Yes, you can get a Mending book from fishing in Minecraft, but it is a low-probability outcome. Mending is an enchantment that uses experience orbs to repair items, and it is available only as a treasure enchantment, meaning it cannot be obtained from an enchanting table. In Java Edition, the base chance of catching a Mending book while fishing is about 0.8 percent (roughly 1 in 125) without any bonuses; in Bedrock Edition, the odds are comparable but can be influenced by game difficulty and fishing conditions. This article explains how fishing mechanics affect your chances, how to improve them, and what to expect when farming Mending by fishing.
How fishing enchanted books works in Minecraft
When you fish, each cast has a chance to produce a catch that is either a junk item, a common item, or a treasure item. Enchanted books are part of the treasure pool, and Mending is one of several powerful treasure enchantments that can appear. Because treasure results are weighted separately from common catches, you are not guaranteed an enchanted book on every successful bite, and the specific enchantment is chosen randomly from the allowed pool for that edition. Understanding this randomness is key to setting realistic expectations when you aim to obtain a Mending book by fishing.
Key factors that influence your odds
Your effective fishing level, bonuses from your rod, and environmental advantages can raise the number of treasure outcomes, including Mending books. Lure and Luck of the Sea directly affect both the speed of bites and the quality of treasure drops. The game samples several hidden bonuses when deciding whether the catch is junk, treasure, or a fish, and which treasure enchantment applies. Below are the most impactful factors you can control.
- Lure enchantment level: each level reduces junk and slightly increases treasure frequency.
- Luck of the Sea enchantment level: mainly increases treasure quantity, slightly reshuffles odds among treasure options.
- Using a fishing rod with Unbreaking and Mending (via an anvil combo) to sustain long sessions.
- Fishing in biomes and at times that improve bite rates, such as rain and within 1 chunk of flowing water.
Estimated odds and practical expectations
Without any enchantments, your chance of getting any specific treasure enchantment is low. With Lure III and Luck of the Sea III, the overall treasure rate can roughly double or triple in favorable setups, but the distribution among all treasure options remains random. Below is a concise overview of the key variables that affect outcomes when you fish for Mending books.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Base treasure chance (fishing) | Approximately 5–6% per cast in Java Edition | Verified game code and community testing |
| Mending within treasure pool (Java) | About 0.8% per cast before enchantment weight adjustments | Empirical tests and version patch notes |
| Mending within treasure pool (Bedrock) | Comparably low, influenced by edition-specific loot tables | Platform-specific tests and documentation |
| Effect of Lure III + Luck of the Sea III | Treasure frequency increases; relative odds among treasures remain flat | In-game testing and developer commentary |
| Realistic time to obtain one Mending book | Hundreds of casts are typical; efficiency methods reduce time | Aggregated player data and speedrun records |
How to improve your chances of getting Mending by fishing
Although the core odds are governed by loot tables, you can raise your efficiency and lower the average number of casts required. Optimizing your rod, using in-game mechanics like AFK fish spots, and applying practical routines can make a meaningful difference. Below are proven, low-complexity strategies you can adopt immediately.
Gear and setup optimizations
Use a rod with Lure III and Luck of the Sea III to maximize treasure outcomes per hour. Apply Mending and Unbreaking on the rod itself via an anvil so you can fish indefinitely without repairing. Fish in the rain or use an AFK fish design that keeps you in 1×1 water with a solid block above; these conditions increase bite rates and stabilize results over long sessions.
AFK fishing mechanics and limitations
AFK fishing relies on bobber bubbles, open inventory windows, and hopper collection to automate catches. Note that recent versions have introduced stricter rules around auto-clickers and require manual interaction to prevent fully automatic fishing. For legitimate long-term collection, combine semi-AFK positioning with periodic manual casts to stay compliant with version-specific rules.
Alternative methods to obtain Mending
Fishing is not the only source of Mending. Trading with librarians can offer Mending as part of their enchanted book options once you advance their tiers. Raid loot, chests in various structures, and mob drops in some contexts provide additional avenues, though their availability depends on world generation and difficulty. Comparing these alternatives helps you choose the most time-efficient approach for your goals.
Mending mechanics and value in gameplay
Mending consumes experience orbs to repair equipped tools, armor, and weapons, effectively making those items last forever if you manage your XP pools wisely. It pairs exceptionally with Unbreaking to create items that never degrade from use. Because it is a treasure enchantment, you cannot combine Mending using an enchanting table or anvil with the same item, and conflicting properties like Protection and Mending cannot coexist on the same armor slot. These constraints shape how you prioritize Mending in your builds.
Strategic use of Mending items
Players often reserve Mending for high-value gear such as diamond or netherite tools, longbows, and armor sets used in demanding activities like raids, spawner farming, or exploration. Its sustainability reduces downtime spent repairing, which can be critical in survival-mode economies. When obtained by fishing or other means, treat Mending as a long-term efficiency investment rather than a short-term novelty.
Fishing-specific tips for farming Mending books
To accumulate Mending books efficiently, create a dedicated fishing setup with optimized rod, ideal location, and collection systems. Use a name-tag on your rod to keep your Lure and Luck of the Sea applied through anvil repairs, and employ water source blocks beneath a soul sand bubble column for rapid item retrieval. Pair this with a librarian villager trade backup so you can convert excess books or gain targeted enchantments when fishing proves slow.
Common misconceptions about fishing for Mending
There is no special fishing rod or bobber item that guarantees Mending; the enchantment is selected from the treasure loot table at random. Difficulty setting does not influence treasure chances in Java Edition, and Luck of the Sea does not guarantee Mending, but it does increase the overall treasure frequency. Setting up realistic expectations helps you stay efficient and avoid burnout while farming.