Complete Palia Fishing Guide: Locations, Times & Rare Fish

Fishing in Palia is more than a relaxing pastime—it's a crucial activity that supports your cooking, crafting, questing, and economy endeavors. Whether you're aiming to catch rare fish to complete your collection or just looking for the best times and places to farm materials, understanding the nuances of fishing is essential.

In this guide, you'll learn everything about fishing in Palia, including how to fish, where to go, the best times to catch specific fish, and strategies for finding rare species.

Why Fishing Matters in Palia

Fishing in Palia offers several benefits:

• Income Generation: Many fish can be sold for gold, especially rare and star-quality ones.
• Crafting Materials: Some fish are used in cooking or alchemy recipes.
• Quests and Collections: Completing the Fish Journal and helping out villagers with fish-related quests boosts friendship levels and rewards.
• Relaxing Gameplay: Fishing is a peaceful, low-effort way to enjoy the world of Palia while gathering useful items.

How to Start Fishing in Palia

You’ll unlock fishing early in the game by visiting Einar, the fishing guildmaster. He gives you your first fishing rod and basic instructions. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Equip the Rod: From your inventory, assign the fishing rod to your action bar.
• Cast Your Line: Approach a body of water, press the cast button, and hold it down to adjust the strength of your cast.
• Wait for a Bite: Once a fish bites, you’ll see a prompt to reel in.
• Reel in Carefully: Use directional keys or movement to keep the fish inside the tension ring until it's caught.

You can upgrade your fishing rod later to increase your chances of catching rarer and larger fish.

Fishing Mechanics and Tips

Understanding fishing mechanics can significantly improve your catch rate:

• Tension Ring: Keep the fish icon within the shrinking ring by adjusting your movement.
• Time of Day: Some fish are only available during specific periods—daytime, nighttime, or dusk.
• Weather Conditions: Rain or clear skies affect which fish can appear.
• Bait Usage: Some rare fish require specific bait types to spawn.
• Location Matters: Each region has its own set of fish species. Freshwater and saltwater species are not interchangeable.

Best Fishing Locations in Palia

Different fish populate different water bodies. Below are the best fishing zones in Palia and what they’re known for:

Kilima Village

Kilima Lake and surrounding ponds are ideal for beginners. You'll find a range of common and uncommon freshwater fish here.

Common fish: Kilima Catfish, Emerald Carp

Rare finds: Ancient Fish, Enchanted Eel (only at night and with special bait)

Bahari Bay

This is where things get interesting. Bahari Bay features a mix of saltwater and freshwater locations, ideal for players looking to expand their fish collection.

Common fish: Bahari Bass, Seacliff Snapper

Rare finds: Spotted Mahi, Twilight Grouper (requires bait and specific weather)

Fisherman’s Lagoon

A quiet, peaceful lagoon ideal for rare nighttime species. It’s tucked away from the main towns but well worth the visit.

Common fish: Lagoon Minnow, Shimmerfin

Rare finds: Moonlit Koi, Glowing Tetra (only appear at night and during rain)

Best Times to Fish in Palia

Time of day in Palia directly affects which fish are available. The in-game clock runs faster than real time, so cycles change rapidly.

Morning (6 AM - 10 AM)

• Best for freshwater species like Trout and Carp.
• Ideal time to fish in Kilima Village and the surrounding rivers.

Daytime (10 AM - 4 PM)

• Excellent for general fishing across all locations.
• Some species like Bahari Bass are most active.

Dusk (4 PM - 8 PM)

• Transitional period; many rare species begin to appear.
• Try fishing in the lagoon or Bahari Bay with bait.

Night (8 PM - 6 AM)

• Best time to catch rare and magical fish like the Glowing Tetra.
• Bring bait and head to hidden or less populated water bodies.

How to Catch Rare Fish in Palia

Catching rare fish requires a mix of preparation, location knowledge, and sometimes a bit of luck. Here are strategies to increase your success rate:

Use the Right Bait

There are multiple types of bait in Palia, each affecting fish spawn tables differently. Rare bait types often require crafting or buying from guild vendors.

• Worms: Good for common and uncommon fish.
• Glow Worms: Increases chances of nighttime rare fish.
• Magic Lures: Required for mythical or quest-related fish.

Upgrade Your Rod

Basic rods won’t cut it for high-tier fish. Upgrade to advanced rods at the Fishing Guild once your level increases. These rods improve tension control and reeling power, essential for stronger fish.

Explore Hidden Spots

Rare fish often hide in hard-to-reach or off-the-path locations. Try climbing or gliding to hard-to-access areas. Also, experiment with fishing off bridges, piers, or behind waterfalls.

Track Weather and Time

Use the in-game calendar and weather system to plan your trips. Some of the rarest fish only appear during rainstorms at night. Keep an eye on the forecast and time your expeditions accordingly.

List of Notable Rare Fish in Palia

These are some of the rarest and most sought-after fish in the game, including tips for catching them.

Ancient Fish

• Location: Kilima Lake
• Time: Night
• Weather: Clear
• Bait: Glow Worms
• Tips: Found near ruins or deeper lake spots.

Glowing Tetra

• Location: Fisherman’s Lagoon
• Time: Night
• Weather: Rainy
• Bait: Glow Worms
• Tips: Only appears during rainstorms and in quiet, hidden spots.

Spotted Mahi

• Location: Bahari Bay coastline
• Time: Day
• Weather: Clear
• Bait: Magic Lure
• Tips: Look for sandy, open coastal water.

Moonlit Koi

• Location: Hidden ponds in the hills
• Time: Dusk to Night
• Weather: Any
• Bait: Glow Worms
• Tips: Only appears if no players are nearby.

Enchanted Eel

• Location: Kilima Marsh
• Time: Night
• Weather: Rain
• Bait: Special Quest Bait
• Tips: Unlocked through side quests and village reputation.

Leveling Your Fishing Skill

As you catch more fish, your Fishing Skill increases, unlocking new abilities and gear. Focus on:

• Catching Star-Quality Fish: These provide more XP.
• Fulfilling Villager Requests: Quests involving fish often give bonus fishing XP.
• Using Bait Efficiently: Increases chance of rare fish, which yield more XP.

Final Tips for Master Anglers

Stay Persistent: Rare fish have low spawn rates. If you don’t catch one the first time, return during the right conditions.

• Upgrade Regularly: Don’t stick with a basic rod for too long.
• Learn the Map: Knowing exact fishing holes saves time and increases efficiency.
• Experiment: Try different baits and locations even during the same weather and time—it can surprise you.

Fishing in Palia is a layered and rewarding system that goes beyond just casting a line. By mastering fishing locations, understanding weather and time-based spawns, and targeting rare fish with the right bait, you'll become a top angler in no time.

Whether you’re chasing the elusive Moonlit Koi or simply farming for cooking ingredients, use this guide as your go-to resource for everything fishing in Palia. Keep exploring, keep experimenting, and enjoy the serene yet thrilling life of a fisherman.