The Genshin Impact Catch Guide: How to Catch Fish and Critters

How to Catch Fish and Critters in Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact fishing is one of the most relaxing ways to explore Teyvat, and catching every fish and creature helps complete your in-game catalog and earn achievements. This guide covers how to fish, where to find rare fish, the best bait and lures, and how to catch critters for achievements like Angler or Wildlife Photographer. Whether you are preparing for an aquarium showcase or chasing achievements, this evergreen reference explains the core systems that remain stable across patches.

Core Fishing Mechanics

Rod Types and When to Use Them

In Genshin Impact, you use different rods depending on the fish you want to catch. The Old Fishing Rod is available early, but it has limited range and lure types. The Fishing Spear is better for shallow ponds and surface fish, while the delicate Gold-Hemmed Black Rod unlocks better lures and longer casts. Equip the rod from your inventory and approach fishable water. Look for shadows moving near floating bobbers or ripples in the water, which indicate biteable fish.

To cast, tap the fishing button to aim and release at the right moment. Timing affects bite chance and lure durability. The better your rod and lure, the more fish species you can target and the higher your bite success will be. Rods do not break or degrade, but lure durability does decrease with each cast, so choose the right lure for the fish you want.

How to Unlock the Fishing Rod

You obtain the Old Fishing Rod during the World Quest Anglers on Strike, located in Liyue Harbor near the Dawn Winery overlook. Speak to the fishermen by the pier to trigger the quest chain. Once completed, the rod is permanently added to your inventory. There is no level or stat prerequisite besides being in the open world, so you can fish as soon as the quest becomes available around Adventure Rank 8–10 for most players.

Finding Fish: Locations and Spots

Fish appear in rivers, lakes, ponds, and coastal waters. Each map has distinct fish species tied to region and altitude. In Liyue, you will find carp and goldfish in harbor ponds, while Qingce Village streams host smaller river fish. In Mondstadt, the lakes south of the city and the eastern waterways near Springvale are productive. In Inazuma, coastal waters off the Narukami Island and Watatsumi Island shores hold deeper water species. For Liyue fishing spots, players often visit the pond northwest of the Taishakuten-Sando and the canal behind the Qixinglian Plaza; in Mondstadt, try the lake south of the Cathedral and the canal beside Angel’s Share; Inazuma anglers favor the waters around the Grand Narukami Shrine and the beach northeast of the lightning barrier. Seasonal changes do not alter fish locations, but weather and time of day can affect which species appear more frequently.

Regional Fish Catalog Quick Reference

Certain fish are region-locked or elevation-locked, which helps narrow where to search. Use this summary to prioritize your exploration:

• Mondstadt region river fish: Common in northern and western river networks.
• Liyue river and pond fish: Higher variety in canal systems and reservoir edges.
• Inazuma coastal fish: Best caught along the outer shore and island perimeters.
• Sumeru jungle stream species: Found in shaded, vegetated waterways.
• Fontaine harbor and canal species: Available after accessing Fontaine, at lower altitudes near the coast.

Bait, Lures, and Attraction Methods

Bait and lures determine which fish will bite. Common lures include Brightfin, Hydrofin, and Primfin variants, each attracting different rarity tiers. You craft lures at the Furnace using materials like Crystal Chunks, Wavecrest, and Rukkhashava Mushrooms. Higher-tier lures require better refinement materials and increase your ability to catch rare fish. Some players also use food items like Satisfying Salad to temporarily attract nearby fish to a location, which can be helpful for crowd control or photography. Unlike some games, in Genshin Impact you do not need to hold live bait or track a scent meter; using the correct lure matching the fish’s preference is sufficient.

Step-by-Step: How to Catch Fish

Approach a fishable body of water and align your rod so that the lure arc intersects the fish shadow. Hold the cast button to aim, then release to cast. Watch the bobber; when it dips or the line tightens, press the interaction button to reel in. Reel timing is forgiving for common fish but becomes more precise for rare species. Avoid moving your character while reeling, as that can break the line. If the lure breaks, you will need to craft or pick up another. Successful casts consume lure durability, so manage your inventory during long sessions. For achievement tracking, most fish can be caught from any region once you have the appropriate lure and rod.

Step-by-Step: How to Catch Critters

Critter catching serves achievements like Wildlife Photographer and supports the Adventurer’s Handbook completion. Use a Bug Net to catch butterflies, frogs, fireflies, and more. Approach slowly to avoid scaring them; some creatures flee when you get too close. Equip the Bug Net and press the interaction button when prompted to catch the critter. Critters are often found in grass, flowers, rocks, and trees depending on the species. Time-based and weather-based spawn rules exist: for example, certain butterflies prefer the evening, while frogs often appear after rain. Refer to in-game hints or community lists for exact spawn locations and times to optimize your hunt.