Where Winds Meet Fishing Guide: How to Unlock, Fish & Catch More Easily

Fishing in Where Winds Meet isn’t immediately obvious. Unlike many RPGs, there’s no early tutorial pop-up or dedicated button hint. Instead, it’s tucked behind a short encounter with an NPC—easy to miss if you’re not exploring carefully.

Once unlocked, though, fishing becomes a rewarding side activity for gathering resources, completing contests, and earning extra rewards.

This guide walks you through everything: how to unlock fishing, how the system works, controls for PC and controller, and tips to catch fish efficiently.

How to Unlock Fishing

Fishing is unlocked through an NPC named Chu Shuiyang in Qinghe.

Step-by-step:

👉 After this, fishing is permanently unlocked.

How Fishing Works (Core Mechanics)

Fishing follows a simple but skill-based loop:

🎣 Fishing Phases

👉 Mastering the struggle phase is key to consistent catches.

How to Fish on PC (Keyboard & Mouse)

Fishing is tied to the Quick Use system, which makes it feel hidden at first.

Setup:

1. Press B → Open Bag
2. Go to Quick Use tab
3. Equip Kid’s Fishing Rod in Special Item slot

Start Fishing:

• Hold Alt → Open item wheel
• Select rod
• Stand in water → Press X

Controls:

• Cast: Hold Left Click, release near top
• Attract fish: Press Space
• Control fish: Move mouse left/right
• Reel in: Press Space

How to Fish on Controller

Fishing is smoother on controller thanks to dedicated inputs.

Setup:

• Open Bag → Assign rod to Special Item slot

Controls:

• Start fishing: D-Pad Up
• Cast: Hold Square (PlayStation)
• Attract: Press X
• Control fish: Left Stick
• Reel in: Press X

How to Change Bait (Very Important)

Bait selection directly affects what fish you catch.

Controls:

Available starter bait:

• Dough Bait
• Worm Bait
• Plant Bait

👉 Tip: In contests, always use the “favorite bait” shown in the UI.
Wrong bait = wasted time.

Where to Find Fishing Spots

Fishing works in most water areas—not just specific nodes.

Requirements:

• Water must be knee-deep
• Fishing icon must be active

Doesn’t work in:

• Shallow puddles
• Very thin streams

How to Track Fish Locations

1. Open map
2. Switch filter to Herb icon
3. Go to Species → Fish
4. Select fish to track

👉 Only works in explored areas.

Fishing Contests Explained

Fishing contests are mini-challenges hosted by NPC anglers.

What to expect:

• Time limits
• Specific fish targets
• AI competitors

Example:

• Chu Shuiyang’s contest (Qinghe) → tutorial
• Later contests → harder requirements

👉 Rewards scale with performance and difficulty.

Where to Buy Better Rods & Bait

After the starter gear, you can upgrade your setup.

🛒 Vendors:

• Xiong Da (Heaven’s Pier)
  • Sells bait + Little Toad’s Rod (upgrade)
• Hu Niu’er’s Shop (Kaifeng)
  • Sells bait
• Yu Dalang (Kaifeng)
  • Fishing-related items

👉 The Little Toad’s Rod is your first major upgrade—don’t miss it.

Common Fishing Problems (And Fixes)

❌ Rod not detected

• Leave the area and return
• Forces inventory refresh

❌ Fishing icon grayed out

• Move deeper into water

❌ No fish biting

• Shake rod more often
• Check bait type

Pro Tips to Catch More Fish

• Always match bait to fish preference
• Upgrade your rod early
• Practice the struggle phase timing
• Farm contests for rewards and experience
• Stay in optimal depth (knee-high water)

Final Thoughts

Fishing in Where Winds Meet may feel confusing at first, but once you understand the Quick Use system and bait mechanics, it becomes a smooth and rewarding activity.

Unlock it early, grab a better rod, and focus on bait matching—that’s the real secret to success.

Whether you’re completing contests or farming resources, fishing quickly becomes one of the most useful side systems in the game.

FAQ

How do I unlock fishing?

Meet Chu Shuiyang in Qinghe and complete the tutorial contest.

Why can’t I fish?

You’re likely in water that’s too shallow or haven’t equipped the rod.

Does bait matter?

Yes—using the wrong bait can prevent catching target fish.

What’s the best rod early on?

The Little Toad’s Rod from Heaven’s Pier is the first upgrade.