WoW Classic Fishing Guide

Our WoW Classic Fishing guide helps you learn everything about the secondary profession — Fishing. Fishing is known for being a slow and relaxing activity that requires patience and dedication to level. With this leveling guide, you’ll learn about the advantages of Fishing, the fastest ways to level it, where to locate trainers, details about special fishing items, and the key differences between Classic Fishing and Retail.

WoW Classic Fishing Overview

Fishing in WoW Classic Fresh is more than just a calming pastime — it’s a highly useful profession that supports your progression in multiple ways. It allows you to cook better meals, earn gold, and even discover unique items. Unlike Retail WoW, Classic WoW 20th Anniversary places strong importance on professions, making Fishing both rewarding and impactful throughout your journey. It serves as a valuable support profession for both primary professions and gold-making strategies.

• Fishing works extremely well alongside Cooking, as many early recipes rely heavily on fish. You can comfortably level Cooking using fish alone, making both professions highly efficient when combined.
• It also has strong synergy with Alchemy. Fish such as Oily Blackmouth, Firefin Snapper, and Stonescale Eel are essential for crafting oils used in Alchemy, making them highly valuable.
• Raw fish can also be sold at the Auction House, providing a steady income stream. This makes Fishing a reliable and low-risk way to generate gold.
• Fishing is particularly beneficial for Hunters, as it provides an easy and affordable way to feed pets. Many types of fish can be consumed directly, allowing you to gather pet food on demand or purchase it cheaply from the Auction House. Pets such as Bats, Bears, Boars, Carrion Birds, Cats, Crabs, Crocolisks, Turtles, and Wind Serpents can all eat raw fish, making Fishing extremely practical for Hunter players.
• Another enjoyable aspect of Fishing is the chance to obtain unique rewards. You can fish from wreckage pools, discover hidden treasures, or even collect pearls from clams, adding excitement and variety to the experience.

We also recommend obtaining a mount, as Fishing often requires traveling between locations. A mount significantly reduces downtime and improves efficiency. Our pro players at Gamer Choice can help you secure a mount quickly, making your fishing journey across Azeroth much smoother.

Classic and Retail Fishing in WoW

Fishing in WoW Classic differs significantly from its Retail counterpart, and these differences are especially noticeable for players coming from modern versions of the game.

• In Classic, you must equip a Fishing Pole in your main hand instead of a weapon to fish. Since this leaves you temporarily unarmed, it’s best to choose safe and quiet locations. Unlike Retail, there is no fishing journal or quick-access button.
• Location plays a major role in Classic Fishing. In Retail, you can fish almost anywhere, even if you receive junk items. In Classic, however, your Fishing skill must match the area. If your skill is too low, you may not be able to fish at all, or you’ll frequently encounter the “Your fish got away!” message, which prevents both loot and skill progression.
• Bait and lures are also more important in Classic. Items like Shiny Bauble increase your Fishing skill temporarily, helping reduce failed catches and improving your leveling speed.
• Additionally, progression beyond Journeyman requires extra steps. You must purchase a special book to unlock Expert Fishing and complete a quest to gain access to Artisan Fishing.

WoW Classic Starting Fishing

To begin Fishing in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary, you only need a Fishing Pole from a Fishing Supplies vendor and to learn Apprentice Fishing from a trainer in a major city. While bait is optional at the start, it greatly improves your chances of success, especially when targeting higher-level fish. Using a Shiny Bauble early on can make leveling much easier.

Fishing Trainer in WoW Classic

In WoW Classic Fresh, Fishing trainers teach both Apprentice (1-75) and Journeyman (75-150) levels. These trainers can be found in major cities and various locations across Azeroth. Below are the Alliance and Horde trainer lists.

Alliance Fishing Trainers

Trainer	Location	Coordinates
Androl Oakhand	Teldrassil	56, 93.6
Arnold Leland	Stormwind City	45.8, 58.2
Astaia	Darnassus	47.6, 56.6
Brannock	Feralas	32.2, 41.6
Donald Rabonne	Hillsbrad Foothills	50.6, 61
Grimnur Stonebrand	Ironforge	48.4, 6.4
Harold Riggs	Wetlands	8.2, 58.6
Lee Brown	Elwynn Forest	47.6, 62.2
Matthew Hooper	Redridge Mountains	26.8, 50.4
Paxton Ganter	Dun Morogh	35.6, 40.4
Warg Deepwater	Loch Modan	40.6, 39.6
Myizz Luckycatch	Stranglethorn Vale	27.6, 77

Horde Fishing Trainers

Trainer	Location	Coordinates
Armand Cromwell	Undercity	80.8, 31.2
Clyde Kellen	Tirisfal Glades	67.2, 51
Kah Mistrunner	Thunder Bluff	56, 46.8
Katoom the Angler	The Hinterlands	80.2, 81.4
Kil'Hiwana	Ashenvale	10.8, 33.6
Lau'Tiki	Durotar	53.2, 81.6
Lui'Mala	Desolace	22.6, 72.6
Lumak	Orgrimmar	69.8, 29.6
Uthan Stillwater	Mulgore	44.6, 60.6
Myizz Luckycatch	Stranglethorn Vale	27.6, 77

WoW Classic Fishing Leveling

Leveling Fishing from 1 to 300 in WoW Classic Fresh requires patience and consistency. Below are recommended locations for efficient progression, though you are free to explore alternatives.

Tip: Level Fishing alongside Cooking to maximize efficiency and make use of your catches.

Fishing can feel repetitive and time-consuming. If you prefer a faster approach, our team at Gamer Choice can help you reach your desired Fishing level quickly and efficiently.

Fishing Leveling 1-75

At the start, leveling can feel slow, but you can catch Raw Brilliant Smallfish in inland waters or Raw Slitherskin Mackerel along coastal zones in starter areas. Using a Shiny Bauble will improve your success rate. Raw Brilliant Smallfish generally sells for more, making it the better option for profit.

Note: Avoid fishing in Tirisfal Glades, as it yields Sickly Looking Fish, which have little to no value.

Fishing Leveling 75-150

Fishing in major cities like Stormwind is a safe and efficient way to level. You’ll catch fish such as Raw Brilliant Smallfish, Raw Longjaw Mud Snapper, and Raw Bristle Whisker Catfish. These are useful for Cooking, and the safe environment allows uninterrupted leveling.

Fishing Leveling 150-225

Move to Dustwallow Marsh for inland fishing, where you can catch Raw Bristle Whisker Catfish and Raw Mithril Head Trout. Both are valuable for selling. Alternatively, fish along the coast near Theramore Isle to catch Raw Rockscale Cod, Raw Spotted Yellowtail, Oily Blackmouth, and Firefin Snapper.

Fishing Leveling 225-300

Steamwheedle Port in Tanaris is an excellent location to reach maximum Fishing level. Other viable options include Feralas and Winterspring, where you can find rarer fish.

WoW Classic Learning Expert Fishing

To unlock Expert Fishing, you must be level 20 with at least 125 Fishing skill. Purchase the book Expert Fishing - The Bass and You from Old Man Heming for 1 gold (way 27.4, 77). This raises your skill cap to 225.

WoW Classic Learning Artisan Fishing

To reach Artisan Fishing, you need to complete Nat Pagle’s quest chain. Once you reach level 35 and 225 Fishing skill, you can accept the quest.

Note: It’s recommended to be around level 45, as the required areas can be dangerous.

Nat Pagle is located on a small island southwest of Theramore Isle in Dustwallow Marsh (/way 59.6, 60).

He will ask you to catch four rare fish. These can only be obtained while on the quest and not in a raid group. The required fish are:

• Feralas Ahi: Feralas, near /way 62, 51
• Misty Reed Mahi Mahi: Swamp of Sorrows, /way 90, 72
• Sar'theris Striker: Desolace, /way 25, 77
• Savage Coast Blue Sailfin: Stranglethorn Vale, /way 33, 32

WoW Classic Special Fishing Items

WoW Classic Fresh includes several special items that improve Fishing skill and performance. These are listed below for convenience.

Item	Skill Up	How to Get
Fishing Pole	0	Purchase from Fishing & Trade Supply merchants.
Blump Family Fishing Pole	+3	The Family and the Fishing Pole from Gubber Blump
Strong Fishing Pole	+5	Fishing & Trade Supply merchants
Big Iron Fishing Pole	+20	Drop 5% chance from Shellfish Trap
Nat Pagle's Extreme Angler FC-5000	+25	Snapjaws, Mon! from Katoom the Angler (Horde only)
Arcanite Fishing Pole	+35	Rewarded from winning the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza
Shiny Bauble	+25	Fishing & Trade Supply merchants
Nightcrawlers	+50	Fishing & Trade Supply merchants
Aquadynamic Fish Lens	+50	Electropellers from Wizbang Cranktoggle
Bright Baubles	+75	Fishing & Trade Supply merchants
Flesh Eating Worm	+75	Rare drop from Rotted One in Duskwood
Aquadynamic Fish Attractor	+100	Fishing & Trade Supply merchants or Engineers
Lucky Fishing Hat	+5 when equipped	Rare Fish - Keefer's Angelfish
Nat Pagle's Extreme Anglin' Boots	+5 when equipped	Rare Fish - Brownell's Blue Striped Racer
Enchant Gloves - Fishing	Enchant gloves to give +2 Fishing skill when worn.	From Enchanters
High Test Eternium Fishing Line	Click to enchant your Fishing Pole permanently. Cannot be moved to a different pole.	Rare Fish - Dezian Queenfish

Special Pools and Fishing Conditions

Fishing schools and wreckage pools are unique features in WoW Classic 20th Anniversary. These appear as visible whirlpools or floating debris in the water and significantly increase your chances of catching specific fish or valuable items.

Fishing in these pools can yield important resources such as Oily Blackmouth, Firefin Snapper, and Stonescale Eel, all of which are highly valuable for professions like Alchemy and Cooking.

Floating Wreckage and Debris pools can also contain locked chests with potions, trade goods, bags, or even rare items. Each fishing school has a limited number of catches before disappearing and respawning nearby.

Conclusion

The WoW Classic Fishing guide provided you with a full overview of the Fishing profession. You learned about its benefits, leveling methods, and unique mechanics. While leveling Fishing in Classic WoW Fresh can be slow and repetitive, it offers a relaxing and rewarding experience that lets you enjoy the world of Azeroth at your own pace.

Check out our other WoW Classic guides:

• First Aid Guide
• Alchemy Guide
• Tailoring Guide
• Skinning Guide