Fishing

Fishing is a type of mini-game that was first introduced in Link's Awakening and has continued to make several other appearances in recent Zelda games. Link can usually fish in fishing holes which allow him to cast his fishing rod for an unlimited time at a very low price; however, in Phantom Hourglass, the young hero can fish anywhere without any cost.

While fishing, Link can earn various prizes from its respective fishing hole if he manages to catch a record-breaking fish. For a list of the locations of the fishing ponds, see Fishing Hole.

Link's Awakening
In its first appearance, fishing costs 10 Rupees to play and, if the biggest fish is caught, a Heart Piece is awarded to Link.

Ocarina of Time
The fishing hut in Ocarina of Time is located near Lake Hylia. It is owned by a man that claims to be a great fisherman. As adult Link, Link can cast at the owner and take his cap, revealing that he has gone bald.

Next to the hut is a fishing pond full of fish ready to be caught. By catching large fish, Link can obtain various prizes. When he catches a record-breaking fish, it will be put on display in a tank next to the owner, unless it is the Hylian Loach. This fish is released as soon as Link shows it to the owner since it is an endangered species.

Link can use two types of lures: The regular one and the sinking lure (this one is illegal unless Link talks to the owner and have it legalized). The sinking lure appears randomly at various locations, such as by the stream or somewhere along the edge of the walkable area.

Rules at the fishing pond include:
 * Walking slowly
 * No sinking lures
 * No casting at anybody

All these rules can be broken; however, if Link throws the owner's hat into the water, he will fine him before leaving the pond, although it is actually possible through a glitch to avoid paying the fine. Since the dialog box does not act like a cutscene and thus stop Link's movement like most others, he can walk over towards the exit and this triggers a separate dialog box about leaving without giving back the fishing rod. After this, the owner seems oblivious to the former incident and Link makes off with his wallet intact.

Twilight Princess
The fishing pond of Twilight Princess is located at Upper Zora's River, and is owned by Hena, who is a possible descendant of the fisherman in Ocarina of Time. The area contains a large lake and Hena's hut, which includes a a small marble minigame sidequest known as Rollgoal, fishing guides, fishing discounts, and an opportunity to win the coveted Frog Lure. Inside of the fishing hut, Link can also examine various things around the shop. Walking around and fishing without a lure is free, but Link can also pay Hena 20 Rupees to paddle around in a canoe and lure fish. Link can also pay 100 Rupees to let Hena come with him while fishing, giving instructions.

Link gets a fishing rod early in Twilight Princess, and can catch fish in the game's various waters for free. This is needed to advance the plot at times, and each landed fish provides Link with a heart.

The fishing hole in Twilight Princess is unique in that each time Link enters the pond, the scenery changes to match that of the four seasons. The default season is spring; however, if Link reenters the fishing hole, the atmosphere will change to that of summer, and so on.

Lures
During fishing, Link can use one of five lures, two of which he must either find, or earn to use on the lake.


 * Bobber Lure: This lure is the default fishing apparatus used when fishing with Hena as a guide. This lure bobs up and down to attract sensitive fish. This lure, however, cannot attract deep-water dwelling fish. and the largest fish one can catch with this lure is the Hylian Bass.
 * Spinner Lure: This lure is to attract nervous fish by splashing the water making lots of noise. It looks like a minnow, but has propellers on its front and back. These propellers make enough noise on the surface of the water, making shy fish come up and take a bite. This lure is the best lure to use when trying to catch the Hylian Pike.
 * Popper Lure: This lure is a step up from the bobber lure, having the ability to attract mainly deep-water dwelling fish, using a highly aggravating popping sound at the surface of the water in order to scare more sensitive fish away.
 * Sinking Lure: As in most Zelda games, the sinking lure is prohibited due to its relatively easy way of catching fish. Link must find this lure from the bottom of the lake in order to add it to his arsenal, and even though its use is prohibited within the pond, Hena cannot tell Link has been using it unless Link uses the lure while she is with him as a guide.
 * Frog Lure: This is a secret fishing lure that can only be unlocked by beating all eight levels of the rollgoal game in Twilight Princess. It can be seen hanging on the wall behind Hena in the fishing hut. It is in the shape of a frog which is good food for large fish. This is the only lure that can catch the Hylian Loach legally. The sinking lure can also do this but that is illegal. However, this lure is hard to control, and excellent skill with the controls is needed to work it right.

Fish

 * Greengill: Easily caught. Found in most bodies of water. If there are fish, then there is a good chance that some of them are Greengills.
 * Hylian Pike: A fish found only in Lanayru Province.
 * Hylian Bass: The second hardest fish to get, found mostly in the Fishing Hole. There are a few behind the spirit spring in Kakariko Village.
 * Hylian Loach: The legendary fish that can only be found during the summer.
 * Ordon Catfish: A hard fish to get, found only in Ordona Province, Lanayru Province, and Faron Province.
 * Reekfish: The hardest fish to get as it can only be found in Zora's Domain using Prince Ralis's coral earring.
 * Skullfish: These persistent enemies can be caught with the fishing rod. However, they are illegal and will not be recorded in the journal.
 * Bombfish: Somewhat difficult to catch, these explosive fish can be put into a Bomb Bag as a Water Bomb when caught with the fishing rod. Like the Skullfish, they are forbidden fish, and will not be added to the journal.

Phantom Hourglass
In Phantom Hourglass, the Fishing Rod can be used only when on top of one of the fish shadows on the Sea Chart. Press Menu and Fish to start fishing. To fish, there is a bar that tells Link how close the fish is to getting away. If the bar hits bottom, then the fish gets away. To get the bar up, Link has to pull in the opposite direction of the fish. To pull the fish towards the boat, you have to draw small circles on the screen (Like if you were rolling the line). Also, if the fish jumps Link has to let go of the rod.

The fishing minigame is enabled after completing the Mermaid Sidequest for the Old Wayfarer. When Link brings back a Loovar as proof of his skill, the Wayfarer gives him a Big Catch Lure that will enable him to catch bigger fish. When Link brings back a Rusty Swordfish, the Wayfarer tells him the legend of the huge Neptoona. The Neptoona appears as a different-looking fish shadow on the Sea Chart, which is more difficult to chase down because it moves so fast. Hauling one in and showing it to the Wayfarer will net Link another Heart Piece.

Fish

 * Skippyjack
 * Toona
 * Loovar
 * Rusty Swordfish
 * Neptoona
 * Stowfish (special)

Trivia
Fishing Hole
 * The bobber lure can also be cast into lava. Nothing is known to be caught with it.