Fishing Planet LLC launched this free-to-play fishing simulator on 11 August 2015 and it now covers 27 waterways modelled on real fisheries from Texas to Missouri to Oregon. Every catch runs through a physics model where line strength, hook size, drag setting and rod action all decide whether a fish lands or snaps you off. Progression is levels and credits, with BaitCoins sold separately for players who want to skip the grind.
This guide covers everything you need: core mechanics, the best builds, equipment worth investing in, location progression, and the tips that actually make a difference.
Core Mechanics
Float, spin and bottom methods
The three core disciplines each need their own rod, reel and terminal tackle and each catches a different slice of the species list. Spin gear covers active predators such as Bass and Pike, bottom rigs take Catfish and Carp, float gear handles panfish and Trout close in.
Balanced tackle requirements
Rod test range, reel drag rating, line strength and hook size all have to sit inside each other's limits. A 4 kg line on a rod rated to 12 kg means the line breaks first, and an oversized hook on a Bluegill rig simply never gets taken.
Drag control during the fight
The drag slider is adjusted live while a fish runs. Too tight and the line parts, too loose and the fish reaches cover and throws the hook, so the fight becomes a constant trade between recovering line and letting the fish tire.
Time of day and weather cycles
Waterways run a full day cycle with changing light, wind and pressure, and species feed on different schedules. Catfish at Mudwater River come alive after dark while Bass at Lone Star Lake feed hardest around dawn.
Credits, BaitCoins and travel costs
Credits come from selling catches and completing missions and buy most tackle. BaitCoins are the paid currency for premium gear and licences, and travelling between waterways costs credits, so a badly planned trip can leave you unable to get home.
For a deeper dive into how these systems interact, see our Fishing Planet combat guide.
Builds Overview
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Float fishing | A | Versatile approach | Balanced stats |
| Spin fishing | A | Versatile approach | Balanced stats |
| Bottom fishing | A | Versatile approach | Balanced stats |
| Carp fishing | A | Versatile approach | Balanced stats |
| Trolling | A | Versatile approach | Balanced stats |
For full build breakdowns with gear and stat priorities, see our Fishing Planet builds guide. For rankings, check the tier list.
Equipment Guide
| Equipment | Why It Matters | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel | The cheapest workable setup in the game and the one every account starts near. | Lone Star Lake panfish and early levelling |
| Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel | Casting accuracy and cranking power for heavier lures. | Peacock Bass and Largemouth in the Everglades |
| Telescopic float rod and bobber | Bait presented under a bobber at a set depth. | Panfish, Crappie and finicky Trout |
| Feeder rod on a bottom rig | A stiff rod, a weight and a bait sitting still on the bottom, usually with a bite alarm. | Channel and Blue Catfish in river holes |
| Heavy carp rod with a hair rig | Long rod, big pit reel, boilies on a hair rig off the hook shank. | Carp waters and any session where the target outweighs your tackle |
Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel: The cheapest workable setup in the game and the one every account starts near. Low test range keeps it honest, so it excels on panfish and small Bass and breaks on anything heavy.
Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel: Casting accuracy and cranking power for heavier lures. Punishes sloppy thumb control but throws crankbaits and poppers far further than spinning gear of the same rating.
Telescopic float rod and bobber: Bait presented under a bobber at a set depth. Slow, cheap and remarkably effective on species that refuse to chase a lure at all.
Feeder rod on a bottom rig: A stiff rod, a weight and a bait sitting still on the bottom, usually with a bite alarm. This is the whole Catfish game and much of the Carp game.
Heavy carp rod with a hair rig: Long rod, big pit reel, boilies on a hair rig off the hook shank. Built for long fights against fish that will run 40 metres before you gain a metre back.
Full breakdowns in our Fishing Planet weapons guide.
Location Progression
| Location | Level Range | Key Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Lone Star Lake, Texas | Starting waterway, level 1 | Fast early experience, cheap credits, first-catch bonuses |
| Mudwater River, Missouri | Unlocks around level 4 | Channel Catfish trophies, night session missions, bottom fishing experience |
| Emerald Lake, New York | Unlocks around level 8 | Walleye credit income, Northern Pike trophies, jig fishing practice |
| Falcon Lake, Oregon | Unlocks around level 14 | Trout species collection, light-line technique, scenic trophy hunting |
| Everglades, Florida | Unlocks around level 18 | Peacock Bass, high credit per fish, lure fishing mastery |
Lone Star Lake, Texas: The starter water, free to reach with no level requirement, and shallow enough that beginners can see what their tackle is doing. Nearly a dozen species live here including Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, White Crappie, Spotted Bass and Smallmouth Buffalo.
Mudwater River, Missouri: A muddy river system where the fish sit in deep holes rather than spread across open water. Channel Catfish are the headline draw, with Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed, White Crappie and Bluegill filling the margins.
Emerald Lake, New York: Widely treated as the first serious credit farm because of its Walleye density. Grass Pickerel, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch and Golden Shiner round out the list.
Falcon Lake, Oregon: Cold, clear and rocky, with occasional large boulders that hold fish. Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Oregon Redband Trout dominate, with Smallmouth Bass and Pumpkinseed as extras.
Everglades, Florida: Warm shallow canals full of aggressive fish. Peacock Bass and Largemouth Bass hit moving lures hard, while Bowfin and Florida Gar chew through soft plastics.
See our maps & locations guide for detailed area breakdowns and our walkthrough for the optimal progression path.
Tips That Actually Matter
- Match every component of the rig to the weakest link on purpose. Set line test below rod test so a snag breaks the line rather than the rod, and keep the leader slightly weaker than the main line so you lose 30 cm instead of the whole spool.
- Open the drag before the first run, not during it. A hooked fish accelerates fastest in the opening two seconds, and most snapped lines in this game happen because the drag was still set for casting.
- Learn the retrieval techniques rather than holding one button. Stop and go, twitching and uniform retrieves each trigger different species, and Walleye in particular take almost exclusively on the pause.
- Fish the clock, not just the spot. Catfish feed after dark, Trout feed in low light, and Bass push shallow around dawn, so a session that fails at noon may fill the keepnet at the same spot four in-game hours later.
- Check the level requirement and travel cost of a waterway before you buy the ticket. Arriving somewhere with no credits left for tackle or the trip home is the most common early game dead end.
- Sell fish you do not need for the collection instead of hoarding them. The keepnet has a limit, and a full net stops you catching the trophy you actually came for.
- Buy a second, heavier setup as soon as you can afford it rather than upgrading one rod. Bottom fishing and spin fishing need genuinely different gear, and switching disciplines is how you keep earning when one pattern dies.
- Watch where the fish are marked in the water column. Casting a bottom rig into a spot where the species suspends two metres down wastes the whole session, and the depth indicator on your rig is adjustable for exactly this reason.
- Replace worn lures before they fail. Lures degrade with use and a broken lure at the moment a Peacock Bass commits costs more than the replacement would have.
- Complete the per-waterway missions as you go. They pay credits and experience for catches you were making anyway, and several unlock the higher tier tackle you need for the next water along.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Putting a heavy hook and thick line on a panfish rig, then wondering why the Bluegill inspect the bait and swim away.
- Cranking the drag fully tight so nothing can take line, which turns every decent fish into a snapped leader.
- Travelling to an expensive waterway with no credit buffer, leaving no money for bait, tackle or the trip back.
- Fishing one spot for an hour because it worked once, instead of moving when the marked fish leave the area.
- Buying premium tackle with BaitCoins before understanding the balance rules, and pairing an excellent reel with a line that breaks first anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fishing Planet actually free?
Yes, the base game has been free to play since 11 August 2015. Credits earned in game buy most tackle, while BaitCoins are the optional paid currency for premium gear and faster access to higher tier equipment.
Which waterway should I start on?
Lone Star Lake in Texas. It is free to reach, has no level requirement and holds nearly a dozen easy species, so you can learn tackle balance without losing gear to fish that outmatch it.
Why does my line keep breaking?
Almost always drag setting or mismatched components. Line test must sit under rod test, and the drag needs loosening the moment a strong fish runs so the reel gives line instead of the knot failing.
What is the fastest way to earn credits?
Emerald Lake in New York, once you reach the unlock level. Its Walleye density makes it the standard early farm, and stacking waterway missions on top of routine catches roughly doubles the return per session.
Do I need different rods for each fishing type?
Yes. Float, spin and bottom fishing each require their own rod, reel and terminal tackle, and trying to bottom fish with a light spinning setup either fails to cast the weight or breaks on the take.
More Fishing Planet Guides
- Fishing Planet Best Builds
- Fishing Planet Tier List
- Fishing Planet Walkthrough
- Fishing Planet Beginner's Guide
- Fishing Planet Tips & Tricks
- Fishing Planet Weapons Guide
- Fishing Planet Combat Guide
- Fishing Planet Boss Guide
- Fishing Planet Maps & Locations
- Fishing Planet Crafting Guide
- Fishing Planet Classes & Characters
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