FishSoft LLC left early access with Russian Fishing 4 on November 10, 2021 and kept the game free to play. It models 18 reservoirs and more than 230 fish species, with line breaking strain, rod blank test and reel drag all fighting each other while a fish runs. Waterbodies are gated by character level rather than by skill, so Old Burg Lake opens at level 12 and Copper Lake at level 29.
Resource management and crafting determine how quickly your power scales. This guide covers what to prioritize, where to farm, and how to avoid wasting resources on the wrong upgrades.
Crafting Priority List
The order you should invest resources:
| Priority | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Primary equipment | Biggest damage increase per resource spent |
| 2 | Core build gear | Enables your build's key combinations |
| 3 | Defensive upgrades | Survivability for boss fights |
| 4 | Secondary equipment | Situational options for specific content |
| 5 | Consumables | Temporary boosts for hard content |
Resource Farming by Area
Mosquito Lake
Key resources: First silver, Harvesting Baits progress, early character levels Farming efficiency: Low value per run, but safe and consistent
Focus on gathering materials for Match rod upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Winding Rivulet
Key resources: Early bream, groundbait skill progress, steady silver Farming efficiency: Good early-game farming spot
Focus on gathering materials for Match rod upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Old Burg Lake
Key resources: Bream volume, cafe order fills, feeder rod skill Farming efficiency: Best mid-game farming, worth revisiting
Focus on gathering materials for Match rod upgrades here. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Belaya River
Key resources: Grayling and trout, Making Lures progress, spinning rod skill Farming efficiency: High-value materials for late-game upgrades
This is where you farm materials for Telescopic float rod max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Norwegian Sea
Key resources: Largest catches in the game, top tier silver per fish, marine skill Farming efficiency: Best resources in the game, requires strong build
This is where you farm materials for Telescopic float rod max upgrades. See our maps guide for detailed area layouts.
Upgrade Path
Early Game (Mosquito Lake to Winding Rivulet)
- Upgrade your starting equipment to functional level
- Craft basic defensive gear
- Save specialty materials, since you'll need them later
- Focus on Match rod once accessible
Mid Game (Old Burg Lake)
- Push Match rod to mid-level upgrades
- Start collecting materials for Telescopic float rod
- Craft situational consumables for boss fights
- Upgrade build-specific gear pieces
Late Game (Belaya River to Norwegian Sea)
- Max out Telescopic float rod. This is your top priority
- Complete your build's core gear set
- Craft endgame consumables
- Optional: upgrade secondary equipment for variety
Crafting Mistakes to Avoid
- Spreading upgrades across multiple equipment: Focus one weapon to max before diversifying.
- Hoarding materials: Use them. The game provides enough if you farm efficiently.
- Upgrading the wrong gear: Check our builds guide before investing.
- Ignoring Old Burg Lake farming: This area has the best resource-to-time ratio in mid-game.
- Crafting consumables too early: Save specialty materials for late-game recipes.
Resource Efficiency Tips
- Set reel drag around 15 to 20 rather than locking it near maximum. A locked brake transfers the whole fight straight to the line or the blank, and both break instantly on the first hard run from a decent fish.
- Farm Old Burg Lake during mid-game for the best return on time
- Check the walkthrough to know when each resource becomes available
- Match your farming route to your build. Some classes farm faster in certain areas
More Russian Fishing 4 Guides
- Russian Fishing 4 Russian Fishing 4 Overview
- Russian Fishing 4 Best Builds
- Russian Fishing 4 Tier List
- Russian Fishing 4 Walkthrough
- Russian Fishing 4 Beginner's Guide
- Russian Fishing 4 Tips & Tricks
- Russian Fishing 4 Weapons Guide
- Russian Fishing 4 Combat Guide
- Russian Fishing 4 Boss Guide
- Russian Fishing 4 Maps & Locations
- Russian Fishing 4 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Russian Fishing 4, check out these related guides:
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- The Sims 4 Crafting Guide: simulation game with similar mechanics
