing encounter tables. Many locations share fishing encounter tables with each other.

Beach

This group is mostly found on locations that resemble beaches or ocean coasts. These are the locations where it is used: Cherrygrove City, Olivine City, Cianwood City, Cerulean City, Route 34, Route 40, Route 14 and Route 19.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	55%
Staryu	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	0%	0%	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Corsola	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	10%	10%	0%
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	60%
Kingler	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
Staryu	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	0%	0%	30%
Corsola	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	30%	30%	0%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Sea

This group is mostly found on locations that are on or adjacent to the sea. These are the locations where it is used: New Bark Town, Pallet Town, Vermilion City, Cinnabar Island, Route 41, Route 27, Route 26, Route 20, Route 21.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Tentacool	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Tentacool	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Shellder	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Chinchou	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	20%
Tentacruel	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
Shellder	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	30%
Chinchou	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	40%
Lanturn	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Cave

This group is mostly found on caves or routes that contain caves. These are the locations where it is used: Dark Cave, Union Cave, Slowpoke Well, Mt. Mortar, Tohjo Falls, Silver Cave, Route 42, Route 24, Route 25, Route 9, Route 10.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Goldeen	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Goldeen	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	65%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Goldeen	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	70%
Seaking	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Pond

This group is mostly found on places containing bodies of fresh water. These are the locations where it is used: Violet City, Ecruteak City, Blackthorn City, Viridian City, Ruins of Alph, Ilex Forest, Route 30, Route 31, Route 35, Route 43, Route 44^C, Route 28, Mt. Silver (exterior), Route 22, Route 6.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	65%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	80%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Dragon's Den

This group is found inside the Dragon's Den.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	100%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	90%
Dratini	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	60%
Dratini	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	30%
Dragonair	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Oasis

This group is exclusive to the little pond on Route 45. The Pokémon in this group will always be encountered at level 10, regardless of the rank of the Fishing Rod used.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	100%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	10	90%
Dratini	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	10	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	10	60%
Dratini	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	10	30%
Dragonair	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	10	10%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Qwilfish

This group is used on the routes where Qwilfish is available: Route 32, Route 12, Route 13. Qwilfish swarms can only occur on Route 32.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Tentacool	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Tentacool	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	65%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Tentacool	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	70%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
Qwilfish	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
Swarm
Qwilfish	G		S		C		Swarm	5	15%
Qwilfish	G		S		C		Swarm	20	65%
Qwilfish	G		S		C		Swarm	40	100%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Remoraid

In Pokémon Gold and Silver, this group is used on Route 44, where Remoraid is available. In Pokémon Crystal, Remoraid are unavailable.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	65%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Poliwag	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	70%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
Remoraid	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
Swarm
Remoraid	G		S		C		Swarm	10	15%
Remoraid	G		S		C		Swarm	20	65%
Remoraid	G		S		C		Swarm	40	100%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Lake

This group is used on the Lake of Rage and Fuchsia City.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	100%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	90%
Gyarados	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	70%
Gyarados	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	30%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Whirl Islands

This group is used on the Whirl Islands.

The encounter list for this group is:

Pokémon	Games						Location	Levels	Rate
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	15%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Old Rod	10	85%
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	55%
Horsea	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	10%
Magikarp	G		S		C		Fishing Good Rod	20	35%
Krabby	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	40%
Kingler	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	20%
Horsea	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	30%
Seadra	G		S		C		Fishing Super Rod	40	10%
A colored background means that the Pokémon can be found in this location in the specified game. A white background with a colored letter means that the Pokémon cannot be found here.

Generation III

Starting with Generation III, the fishing mechanic became more complicated, as the player would have to pay attention and confirm as soon as the rod hooked a Pokémon, or else it would get away. A series of ellipses appear prior to the text "Oh! A bite!", which is when the player should press the A Button exactly once. In Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, this required a series of confirmations when using better rods, and the Pokémon will also get away if the player presses A or B at the wrong time. Generation III also introduced the ability for Pokémon Trainers to fish off the back of a surfing Pokémon, which may be required to catch Feebas. This also made fishing on Route 4 possible. Starting from Emerald, if the first Pokémon in the player's party has the ability Suction Cups or Sticky Hold, the player is more likely to get a bite.

Generation IV

The exclamation point above the walking Pokémon

In Generation IV, when the player uses the rod, an exclamation mark-like sign can pop up above the player, noting that they should push the A button to start the battle with the Pokémon they've encountered. As with Generation III, the Pokémon will go away if the player takes too long.

In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, the exclamation point will occasionally appear above the walking Pokémon instead of above the player's sprite.

Generation V

Super Rod's Key Item obtain sprite from Generation V

In Generation V, fishing mechanics are mostly unchanged from Generation IV. However, by fishing in rippling water, different Pokémon can be caught, generally being rare Pokémon or the evolved forms of the Pokémon normally found. As such, this allows certain Pokémon such as Milotic and Poliwrath to be caught in the wild, while normally they would not. Furthermore, the Old and Good Rods are no longer available, only providing the player with a single rod to fish for Pokémon with.

Generation VI

In Generation VI, fishing mechanics remain mostly unchanged, with the removal of rippling water and the addition of consecutive fishing. The Old and Good Rods return in this Generation.

Consecutive fishing describes reeling in the same Pokémon in the same area repeatedly. Hooking multiple Pokémon in a row increases the chances of hooking a Shiny Pokémon, reaching a maximum chance of approximately 1% for a streak of 20 or more Pokémon. The game increases the chances of finding a Shiny Pokémon by generating extra personality values in an attempt to find one that results in a Shiny Pokémon, with the number of attempts depending on the size of the current streak. For every Pokémon added to the streak up to 20 Pokémon, the game will make two extra attempts to find a Shiny personality value; i.e., the number of attempts at any given point in the streak is 1 + 2 * streak_size, and caps at a maximum of 41 attempts when the streak is at least 20 Pokémon long. This effect stacks with the Shiny Charm's effect.^[1]

The player is allowed to defeat, catch or simply run away from any encounters found this way without the chain breaking. The only ways to break the chain are by not reeling in any Pokémon, reeling in a different Pokémon or by exiting the area. It is possible to check the longest chain done by the player with a Fisherman in Route 16.

Fishing near rocks and other impassable spaces (not including spaces occupied by Trainers) will raise the chances of hooking Pokémon. The more sides (north, south, east, or west) around the space where the bobber lands that are blocked by such obstacles, the higher the chances of hooking a Pokémon are. A space of land may also count as an obstacle on one side of the bobber, so long as it is not the only one. If three sides are blocked, every cast will hook a Pokémon.

Generation VII

Fishing Rod's Key Item obtain sprite from Generation VII

In Generation VII, the player can no longer fish in any body of water. Instead, in certain areas, there are piles of rocks at the bottom of the water where the player can fish to find Pokémon. Sometimes when the player reels in their line, they may find an item instead of a Pokémon. In each area with fishing spots, at least one of the rock piles will have bubbles rising from it to the surface, and if the player fishes at that spot, they will be able to more commonly find Pokémon that would be rare at the other spots. As soon as the player reels in their line after they find any Pokémon or item from such spots, the bubbles will disappear until the player re-enters the area. The bubbles will also disappear if the player moves too quickly near the spot, if they move over it, or if they reel in their rod too quickly. Once the bubbles disappear, the encounter rate returns to that of other fishing spots.

In the Alola region, there are fishing spots at Seaward Cave, Kala'e Bay, Melemele Sea, Paniola Town, Brooklet Hill, Akala Outskirts, Malie Garden, Secluded Shore^SM, Seafolk Village, Poni Wilds^SM, Poni Breaker Coast, Vast Poni Canyon, Poni Meadow, Poni Gauntlet, and Routes 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 15.

The different types of fishing rods are also all replaced by a single "Fishing Rod" in Generation VII. This Fishing Rod cannot be used from the Bag, but instead, when the player approaches a fishing spot, the game prompts the player with the option to press the A button to use the Fishing Rod. Some fishing spots may be accessible from land, while others may only be accessible from water. If the player wishes to fish at a spot in the middle of water, they can only do so using the Poké Ride Lapras Paddle.

Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu! and Pokémon Let's Go Eevee!

In Pokémon Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, there is no Fishing Rod item. Instead, the player uses a technique called "Sea Skimming" which is unlocked after speaking to an NPC located in Fuchsia City, next to the Pokemon GO Complex. When Sea Skimming, the player glides across the surface of the water and will encounter various Water-type pokémon that can be caught.

Generation VIII

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the player receives a Fishing Rod at the start of the game when they equip their Bag.

Unlike prior games in the series, you cannot use the fishing rod from the Bag menu-- instead, there are rippling spots on bodies of water that can be interacted with by pressing the 'A' Button. If the player presses the 'A' Button again in time, the Pokémon will be reeled in and the battle will begin.

The Fishing Rod only comes in one model, which is obtained at the start of the game. It cannot be upgraded like in previous games of the series. The area where the player is fishing will determine what type of Pokémon is caught and the rarity percentages are determined in the same way as normal tall-grass encounters.

Fishing at the same spot repeatedly can increase chances of encountering Brilliant Pokémon and Shiny Pokémon.

Appearance

Old Rod model from Generation VI	Good Rod model from Generation VI	Super Rod model from Generation VI	Fishing Rod model from Generation VII

In spin-off games

Fishing in PokéPark: Fishing Rally DS

Pokémon Channel

Main article: Pokémon Channel

Pokémon Channel features a fishing mini-game in the Secret Cove of the Cobalt Coast area, where Water-type Pokémon can be caught by Pikachu.

PokéPark: Fishing Rally DS

Main article: PokéPark: Fishing Rally DS

PokéPark: Fishing Rally DS is a game focused on fishing for Pokémon. Points are earned for the size, rarity, and species of the caught Pokémon. Up to five Pokémon can be stored at once, and high scores could be seen at Pokémon Centers, while the game was still available for download.

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Main article: Pokémon: Magikarp Jump

Pokémon: Magikarp Jump is a game where player fishes and trains generations of Magikarp to jump as high as they can and win Magikarp jumping leagues. Magikarp are fished with Old Rods, with the player being given increasingly better variants of Old Rod (So-So, Good, Great, Rare, Pro's, and Supreme) as they progress that can fish new Magikarp patterns.

In the anime

In the main series

Iris holding a Super Rod

Numerous episodes of the anime have featured the group fishing. Rather than using bait, lures with Pokémon designs are used. In the first episode, Pokémon - I Choose You!, Misty was shown fishing shortly before Ash runs in to her. At the Safari Zone, a fishing rod is distributed with the Safari Balls, as seen in EP035. Ash and Misty both participated in a Seaking Catching Competition in Hook, Line, and Stinker.

In Whiscash and Ash, a fisherman named Sullivan believed that the secret to catching the Whiscash he was looking for, was finding the right lure. In On Olden Pond, Ash and his friends visited a lake, which had used to be a popular fishing resort. Ash, Brock, and May tried fishing from the lake, with Ash eventually hooking up a Crawdaunt. Ash attempted to battle the Crawdaunt with his Corphish, but the Ruffian Pokémon was soon defeated by its evolved form, which then proceeded to destroy the group's loaned fishing rods. It was later revealed that the Crawdaunt belonged to a man named Mr. Saridakis, who had once tried to purchase the lake in order to build an amusement park over it, but Tiffany, the owner of the lake, had refused to sell it. As a result, he had unleashed his Crawdaunt to the lake to scare off the people who came to fish there. After being saved from drowning by a Dragonair living in the lake, Mr. Saridakis decided to cancel his plans. Misty has a collection of lures, including a special lure based on herself that she believes is the best. She sent it to Ash as a gift in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing. Ash used this lure in Buizel Your Way Out of This to try to catch a powerful Buizel.

Cilan holding a fishing rod

In Facing Fear with Eyes Wide Open!, Cilan used his fishing skills to catch a Stunfisk that was preventing Ash and Oshawott from retrieving plants at the bottom of a lake to cure their poisoned Pokémon. Like others before him, Cilan uses a fishing lure based on himself. In A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!, Cilan showed his fishing skills again by catching a Basculin in Team Rocket's fake fishing competition. In BWS01, Cilan was seen using his fishing rod once again, this time hooking up a wild Gyarados. Later in the episode, he used his rod in an attempt to pull Gyarados back to its home lake, but was disturbed by Amer and his robotic Qwilfish. A Super Rod debuted in Climbing the Tower of Success! as the item Iris had to find for the Wishing Bell Festival scavenger hunt. In Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!, Cilan mentioned that Mr. Briney from Dewford Town was going to host the Old Rod Fishing Rally soon, prompting him to depart for Johto in order to participate in the said competition.

In Going for the Gold!, Ash and his friends met a fisherman named Rodman, who was trying to fish up a Shiny Magikarp with a Magikarp-shaped lure. Ash, Serena, and Clemont decided to try fishing too, with Ash giving the inexperienced Serena instructions of how to do it correctly. While fishing, Serena hooked up a Corsola, which she tried to battle with her Fennekin, but it simply hid itself behind Serena when Corsola tried to use Water Gun on it, causing the Coral Pokémon to get away. Afterwards, Rodman let Ash and his friends keep the fishing rods he had loaned them. The same rods reappeared in An Undersea Place to Call Home!, where Ash used one of them to hook up a Skrelp. A fishing competition was a part of the Pokémon Summer Camp, as shown in Day Three Blockbusters!. The Pokémon hooked up during the competition included Ash's Alomomola, Serena's Staryu, Clemont's Corphish, Tierno's Magikarp, Shauna's Tentacool, and Trevor's Wailord. Bonnie also participated the competition, but her possible catch wasn't shown.

In XYS06, Clemont and Bonnie participated in a fishing competition held in Lumiose City. Clemont intended to use his high-tech fishing rod to win, but Cilan, also taking part in the competition, commented him on his way of approach to fishing. With Cilan's advice, Bonnie managed to reel in a Clawitzer, which, due to it then proceeding to attack them, was driven away by Cilan's Stunfisk, by which time the competition already ended. Later in the episode, Clemont and Cilan combined Clemont's rod and Cilan's fishing skills to save Bonnie from a runaway subway cart.

In Yo, Ho, Ho! Go, Popplio!, Professor Kukui took the Pokémon School class on a fishing lesson, which he gave Lana to lead. Lana, being the most skilled fisher of the group, managed to fish up many different Water Pokémon, while Ash and Kiawe were having trouble finding anything at all, and Sophocles was too busy programming his high-tech rod to even try. Lillie, however, managed to surprise everyone by hooking up a Milotic, but her line snapped before she could reel the Tender Pokémon in, causing it to get away.

Team Rocket was seen fishing in The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair! while attempting to catch new Alolan Pokémon, but to no avail. Jessie used a lure based on Ekans, James's based on Koffing, and Meowth's based on himself.

Fishing was a central plot element in Big Sky, Small Fry!, where both Ash and Lana as well as Team Rocket tried to fish up the Totem Pokémon of Brooklet Hill. While Team Rocket was taken away by Bewear in the middle of their fishing, Lana managed to hook up the Totem Pokémon, a School Form Wishiwashi, almost immediately, and proceeded to battle it. She was eventually able to defeat the Totem Pokémon, receiving a Waterium Z as a reward.

Fishing once again played a notable role in The One That Didn't Get Away!. While Ash's classmates were fishing on a reef and managed to reel in Pokémon such as Bruxish, Luvdisc, Pyukumuku, and Cloyster, Ash and Lana came across a poisoned Kyogre chased by a hunter. Lana managed to use her fishing skills to feed Kyogre some Antidote and subsequently to help calm down its rage.

In JN024, Ash and Goh joined a group of fishers at the Resort Area in order to find a mysterious Pokémon said to hide in a local lake. In the process, Goh caught himself a Goldeen and a Magikarp he and Ash, respectively, reeled in. They eventually managed to also reel in the mysterious Pokémon, which turned out to be a giant Magikarp, which Goh also succeeded in catching.

In Pokémon Origins

Red fishing with a Super Rod

Fishing was featured a couple of times during Pokémon Origins.

Red obtained an Old Rod from the Vermilion Fishing Guru in File 2: Cubone, and a Super Rod from the Silence Bridge Fishing Guru in File 3: Giovanni. Soon after obtaining the latter, he was seen using it to capture himself a Psyduck.

Red was also seen fishing with the Super Rod in File 4: Charizard, although he did so merely to get some time to think about the mysterious Pokémon seen in Cerulean Cave.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga

The Old and Super Rods have appeared in Pokémon Pocket Monsters.

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• 

  Old Rod

• 

  Super Rod

Artwork

Old Rod	Good Rod	Super Rod

Trivia

• In Generation I, it is possible to fish in the bottom of the statues in Gyms (except for the Saffron and Cinnabar Gyms) or any room of the Elite Four at the Indigo Plateau. However, when using the Super Rod in any Gym or Elite Four room other than Cerulean Gym or Lorelei's room, the game will say "Looks like there's nothing here."
• In Generation I, the only Pokémon that can be fished out by the Old Rod is Magikarp, all of which would be level 5.
• The Super Rod is the only fishing rod that is obtainable in Generation V. The Old and Good Rods, while still existent in the game's programming, cannot be obtained without hacking and cannot be used; if hacked in, they can be held by a Pokémon unlike legitimate Key Items.

References

This item article is part of Project ItemDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all items.