When fishing in Twilight Princess, distinguish between Link’s own float rod and bait fishing from the canoe. For the tomcat in Ordon and the Reekfish you need the float rod. Hena’s canoe uses other baits and runs its own record and aquarium system.
At the fishing pond you can get an Empty Bottle and a Piece of Heart. Later, the coral earring opens the hunt for the Reekfish; the frog bait comes from the marble slalom. Collect these rewards on appropriate visits, rather than treating the Fishing Pond and Catch Log as the same progression.
Game version: The route and screenshots follow the GameCube version. The normal mode of Twilight Princess HD has the same orientation; on Wii and in HD Hero Mode, left/right and east/west are swapped. HD deviations are at the affected step.
Getting the fishing rod – already in the tutorial by Ordon
The fishing rod is one of the first items Link receives in Ordon. During the tutorial you meet the pregnant Uli, who has lost her wicker basket. The basket is with a monkey across the river. With the help of the falcon you get him back and then bring him to Uli. As a thank you, she gives you the Fishing Rod, which her son Colin built especially for Link. Unlike some older Zelda games, it is not just a mini-game tool: Link keeps it for the entire rest of the adventure and can equip it at any time via the inventory.
Immediately afterwards, the fishing rod is needed for the main plot. Sera’s hungry cat is waiting by the water at the small jetty in Ordon. First catch a greengill there and then a second fish. The cat grabs the second catch and runs back to Sera’s shop. At the same time, the catch book is unlocked and the first small fishing task of the game is completed.
Only required twice: For the main plot you actually only have to fish twice in Twilight Princess: at the beginning in Ordon for Sera’s cat and later at Zora’s Domain a Reekfish, the smell of which shows Wolf-Link the way to the Snowpeak Ruins. Everything else related to fishing is optional.
Two ways to fish: float fishing and bait fishing
Twilight Princess has two distinctly different fishing methods. With Link’s own rod you do the so-called float fishing. You can use this fishing rod anywhere where there are actually fish swimming in the water – for example in Ordon, at Zora’s Domain, at the upper reaches of the Zora River, in various caves, and even in some unusual places within the Lakebed Temple. The fish you catch in this way will be registered in the catch book.
The second variant is the bait fishing. It is only available at Hena’s fishing pond. There you rent a special fishing rod and canoe and use various artificial baits instead of a simple float. These catches do not appear in the normal catch book. Instead, Hena keeps her own size records and puts the largest specimens of different fish species in her aquarium. This is also exactly where the adult Hyrule goby is located.
| Fishing type | Where? | Special feature |
|---|---|---|
| Float fishing | Almost everywhere with visible fish | Catches are registered in the catch book |
| bait fishing | Only Hena’s Fishing Pond | canoe, lures, size records and aquarium |
This is how normal fishing works
Equip Left’s fishing rod and stand as close as possible to a spot where you can actually see fish in the water. Cast the line and then watch the pose carefully. A slight wobble does not necessarily mean that the fish has really bitten. Wait until the pose is significantly lowered and only then strike. In GameCube and Twilight Princess HD, this is done using the corresponding fishing controls or by pulling back and holding; on Wii, you pull the Wii remote up sharply and then hold it in this position.
If the timing was correct, the message “FISH ON!” appears.. With normal float fishing, the rest is comparatively easy: hold the rod or the corresponding input back until Link pulls the fish out of the water. One of the most common beginner mistakes is to strike at the first slight twitch of the pose. Better wait until it dips significantly. This timing is particularly important with Reekfish.
Fishing tip: With the normal fishing rod you don’t have to carry out a complicated drill. The crucial moment is striking. As soon as “FISH ON!” appears, you simply continue to hold the fishing position until the catch is on land.
Bee larvae and earthworms as bait
Link’s normal fishing rod can be improved with real bait. Bee Larva and earthworms are suitable for this. Both must first be stored in an empty bottle and can then be attached to the fishing rod. They increase the fish’s willingness to bite and are particularly practical if you are specifically looking for larger specimens for your catch book.
You can find bee larvae in bee nests. Shoot or knock down a nest and, if necessary, wait a moment until the angry bees have left. You can then collect the larvae with a bottle. There is also a bees’ nest behind the hut right next to Hena’s fishing pond. You can find earthworms at various grave sites. The fishing pond itself is particularly convenient: near the small bridge or the sign you can transform into Wolf-Link and dig for worms with your instinct activated.
The coral earring – the most important fishing improvement
Later in the game, the normal fishing rod receives an important upgrade. On the way to Snowpeak Ruins, Link shows Prince Ralis Ashei’s drawing. The Zora Prince recognizes the fish depicted on it and gives Link his Coral Earring. The piece of jewelry is automatically attached to the fishing rod as a new hook. This means that fish bite more readily, but above all the coral is absolutely necessary to catch the rare Reekfish.
The coral earring also plays a role in the hidden sinking bait at Hena’s fishing pond. If you really want to uncover all the fishing secrets, you should only try to find this forbidden bait after receiving the earring.
The catch book – what really counts?
After Link has caught his first fish with the normal fishing rod, the catch book appears in the collection menu. For each regular fish species, it shows how many specimens Link has already caught and how big his previous record catch was. However, the decisive factor is the fishing method: only fish caught with Link’s own float rod are recorded in the catch book. Fish that you catch while bait fishing from Hena’s canoe do not count towards this book.
Two unusual species from the Lakebed Temple are also an exception. Although bonefish and bombfish can actually catch Link’s hooks, they are considered forbidden catches and therefore do not receive an entry. There’s even a special reward for the bomb fish: Link can put it in his bomb bag as a submersible bomb if there’s still room in it.
| Fish | catch book? |
|---|---|
| Greengill | Yes |
| Hyrule Bass | Yes |
| Hylian Pike | Yes |
| Ordon Catfish | Yes |
| Hylian Loach | Yes, when caught with float rod |
| Reekfish | Yes |
| Bone fish | No |
| Bombfish | No |
Find Hena’s fishing pond
The large Hena fishing pond is located north of the headwaters of the Zora River in Lanayru Province. From the upper reaches of the river, follow the path north and enter the door in the rock face. Behind it lies its own large lake with Hena’s hut, small bridges, rock formations, water lilies and numerous species of fish. You can fish on the shore for free at any time with your regular fishing rod. However, if you want to use the special bait fishing rod and go out on the lake in a canoe, you have to rent the equipment from Hena.
A normal round of Bait Fishing costs 20 Rupees and has no time limit. For a higher price you can take Hena with you as a companion. She gives information about fish species and fishing spots during the trip. Especially on your first visit, it is still worth exploring the pond thoroughly on foot, because in addition to the actual fish, there are also an Empty Bottle, worms, bee larvae and the marble slalom mini-game hidden here.
The seasons at the fishing pond
Hena’s fishing pond has a special feature not found anywhere else in Twilight Princess: four seasons. Every time you leave and then re-enter the fishing pond, the environment changes to the next season. The order is spring, summer, autumn and winter before the cycle begins again. Not only is the landscape changing, but also the behavior and occurrence of the fish.
This is particularly important with the Hyrule goby. The large legendary specimen only stays in the summer near the water lilies in the northern part of the fishing pond. If you are specifically looking for this fish, you leave and re-enter the fishing pond until the summer environment appears.
Bait fishing from a canoe – this is how it works
The mechanics of bait fishing are considerably more demanding than normal float fishing. First, paddle the canoe to a spot where you can see a larger fish and choose the right bait. Throw it slightly in front of the fish and then move it in a steady rhythm. Movements that are too hectic appear unnatural, while a completely stationary bait does not interest many fish. Therefore, watch the camera and the fish itself. If it turns to the bait and follows it, you should reduce the movement slightly and wait for the bite.
As soon as the fish grabs hold, hit the hook and start retrieving. When fishing with bait, the fish can defend itself much more strongly than when fishing with floats. Keep the line under tension, but react to jumps from the fish to avoid pulling out the hook. If the catch is close enough to the canoe, the landing action appears. Hena then measures the animal and compares it with your previous record.
All baits at the fishing pond
When bait fishing, there are initially three different standard baits available. Two more baits have to be unlocked or found. Each has a slightly different movement pattern and is better suited to certain types of fish. However, there is no mandatory rock-paper-scissors system: with patience, many species can be caught using several different baits.
| bait | Special feature | Particularly suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Swimmer Lure | Universal standard bait with side movement | Hyrule bass and general fishing |
| Popper Lure | Creates noise and attracts fish from deeper water | Ordon Catfish |
| Spinner Lure | Creates strong vibrations and attracts shy fish | Hylian Pike |
| Frog Lure | Reward from the marble slalom | Big fish and Hyrule goby |
| Sinking Lure | Forbidden bait that sinks to the bottom | Especially Hyrule Goby |
Swimmer Lure – the all-rounder
The Swimmer Lure is the most uncomplicated bait and is ideal for getting to know bait fishing. Through consistent movements it glides back and forth in the water and attracts numerous different fish. Hyrule bass in particular react reliably to him. If you initially just want to catch the three normal fish species for sinking bait, the Swimmer Lure is a good starting point.
rattle Swimmer Lure – for deeper fish
The Popper Lure produces noticeable noises on or below the water surface and can therefore lure fish upwards from deeper water. Ordon catfish in particular react well to this. Look for larger, elongated fish in the deeper areas of the fishing pond and don’t move the bait too quickly. Catfish in particular sometimes need a little longer before they really take hold.
spinner – ideal for Hylia pike
The Spinner Lure generates strong vibrations and noise through its movement. This means it appeals to particularly curious or shy fish. For a targeted catch of Hylia pike, it is usually the best choice. Hylia pike prefer to stay in the more northerly areas of the fishing pond and can be easily recognized by their long, slender body shape.
Frog Bait – Marble Slalom up to Level 1-8
The Frog Lure is not available from the start. Go into Hena’s hut and examine the small marble game known internationally as Rollgoal. You have to guide a ball over a narrow distance to the target by carefully tilting it without it falling off the board. Each attempt costs 5 Rupees. If you complete the first eight different routes you will be finished Levels 1-8, Hena gives you the frog bait as a special reward.
So you don’t have to master all later difficulty levels up to 8-8 to get the bait. These additional 56 challenges are intended solely for players who want to completely complete Marble Slalom. The frog bait itself is much more difficult to use than wobblers or spinners. If a fish snaps at it, you shouldn’t strike immediately. Let him hold the frog for a moment and only then set the hook. The bait is particularly important for the legendary Hyrule goby.
sinking bait – the forbidden secret bait
The Sinking Lure is the strongest and most secret lure in the fishing pond. Unlike regular baits, it does not stay on the surface of the water but sinks into deeper areas. This means it also attracts fish that hardly react to normal artificial bait. However, Hena believes this method is unfair and has expressly banned sinking bait from the fishing pond.
Before the bait can appear, you should have caught at least one Hyrule Bass, one Hylia Pike and one Ordon Catfish while bait fishing and also received the Coral Earring. Then you end the canoe trip and use Link’s normal fishing rod on the bank. In the GameCube version or in HD normal mode, go to the higher eastern bank area or the westernmost section of the south bank. In Wii and HD Hero Mode the position is mirrored. Cast the fishing rod there repeatedly until Link pulls the sinking bait out of the water instead of a fish.
If you want to use it, you should fish without Hena accompanying you. She recognizes the illegal bait immediately and takes it from you as soon as she catches you with it. The sinking bait is particularly effective against the large Hyrule goby and is the simplest, although expressly “forbidden”, fishing method.
Empty Bottle at the fishing pond
One of the four empty bottles from Twilight Princess can actually be pulled out of the water with a fishing rod. On the bank of the fishing pond, go to the small bridge with the sign against polluting the water. In the GameCube version and in HD normal mode, the small, demarcated pool is on the eastern side, mirrored accordingly in Wii and HD hero mode.
Don’t use Hena’s bait fishing rod here, but rather Link’s normal floating fishing rod. Throw them into the small separated water area. Link usually pulls a Empty Bottle ashore after just a few attempts. It is one of the game’s four permanently collectible bottles and is a must-have on a 100% route.
Piece of Heart at the fishing pond
One of the 45 Pieces of Heart is also located directly at the fishing pond. Rent a canoe from Hena for 20 Rupees and go to the middle area of the lake. A Piece of Heart is clearly visible on an elevated rock formation. Position the canoe so that you have a clear view of it, take out the bait rod and throw the hook directly onto the Piece of Heart. If you hit it right, you can reel it in like a particularly unusual “fish”.
The Piece of Heart can also be accessed later with other items, but the fishing method is already possible on the first visit and fits perfectly into our 100% route. You can use it to collect the bottle, the Piece of Heart and several new types of fish in a single visit to the fishing pond.
Hena’s aquarium
Inside Hena’s hut there is a large aquarium. Initially there are only green gills in it. If you catch a Hyrule perch, Hylia pike, Ordon catfish or a Hyrule goby while bait fishing , Hena can display your largest specimen in this aquarium. If you later catch a larger fish of the same species, it will replace the previous record. These aquarium fish are completely independent of the catch book, which only documents your float fishing catches.
If you really want to complete Twilight Princess down to the smallest detail, you can pursue two different record hunts: the largest possible specimens for the catch book in normal Hyrule and the largest possible bait catches for Hena’s aquarium. However, there is no in-game 100% display for this.
All regular fish types in Twilight Princess
Six regular fish species can be recorded in Link’s catch book. Some of them are widespread almost everywhere, while Reekfish and Hyrule goby only appear under certain conditions. In addition, bonyfish and bombfish exist as special, unregistered catches.
Greengill
The Greengill is the most common and easiest fish in Twilight Princess. You can find them in numerous lakes, rivers, and small bodies of water throughout Hyrule. A particularly large number live in the waters of Ordon. This is exactly where you will learn how to fish in the tutorial. Stand on the small jetty near Sera’s cat and cast your new fishing rod. After you catch two greengills, the cat grabs the second fish and returns with it to the village shop.
Greengills are ideal for practicing pose mechanics because they bite quickly and have hardly any special requirements. There have also been several specimens in Hena’s aquarium since the beginning, although the greengills there are not exhibited as personal record catches like the larger baitfish.
Hyrule Bass
The Hyrule Bass is also one of the more common species and lives in several bodies of water Hyrule’s as well as in large numbers at Hena’s fishing pond. There it is the ideal fish if you are trying out bait fishing for the first time. The normal Swimmer Lure works excellently. Larger bass also respond well to the frog bait once you unlock it.
For the hidden sinking lure you must catch at least one Hyrule bass while bait fishing. If you are also missing an entry in the normal catch book, you can use Link’s own float rod from the bank. The small area near Hena’s fishing pond and other lakes in Hyrule offer enough specimens for this.
Hylian Loach
The Hylian Loach is the legendary fish from Twilight Princess. Small or young specimens can be caught in various hidden bodies of water with a normal float rod and thus registered in the catch book. A particularly practical location is at the Kakariko Cemetery or in the hidden area at Zora Tomb. There you can land a young specimen with Link’s own fishing rod.
The real challenge, however, is the large Hyrule goby near Hena. It only appears during summer in the northern section of the fishing pond near the large lily pads. Leave the pond and re-enter it until summer arrives. Then paddle to the northern bay. The best legal method is frog baiting. After grabbing the bait, let the fish work on the bait for a short moment before you strike. Alternatively, the forbidden sinking bait works much easier. If you successfully catch the large goby with the bait fishing rod, it will become one of the most prestigious entries in Hena’s aquarium.
Hylian Pike
The Hylian Pike has a long, slim body and therefore quickly stands out among the more compact perches. You can find it, among other places, in the upper reaches of the Zora River and particularly reliably in the northern areas of Hena’s fishing pond. If you want to catch it from a canoe, you should use the Spinner Lure. Its vibrations and noises reliably attract the rather shy pike.
The Hylia pike is also one of the three species of fish that you have to catch when bait fishing before the sinking bait becomes available. For a complete catch book entry, however, you also need at least one pike with Link’s normal float rod.
Ordon Catfish
The Ordon Catfish originally comes from the deeper waters around Ordon and can be caught there with a normal fishing rod. A good spot is near the area of the river where the monkey appears with Uli’s wicker basket at the beginning of the game. Since catfish prefer to be deeper, bee larvae or earthworms can make the search easier.
Numerous ordon catfish also live at Hena’s fishing pond. The Popper Lure is particularly suitable for bait fishing because its noise attracts fish from deeper areas. For the secret sinking bait you must have caught at least one Ordon catfish, one Hyrule perch and one Hylia pike with the bait fishing rod.
Reekfish
The Reekfish is the only regular fish species that is immediately needed for a later story section. The striking red fish live exclusively around the mother and child rocks in the area below Zora’s Domain. Without Prince Ralis’ coral earring, they are not interested in Link’s Fishing Rod. You can only catch them reliably after the earring has been automatically attached as a new fishing hook.
Warp to Zora’s Domain and jump down the big waterfall. Swim to the rock formation on the opposite side of the Snowpeak entrance. The red fish can be clearly seen in the water. Stand on the small area of land and cast your line directly between them. Wait until the pose is fully or significantly pulled down, and then strike. As soon as the Reekfish is on land, you transform into Wolf-Link and use your instincts to take hers Reekfish smell on. This smell then leads you through the snow to Yeto and thus on to Snowpeak Ruins.
Bonefish – forbidden catch in Lakebed Temple
The bonefish is not one of the six regular catch book species. These skeletal, piranha-like enemies live in the Lakebed Temple, among other places, and usually attack Link directly. Surprisingly, they also react to his fishing rod. A good spot to try is near the area before the entrance to the Lakebed Temple boss, where several specimens are floating freely in the water.
Cast the regular fishing rod near her and wait for a bite. A caught bony fish is expressly designated as a prohibited catch and is therefore not recorded in the catch book. After being released, he can leave a heart behind. You don’t have to catch a bonefish to get 100% – it’s mainly one of Twilight Princess’s many little secrets.
Bombfish – fish and underwater bomb at the same time
The bombfish also lives in the Lakebed Temple and in some hidden caves Hyrule’s. The animal carries an explosive bomb and is usually used as an enemy or as a natural source of underwater bombs. In fact, you can also catch a bombfish with a regular fishing rod.
Like the bony fish, it is considered a forbidden catch and therefore has no place in the catch book. Unlike the bonefish, however, Link can keep the animal: If there is still space in your bomb bag, the caught bombfish will be stored as a submersible bomb. If the bag is already full, you have to release it again.
The perfect route for the complete fishing guide
If you don’t just want to fish occasionally, but want to experience as much of the game’s fishing content as possible, you can easily integrate the tasks into normal game progress. In Ordon you first get the fishing rod and catch the two greengills for Sera’s cat. After freeing Lanayru, you visit Hena’s fishing pond, immediately get the Empty Bottle and the Piece of Heart and try out bait fishing for the first time. You should catch Hyrule perch, Hylia pike and Ordon catfish once each on this occasion.
Later you will receive the coral earring from Prince Ralis and catch the Reekfish on the way to Snowpeak Ruins. From this point on you can also return to the fishing pond and unlock the sinking lure. If you also complete the first eight routes of the marble slalom up to levels 1-8, you will have the frog bait. Then enter the fishing pond in summer and catch the large Hyrule goby from the water lilies. You have now discovered all of the game’s essential fishing secrets.
Which bait is best for which fish?
| Fish | Recommendation at the fishing pond | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Hyrule Bass | Swimmer Lure | Frog Lure |
| Hylian Pike | Spinner Lure | Swimmer Lure / frog bait |
| Ordon Catfish | Popper Lure | Sinking Lure |
| Hylian Loach | Frog Lure | Sinking Lure |
Why don’t fish bite?
If nothing happens for minutes while float fishing, you should first check whether there are any visible fish swimming in the selected spot. The fishing rod doesn’t create fish out of thin air. If there are no animals near the float, it is worth changing the position. Bee larvae or earthworms can significantly increase the bite rate. After receiving the coral earring, fishing will also be more comfortable.
A second common mistake is striking too early. Small movements of the float simply mean that a fish is examining the bait. Wait until she is really clearly pulled under the water. Only then do you set the hook. When it comes to frog bait, the opposite is true: you should give the fish a short moment after it first grabs it before you strike.
How do you catch particularly large fish?
During normal float fishing, bee larvae and earthworms improve your chances of finding active and larger specimens. For real record hunting, however, Hena’s fishing pond is more interesting. There you should specifically look for large, visible fish instead of taking every bite with you. Paddle slowly and watch the water. Especially in the morning or when visibility is good, it is much easier to assess the size and type of fish.
Then choose the right bait and don’t throw it directly at the fish, but rather slightly in front of its swimming direction. A bait that naturally passes through his field of vision will be attacked much more often. Especially with Hylia pike and Hyrule goby, this preparation can make the difference between a quick catch and a long unsuccessful fishing session.
All fishing secrets at a glance
| Target | Requirement / Location |
|---|---|
| Fishing Rod | Uli after returning the wicker basket in Ordon |
| catch book | First catch with Link’s normal fishing rod |
| Bee Larva | Bee nests, including behind Hena’s hut |
| Earthworms | Grave sites, including at the fishing pond |
| Coral Earring | Prince Ralis during the search for the Snowpeak Ruins |
| Empty Bottle | With float fishing at the small pond near Hena’s bridge |
| Piece of Heart | When bait fishing, pull |
| Frog Lure | Marble slalom up to level 1-8 |
| Sinking Lure | Fishing for Hyrule Perch, Hylia Pickerel, Ordon Catfish and Coral Earring from the shore |
| Large Hyrule Goby | In summer with the water lilies, ideal with frog or sinking bait |
Fishing in Twilight Princess fully explained
Fishing in Twilight Princess is much more than the small tutorial task in Ordon. Link’s normal fishing rod accompanies him throughout the entire adventure, leads to the catch book and is later expanded to include bee larvae, earthworms and the coral earring. At the same time, Hena’s fishing pond offers an almost independent mini-game with a canoe, five different baits, changing seasons, size records and the legendary Hyrule goby.
For a complete score you should not forget the Empty Bottle and the Piece of Heart at the fishing pond. If you also want to experience all the fishing content, fill out your catch book, bring the four large bait fish into Hena’s aquarium, earn the frog bait, find the forbidden sinking bait and finally pull the big Hyrule goby from the water lilies in summer.
For more collectibles, Side Quests and full chapters, check out our Twilight Princess walkthrough.