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.
Fishing Planet features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order: what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lone Star Lake, Texas | Starting waterway, level 1 | Fast early experience, cheap credits, first-catch bonuses | Spin fishing |
| 2 | Mudwater River, Missouri | Unlocks around level 4 | Channel Catfish trophies, night session missions, bottom fishing experience | Spin fishing |
| 3 | Emerald Lake, New York | Unlocks around level 8 | Walleye credit income, Northern Pike trophies, jig fishing practice | Float fishing |
| 4 | Falcon Lake, Oregon | Unlocks around level 14 | Trout species collection, light-line technique, scenic trophy hunting | Float fishing |
| 5 | Everglades, Florida | Unlocks around level 18 | Peacock Bass, high credit per fish, lure fishing mastery | Float fishing |
Lone Star Lake, Texas: Starting Area
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Starting waterway, level 1 |
| Key Rewards | Fast early experience, cheap credits, first-catch bonuses |
| Recommended Build | Spin fishing |
| Key Equipment | Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Float, spin and bottom methods. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Mudwater River, Missouri.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Mudwater River, Missouri: Early Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks around level 4 |
| Key Rewards | Channel Catfish trophies, night session missions, bottom fishing experience |
| Recommended Build | Spin fishing |
| Key Equipment | Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Balanced tackle requirements. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Emerald Lake, New York.
Emerald Lake, New York: Mid Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks around level 8 |
| Key Rewards | Walleye credit income, Northern Pike trophies, jig fishing practice |
| Recommended Build | Float fishing |
| Key Equipment | Baitcasting rod with a low profile reel |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Drag control during the fight for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Falcon Lake, Oregon: Late Game
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks around level 14 |
| Key Rewards | Trout species collection, light-line technique, scenic trophy hunting |
| Recommended Build | Float fishing |
| Key Equipment | Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Credits, BaitCoins and travel costs mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Everglades, Florida.
Everglades, Florida: Endgame
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.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Unlocks around level 18 |
| Key Rewards | Peacock Bass, high credit per fish, lure fishing mastery |
| Recommended Build | Float fishing |
| Key Equipment | Light spinning rod with a 1000 size reel |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Trolling for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Lone Star Lake, Texas → Mudwater River, Missouri → Emerald Lake, New York → Falcon Lake, Oregon → Everglades, Florida. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner: Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment: Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough: Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush: Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Fishing Planet Guides
- Fishing Planet Fishing Planet Overview
- 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 Crafting Guide
- Fishing Planet Classes & Characters
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