The 99 Nights in the Forest Fishing Update turns fishing into a core progression path, changing how you gather resources, unlock rewards, and discover rare items. This guide explains the system, where to find every known fish and hidden loot, and how to optimize catches using the new rod tiers and locations.
What is the 99 Nights in the Forest Fishing Update?
The update introduces a full fishing system that affects resource flow, event goals, and survival. Progression hinges on three Fishing Rod tiers that determine speed and rare catch chances:
Old Rod: the starter, slower but ideal for your first catches.
Good Rod: unlocks after frequent fishing and reels in faster.
Strong Rod: the final upgrade with the quickest pulls and the best odds for rare fish.
Fishing now ties directly to exploration. Certain pools and biomes have unique species or items, and some fish only appear under specific weather. The system also feeds other activities: you can cook fish for survival, fill the Fishing Hut index for rewards, and leverage special spots for rapid leveling.
How to Get All Fish and Hidden Loot in the 99 Nights in the Forest Fishing Update
Start by upgrading from Old Rod to Good Rod as soon as possible, then push to Strong Rod for the fastest animations and higher rare rates. Use Hot Spots whenever you see them; they provide instant catches and are the quickest way to level rods.
Work from safe bases and expand outward:
Firecamp Lv 1–4: target clown fish with the Old Rod to build early XP.
Firecamp Lv 5: shift to salmon, with a chance at shark.
Firecamp Lv 6: prioritize shark, jellyfish, swordfish, and the ultra-rare boot.
Venture into cold regions for biome-locked species. Ice Fishing Ponds in snowy areas enable catches like Char, and weather matters: some fish appear only in snow or during blizzards. The 6th and 7th fish are found in frozen biome houses, so plan cold-weather runs when you are stocked on food and heat.
Keep an eye on convenience options. Campfire Fishing lets you fish from your base if a nearby pool spawns; combine this with the Fisherman casting range to cover more water without leaving safety. For survival value, cook your fish and store meals, which is especially useful if you play Pyromaniac. As you identify species, complete the Fishing Hut index to claim diamond rewards.
Known fish and where to focus
Mackerel – Clown Fish: first targets with Old Rod, common at Firecamp Lv 1–4.
Salmon: needs better timing, shows up in higher-level pools and icy conditions.
Swordfish: strong XP returns, best with Good Rod or higher.
Shark: a frequent event target; cooking restores strong hunger bars.
Char: appears in snowy biomes during snowstorms, higher difficulty.
Eel: rare, lives in specific ponds, good for filling the index.
Jellyfish: glows; look in deeper water or at night.
One species pending data: the index lists a slot with details not yet available.
Hidden loot and rare pulls
Beyond fish, the update adds valuable non-fish outcomes. Scrap is a steady crafting resource and revolver ammo is a rare, high-value find. The boot is a very rare non-fish catch that also appears as the 9th index entry, marking outliers in your log.
Practical route to completion
Farm clown fish at early Firecamps to rush Good Rod.
Hunt salmon and swordfish while moving between Lv 5–6 pools and Hot Spots.
Use Strong Rod at Lv 6 Firecamp for shark and jellyfish, with chances at the boot.
Schedule cold runs to Ice Fishing Ponds and frozen biome houses for Char, Eel, and the two frozen-area species.
Log every new species in the Fishing Hut and claim diamonds once the index is complete.
Final Thoughts
The 99 Nights in the Forest Fishing Update is both a progression system and a discovery loop. Rod tiers shape your speed and odds, biomes gate specific species, and weather pushes you to time your trips.
If your goal is 99 Nights in the Forest all fish and hidden loot, focus on Hot Spots for fast upgrades, rotate between Firecamp levels for targeted species, and reserve cold-weather expeditions for Char, Eel, and frozen-house finds. Close the loop by finishing the Fishing Hut index for diamonds, keeping your survival kit stocked, and using base-adjacent pools for safe, consistent gains.