Moonlight Peaks: the ultimate fishing guide - unlocking and fish types

Fishing arrives as early as your second night in Moonlight Peaks. No shop, no discreet tutorial: you have to earn your rod through sheer nerve, in a contest against an NPC. Good news - it's genuinely accessible, and rare fish pay out enough to get you out of a rough financial patch early in the game.

How to get the fishing rod

As early as your second night, cross the bridge to the right of your house, pass under the arch and head to the sandy beach. You'll find Noel there, who throws down a challenge: catch three different fish species before he does. If you win, he hands you 250 Coins. And best of all, he lets you keep the rod.

The challenge is generous: you have the whole night. Look for fish-shaped shadows on the water's surface, cast your line, wait for a bite, and reel it in. Three distinct species, and you're done. Once you've got your catches in hand, go back to see Noel at The Broken Lamp inn to settle the bet.

Fishing mechanics: what you need to know

No complicated mini-game here. You cast, you wait, and you reel in when it bites. The shadows beneath the surface show you exactly where to aim. One important tip, though: don't cast your bait directly into the school, the fish will scatter. Aim just next to it, then gently reel the line back to draw them in.

Note

If you're playing with a controller, a vibration signals the right moment to reel in your catch. On keyboard, just watch to make sure the fish has actually bitten before pressing. You'll also occasionally reel in junk - keep it, it sells!

All the fish, their locations and their values

Each fish has a base value and a base amount of energy. Both figures increase with the fish's star level. A Whisper with no stars is worth 40 Coins and gives 6 energy; at 1 star, it goes up to 50 Coins and 8 energy. The same logic applies to all species.

Priorities based on your progress

Right at the start of the game, the Whisper is your friend: it can be caught anywhere, no conditions attached. Ideal for filling your purse while you're still finding your bearings. But as soon as you gain access to Rose Grove, the Armour clearly becomes the most profitable catch in the game with its 280 base Coins. Almost seven times more than a Whisper.

The Leftsee is also worth the detour: 140 Coins for a fish hidden in underground waters is a solid effort-to-reward ratio once you know how to access it. And watch out for the Goldy - seasonal, available only in spring and summer near Silverveil. Miss the window, and you'll have to wait for the next season.

This guide will be updated as seasons pass and new content is added to Moonlight Peaks.