Fishing Finally Arrives in Fallout 76 After Seven Years

The Fisherman

Fallout 76 is getting a major update that adds fishing to the game, a feature players have wanted since its launch in 2018.

The long-awaited fishing update is now available on Fallout 76's public test server. According to Bethesda's official announcement, players will begin their fishing adventures at a new location called Fisherman's Rest in the Mire region.

At this new location, players will meet three new characters: Captain Raymond Clark, a mysterious figure known as The Fisherman who doesn't speak any recognizable language, and Linda-Lee, who is actually a giant hermit crab living in Captain Clark's old fishing boat.

Players can access fishing by following a quest that appears on their Pip-Boy as a "mysterious signal." Upon completing the "Casting Off" questline, they'll receive their first fishing rod, allowing them to fish in any location with swimmable water. As Bethesda puts it: "If I can swim, then I can fish."

The fishing rod can be upgraded over time, and weather conditions will affect what types of fish are available to catch. For players who enjoy decorating their living spaces, trophy fish can be displayed as items in their C.A.M.P. bases.

This update represents more than just a new activity - it addresses one of the community's long-standing requests. Fallout 76 had a notoriously difficult launch in 2018, with players criticizing its bugs, server problems, and lack of polish. While the development team has steadily improved the game with multiple updates over the years, including last year's map expansion with new bosses, raids, and weapons, many felt the game still seemed incomplete without fishing.

The fishing update comes at a time when Fallout is experiencing renewed interest thanks to the successful Amazon TV adaptation. The game only recently achieved a positive rating on Steam after seven years of dedicated work from Bethesda to address player concerns.

Beyond fishing, the update also makes significant gameplay changes. The developers have revamped how limb damage and crippling effects work and rebalanced many character perks. Complete details can be found in the full patch notes on Bethesda's website.