Rods, bait, and the senior angler rank
Three rod tiers unlock through the Angler profession: Bamboo Rod (starter), Fiberglass Rod (rank 2), and Iridium Rod (rank 4). Bait unlocks at rank 1; the Fishing Net blueprint unlocks at Senior Angler rank. Bait forces a fish shadow to appear — eight bait spawns eight fish — so it is the most reliable way to clear a fishless lake.
Best fish to sell
Eight fish regularly sell for 100+ gold each: Four-Eyed Butterfly Fish, Spikefoot, Yellowtail Damsel, Emperor Angelfish, Tiger Puffer, Tuna, Betta, and Tilapia. Emperor Angelfish and Tiger Puffer are the rarest but pay the highest. Sell them at the Marston merchant boat (every three in-game days) for a 200% markup.
Fishing map and where to fish
Both lakes and oceans contain profitable fish. The south beach is reliable for Yellowtail Damsel and Spikefoot; the inland lake near your homestead is good for Tilapia and Betta. Tiger Puffer prefers the deeper ocean tiles — look for the larger shadow ripples. The official Sunset Lighthouse screenshot is the southernmost fishing zone on the map.
Fish ponds, oxygen, and King Fish
Build a Fish Pond on your homestead to farm fish passively. Each pond has an oxygen meter — keep it topped up with seaweed and the pond produces Roe daily. King Fish are rare trophy catches that unlock cosmetics and a permanent +5% sell-price bonus once all four are registered.
Catching 2 King Fish in one session
Use the jet ski to reach the offshore ocean tiles, equip the Iridium Rod with the best bait, and clear each tile by casting into the largest shadow ripple. Most King Fish spawn in 30-minute real-time windows tied to in-game weather, so check the bulletin-board weather hint each morning before heading out.