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.
Russian Fishing 4 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 | Mosquito Lake | Level 1, free entry | First silver, Harvesting Baits progress, early character levels | Bottom and feeder angler |
| 2 | Winding Rivulet | Level 1, free entry | Early bream, groundbait skill progress, steady silver | Bottom and feeder angler |
| 3 | Old Burg Lake | Level 12, entry fee applies | Bream volume, cafe order fills, feeder rod skill | Float angler |
| 4 | Belaya River | Mid level, entry fee applies | Grayling and trout, Making Lures progress, spinning rod skill | Float angler |
| 5 | Norwegian Sea | High level, boat and marine tackle required | Largest catches in the game, top tier silver per fish, marine skill | Float angler |
Mosquito Lake: Starting Area
The starting water, open from level 1 with no entry fee. Float fishing works through daylight at roughly 18 to 30 centimetres of depth, and bottom rigs take over overnight with the clip around 8 metres.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1, free entry |
| Key Rewards | First silver, Harvesting Baits progress, early character levels |
| Recommended Build | Bottom and feeder angler |
| Key Equipment | Match rod |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Reel drag and line strain. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Winding Rivulet.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Winding Rivulet: Early Game
The second free water, also open from the start. Moving water rather than a lake, which changes bait presentation and makes it a common early bream and roach grind.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 1, free entry |
| Key Rewards | Early bream, groundbait skill progress, steady silver |
| Recommended Build | Bottom and feeder angler |
| Key Equipment | Match rod |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Level gated waterbodies. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Match rod if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Old Burg Lake.
Old Burg Lake: Mid Game
The first real money water, opening at character level 12. Daytime bream fishing between roughly 8:00 and 20:00 is what most players use to fund their first serious tackle.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Level 12, entry fee applies |
| Key Rewards | Bream volume, cafe order fills, feeder rod skill |
| Recommended Build | Float angler |
| Key Equipment | Match rod |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Telescopic float rod becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Separate skill percentages for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Belaya River: Late Game
A spinning water where grayling and trout are the draw. Retrieve speed matters as much as lure choice, and the current forces you to keep moving rather than camping a swim.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Mid level, entry fee applies |
| Key Rewards | Grayling and trout, Making Lures progress, spinning rod skill |
| Recommended Build | Float angler |
| Key Equipment | Telescopic float rod |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Telescopic float rod should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Energy, comfort and food mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Norwegian Sea.
Norwegian Sea: Endgame
The deep water endgame, fished from a boat with marine tackle. The highest level requirement in the game and the only place several of the biggest species appear.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | High level, boat and marine tackle required |
| Key Rewards | Largest catches in the game, top tier silver per fish, marine skill |
| Recommended Build | Float angler |
| Key Equipment | Telescopic float rod |
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 Bait and groundbait crafter for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Mosquito Lake → Winding Rivulet → Old Burg Lake → Belaya River → Norwegian Sea. 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 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 Crafting Guide
- Russian Fishing 4 Classes & Characters
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