Fishing (The Sims 3)

Fishing

Family fishing

Fishing is a skill in The Sims 3. This skill is gained by fishing in the ponds or ocean around the map. The higher the Sims' fishing skill is, the more types of fish they can catch. Books can be bought at the bookstore showing the bait that can be used to catch specific fish, but a Sim can determine the bait through trial and error by simply selecting a bait and seeing what they catch. Water can be inspected to see what known fish can be caught there, and whether the fish are active.

The skill is augmented by the angler and loves the outdoors traits. Child Sims and older Sims with the childish or insane traits can fish in swimming pools. The fishing skill class is held at the grocery store.

When Sims reach level 3 in the gardening skill, they can use fish as a fertilizer for harvestable plants in their garden. The quality of the fish depends on how effective the fertilizer will be on the plant it is used on.

There are certain types of fish that can only be caught if Sims travel to one of the three locations shipped with The Sims 3: World Adventures. Sims can catch frogs, snails and crawfish in Champs Les Sims. In Shang Simla the types of fish Sims can catch are doitsu koi, kawarimono koi, ochiba koi, tancho koi and dragon fish. In Al Simhara, Sims can catch crocodiles and mummy fish. These fish are exclusive to these locations and cannot be caught in any other world shipped with The Sims 3.

With The Sims 3: Ambitions expansion pack, players can register as a self-employed angler.

When a Sim maximizes the fishing skill, they will receive a certificate in the mail, saying: "The Maught Key Fishers' Association congratulates you, for achieving the very highest level of achievement in your fishing endeavors. Please accept this handsomely framed certificate and display it with pride knowing others will see just how skilled you are."

Statistics[]

Number Caught
Fish Types Caught
Heaviest Fish Caught
Most Money Earned From Selling A Fish
Total Money Earned from Fishing

Challenges[]

Skill challenges related to fishing:

Amateur Ichthyologist: Amateur Ichthyologists have caught at least 20 types of fish. Their deep understanding of marine life helps them catch bigger fish than normal Sims.
Commercial Fisherman: Commercial Fishermen have caught at least 350 fish. They often catch more fish in less time than normal Sims.

Notes[]

Commercial Fishermen fish 60% faster than the original time, if they also have the Angler trait then it is a total 145% faster.

Abilities[]

Level	Ability
1	Inspect Water
3	Choose bait
5	Use live bait

Every two levels the game announces the Sim can catch more fish and to check the bookstore.

The Sim can learn the bait type for a specific fish species by buying and reading fishing books from the bookstore or just by successfully catching a particular species once using the right bait type. Fishing books are not available in the community public library.

All aquatic animals caught fishing can be kept as pets in an aquarium or they can be used to stock a pond.

Fish[]

Skill	Name	Habitat	Rarity	Weight (Kg)	Min Value	Max Value	EP
0	Minnow	Fresh Water	Common	0.1 - 0.5	5	11	&BG
0	Anchovy	Salt Water	Common	0.1 - 0.5	5	11	&BG
1	Goldfish	Fresh Water	Common	0.1 - 2	6	16	&BG
1	Alley Catfish	Both	Uncommon	0.1 - 5	6	20	&BG
2	Jellyfish	Salt Water	Common	0.1 - 10	8	19	&BG
2	Rainbow Trout	Fresh Water	Common	1 - 10	9	18	&BG
3	Red Herring	Both	Common	1 - 10	5	5	&BG
3	Tuna	Salt Water	Common	2 - 40	11	25	&BG
4	Tragic Clownfish	Salt Water	Uncommon	5 - 15	14	30	&BG
4	Siamese Catfish	Both	Uncommon	5 - 40	13	32	&BG
5	Piranha	Fresh Water	Common	3 - 25	14	41	&BG
5	Blowfish	Salt Water	Uncommon	5 - 40	14	47	&BG
6	Salmon	Both	Common	10 - 50	14	45	&BG
6	Black Goldfish	Fresh Water	Common	5 - 25	16	49	&BG
7	Swordfish	Salt Water	Common	20 - 60	17	60	&BG
7	Shark	Both	Uncommon	1 - 150	7	70	&BG
8	Angelfish	Both	Uncommon	2 - 60	21	85	&BG
8	Vampire Fish	Fresh Water	Rare	25 - 80	55	225	&BG
9	Lobster	Both	Common	5 - 50	25	120	&BG
9	Robot Fish	Fresh Water	Rare	250 - 1,000	50	275	&BG
10	Deathfish	Fresh Water	Rare	20 - 80	200	1,000	&BG
0	Frog	Fresh Water	Common	0.1 - 1	6	13	&EP01
0	Doitsu Koi	Fresh Water	Common	1 - 25	7	14	&EP01
3	Kawarimono Koi	Fresh Water	Common	1 - 25	14	28	&EP01
3	Snails	Both	Uncommon	0.1 - 1	8	20	&EP01
4	Crocodile	Fresh Water	Uncommon	1 - 400	14	40	&EP01
5	Ochiba Koi	Fresh Water	Uncommon	1 - 50	20	65	&EP01
5	Crawfish	Both	Uncommon	0.1 - 3	15	45	&EP01
7	Tancho Koi	Fresh Water	Uncommon	1 - 50	25	90	&EP01
8	Mummy Fish	Fresh Water	Rare	25 - 80	280	1,200	&EP01
9	Dragon Fish	Fresh Water	Rare	40 - 150	60	300	&EP01
2	Sea Sludge	Both	Common	1 - 100	11	22	&EP03
4	Kissing Gourami	Both	Common	0.1 - 15	8	15	&EP03
6	Sewer Trilobite	Both	Common	1 - 100	35	75	&EP03
1	Sea Bat Starfish	Salt Water	Common	1 - 25	8	42	&EP06
5	Linckia Starfish	Salt Water	Uncommon	1 - 40	16	76	&EP06
10	Ninja Starfish	Salt Water	Rare	1 - 80	50	400	&EP06
1	Toad	Fresh Water	Common	0.4 - 2	8	20	&EP07
4	Luminous Salamander	Both	Uncommon	0.1 - 1	20	90	&EP07
8	Fairy Damsel	Salt Water	Rare	4 - 65	50	300	&EP07
0	Three Eyed Fish	Both	Common	2 - 10	5	25	&EP11
0	Rainbow Snail	Both	Common	0.1 - 5	15	50	&EP11

Notes[]

Ironically, the Vampire Fish's favorite bait is garlic, which is one of a vampire's weaknesses.
Robot Fish can be found in a pond in most science labs. It's the only fish that can weigh over one ton.
Deathfish can be found in a pond in graveyards. It can only be caught between midnight and 5 AM, unless it's caught from a Sim-made deathfish-stocked pond. The graveyard pond will only yield a maximum of six (sometimes five) deathfish per night. After the sixth is caught, the pond reverts to just red herring and vampire fish, regardless of the hour.
Red Herring is not a real fish, but a common expression for something that distracts attention from a real issue. Like most fish, herrings have silvery scales.
All fish from Island Paradise cannot be caught from fishing. The only way to catch them is from scuba diving in the diving areas, and is considered Sea Life Collecting.
- It is, however, possible to stock a pond with them like any other fish and catch them that way. If you stock a pond with these fish, they cannot be seen swimming in the water but they can still be caught like all other fish in the game. It appears that they were only partially implemented for regular fishing, as an oversight unintentional or with the intention of also making them fishable but ended up being cut.
Traveling to the future is not enough to catch either of the unique fish in Into the Future without placing Buydebug spawners. You must go into the Dystopian future to catch a Three Eyed Fish and into the Utopian Future to Catch a Rainbow Snail.

Opportunities[]

Opportunities related to fishing:

Visiting rabbit hole[]

A Plumber and Fisherman
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 3-9 City hall rabbit hole	Once per Sim Received from phone (10)	§500 1 Random fish	N/A
"Unclog Pipes" at the city hall between 7 AM and 10 PM.
Something has clogged up the plumbing in City Hall and every local plumber is stumped. Something fishy is afoot and you've been asked to come in to see what you can reel out of the pipes. Get to City Hall quickly before the situation worsens and you'll be paid well.

Aquarium Fishing
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 5-10 Grocery rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	Winning §1,000 5 Random fish Losing 2 Random fish	N/A
"Attend Fishing Competition" at the grocery between 4 PM and 8 PM on weekends.
The Supermarket is worried that their aquarium tanks are a bit too full based on the currently low market demand for fresh fish. They're inviting local fishermen to fish directly from their aquarium and leave with whatever they catch! Go to the Supermarket and try your luck, but hurry before the tanks are depleted of free fish!
Notes: The base chance of winning the opportunity is 25%, modified by up to +25% at maximum mood and +25% at level 10 fishing skill.

Fishing for Suits
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 6-10 Office building rabbit hole	Once per Sim Received from phone (10)	§1,000	5 days
"Teach Fishing Seminar" at the office building between 12 PM and 6 PM.
Several local business executives are about to fly to the Far South Seas to do some deep, deep sea fishing. Unfortunately, they don't know the first thing about bait, lures, or snappy fishing attire. Fortunately, they're willing to pay you good money to travel to the Business Office to teach them how to fish. Be quick about it!

Monster from the Deep
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 10 Science lab rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	Winning §4,000	N/A
"Catch Behemoth" at the science lab between 7 AM and 10 PM.
A gigantic aquatic genetic experiment gone horribly awry has escaped from its aquarium at the Science Facility and is now swimming amidst the normal fishing population! You’re the only Sim in town with the ability to catch such a monstrosity! Quickly go to the Science Facility and catch the behemoth. You’ll be well rewarded.
Notes: The base chance of winning the opportunity is 40%, modified by up to 30% at maximum mood.

Fishing[]

By amount[]

Fresh Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 1-4 Grocery rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 3 fish to the grocery between 7 AM and 11 PM.
The Supermarket is looking to pay local fishermen to supply the fish for their "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section. Catch 3 fish and sell them at the Supermarket to earn some easy money!

Lots of Fresh Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 4-6 Grocery rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 6 fish to the grocery between 7 AM and 11 PM.
The Supermarket is looking to pay local fishermen to supply the fish for their "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section. Catch 6 fish and sell them at the Supermarket to earn some easy money!

Fresh Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 5-10 Celebrity level 0 Have a non-friend celebrity	Once per Sim Received from phone (100)	+1,000 Celebrity points Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 6 fish to the target Sim.
"Oh, hello! Is this (Sim name)? My name is (target Sim name). I've got a bit of a green thumb and I'm always on the lookout for the best fertilizers. A friend of mine mentioned that you've got quite the knack for fishing. Why don't you bring down a sample of your work and maybe I'll talk you up around town."

Heaps of Fresh Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 7-10 Science lab rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 15 fish to the grocery between 7 AM and 11 PM.
The Supermarket is looking to pay local fishermen to supply the fish for their "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section. Catch 15 fish and sell them at the Supermarket to earn some easy money!

By quality[]

That's a Nice Fish!
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
None	N/A	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver a very-nice-quality fish to the grocery.
Your contact at the "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section of the Supermarket has a special request. One customer in particular only buys fish of a particular quality, which at the moment is a very nice fish. Catch a very nice fish and bring it to the Supermarket to earn some quick cash.
Notes: This opportunity exists in the game strings and listed in the opportunity names, but does not have any setup in the game files.

An Excellent Catch
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
None	N/A	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver an excellent-quality fish to the grocery.
Your contact at the "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section of the Supermarket has a special request. One customer in particular only buys fish of a particular quality, which at the moment is an excellent fish. Catch an excellent fish and bring it to the Supermarket to earn some quick cash.
Notes: This opportunity exists in the game strings and listed in the opportunity names, but does not have any setup in the game files.

Piscine Perfection
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
None	N/A	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver a perfect-quality fish to the grocery.
Your contact at the "First Matey's Fresh Fish, Gills, and Scales" section of the Supermarket has a special request. One customer in particular only buys fish of a particular quality, which at the moment is a perfect fish. Catch a perfect fish and bring it to the Supermarket to earn some quick cash.
Notes: This opportunity exists in the game strings and listed in the opportunity names, but does not have any setup in the game files.

By fish type[]

Crocodile Hunting
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 3-10	Once per Sim Received from phone (10) Homeworld only	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver a crocodile to the science lab.
The Science Facility's lucky pet crocodile Hercules has finally passed on. The head scientist is distraught and his team wants to get a replacement as soon as possible. Would you be able to get a new Crocodile for the lab?
Notes: Although catching a crocodile requires at least level 4 of fishing skill, it's possible to receive this opportunity below the required skill level.

No Warts Please!
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 3-10	Once per Sim Received from phone (10) Homeworld only	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 3 frogs to the restaurant.
The Restaurant is looking to add Frog Legs to the menu and was told you may be able to catch and deliver the first fresh supply of Frogs. The Restaurant is willing to pay top dollar.

To Hunt a Dragon
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 3-10	Once per Sim Received from phone (10) Homeworld only	Variable cash	N/A
Deliver 3 dragon fish to the military base.
The military wants to see if a rare species of fish, the Dragonfish, could be used for cutting edge eco-space technology. They'd like to outsource the acquisition of said fish to you.
Notes: Although catching a dragon fish requires at least level 9 of fishing skill, it's possible to receive this opportunity below the required skill level.

Funny Looking Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 5-10 Theater rabbit hole	Once per Sim Received from phone (10)	§250 + variable cash	N/A
Deliver a tragic clownfish to the theater between 7 AM and 11 PM.
The owner of the Theatre is dying for a little companionship. He wants a Tragic Clownfish – fittingly enough for a lover of drama! Catch a Tragic Clownfish and bring it to the Theatre for a little cash.

Say Hello to My Little Fish
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 7-10 Police station rabbit hole	Once per Sim Received from phone (10)	§650 + variable cash	N/A
Deliver a black goldfish to the police station between 7 AM and 11 PM.
The chief of police wants to bring in a tough new member to the police force – a Black Goldfish. Mean and ornery, these particular Black Goldfish are perfect for the job. Catch a Black Goldfish and bring it to the Police Station to earn some money.

Lobsters in Demand!
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 10 Grocery rabbit hole	Once per Sim Received from phone (10)	§100 + variable cash	N/A
Deliver a lobster to the grocery between 7 AM and 10 PM.
The Supermarket is low on lobsters, which happen to be a big part of the town's diet. Quickly catch a Lobster and bring it to the Supermarket – you'll be compensated for your effort!

A Fish of Life and Death
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 10 Science lab rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	§350 + variable cash	N/A
Deliver a deathfish to the science lab between 7 AM and 10 PM.
The Science Facility is dying to obtain a Deathfish to see if the oddly named creature has any life giving properties contained within its scaled body. Catch a Deathfish and deliver it to the Science Facility for a hefty sum of Simoleons.

Robot Fish v2.0
Requirements	Availability	Rewards	Timeout
Fishing skill level 10 Hospital rabbit hole	Repeatable Received from phone (5)	§350 + variable cash	N/A
Deliver a robot fish to the science lab between 7 AM and 10 PM.
The scientific know-it-alls at the Science Facility have heard about your fishing skills and they'd like you to catch them a Robot Fish. Few of the mysterious creatures have been seen and the scientists greatly desire one for study. Catch a Robot Fish and sell it to the scientists at the Science Facility... it'll be well worth the time!
Notes: The opportunity setup requires a hospital to exist in the world, even though the player needs to complete the opportunity at the science lab.

[edit]

Wishes[]

Name	Lifetime Happiness	Description	EP
Learn Fishing Skill	500	Your Sim seeks to learn something new to enrich and enlighten. Have your Sim refine a talent to perhaps pick up a new skill!	&BG
Take a Class in the Fishing Skill	500	Your Sim wants to take a Fishing Skill class to learn the skill. Visit the Supermarket to enroll in the class.	&BG
Improve Fishing Skill	500	Learning is an exciting pursuit many Sims enjoy. Your Sim wants to improve a skill so they can do more things with the knowledge! Practice the skill until your Sim gains a level.	&BG
Go Fishing	150	Local bodies of water are beckoning to your Sim. The fish are biting, your Sim just knows it! Pick a nice fishing spot and cast away!	&BG
Go Fishing Before 6AM	500	The early bird catches the worm, or in this case, the early Sim brings in the big fish. Your Sims wants to wake up extra early to fish out of the calm, pre-dawn waters.	&BG
Catch a New Type of Fish	300	The first fish caught is always the one best remembered. There's nothing like hooking a new species! Your Sim wants to catch the first of a certain type of fish.	&BG
Catch [#] New Types of Fish	Varies	There are only so many fish species in the water, but your Sim hopes to catch a large number of them. Catch several new types of fish to satisfy your Sim.	&BG
Catch Every Type of Fish	7,500	Your Sim dreams of catching every fish that swims in the local bodies of water. Seek out the best fishing spots, bring some bait, and get to it!	&BG
Learn Bait for [Fish name]	Varies	Some fish bite more often when the correct bait is attached to the lure. Your Sim wants to learn the bait for a certain fish. Read bait books purchased from the bookstore, or experiment with different types of bait to see what works!	&BG
Catch Something with Live Bait	300	Your Sim wants to experiment with live bait to catch something. Pick the correct bait, make sure it's wriggling, and cast away.	&BG
Catch [#] [Fish name]	Varies	Your Sim hopes to spend some time at the beach or lake with a fishing rod in hand to catch several fish.	&BG
Catch a Perfect [Fish name]	500	The highest quality fish are caught by the best fishermen, and only if they continue casting until quality is caught. Your Sim wants to catch a Perfect fish.	&BG
Catch a [#] Kilogram Fish	400	Only the biggest catches are worth mentioning. Your Sim wants to catch a certain sized fish of which to be proud.	&BG
Catch a Record Size Fish	300	Your Sim wants to beat a personal best and catch a record size fish. Check the skill journal to see what your Sim is up against and start casting!	&BG
Put [Fish name] in Fish Bowl	250	Sims like to catch fish and put them in a fish bowl to cherish forever... assuming the fish is fed. Your Sim wants to catch a fish and put it in a fish bowl.	&BG
Master the Fishing Skill	5,000	Mastering a Skill takes a great patience and dedication, but your Sim aspires to be the best. Have your Sim practice the skill and complete Opportunities, and great things will happen.	&BG

[edit]

Trophies[]

Fish can be mounted on walls by clicking on a fish in a Sim's inventory and choosing "send to be mounted" and paying a small fee around 70 Simoleons. The trophy should arrive the next day in the mailbox.

Fish can also be put in fish bowls or an aquarium^[TS3:HELS]. Fish bowls can be bought in buy mode. All fish fit in a bowl, one fish per bowl or six fish per tank. Fish are nameable, but must be fed each day or they will die. Fish can be scooped out of bowls, and put back in a Sim's inventory.

Stocking ponds[]

If a Sim has 10 or more fish of one type in their inventory, they can stock any pond with that fish. By stocking fish, a new type of fish is introduced in that pond. The pond will then contain an unlimited supply of that fish type for fishing.

There is no limit on how many different fish types there can be in one pond. Any type of fish or any type of pond will do, including Deathfish and ponds not on playable lots. Stocking a pond with the Deathfish (or any other fish, for that matter) will allow it to be caught at any time of the day in that pond.

A tip in obtaining better Deathfish is purchasing 10 Alley Catfish and stocking them in a pond in order to obtain a perfect Alley Catfish. Then fish 10 Angel Fish and stock them in the same pond. At midnight to 5am the angler will be able to get a very good or perfect Deathfish.

Buydebug fishing spawners[]

Fishing spots can be populated with fish by using fishing spawners. Fishing spawners can be found under the buy menu when the cheat buydebug is turned on.

Strange occurrences[]

Sometimes a Sim may catch an old box which will give them various things. The box randomly grants the Sim one object from the following list, sorted according to the rarity of the items.

Since the game's files use weightings instead of percentages for the box's items, the conversions into percentages in the table below has the percentages rounded up or down to the nearest 2 decimals.

Item	Without WA	With WA
Ducksworth of Bathington	17.43%	11.11%
Bubble Bath	13.95%	8.89%
Candle	13.95%	8.89%
Birthday cake	13.95%	8.89%
Garden gnome	8.71%	5.56%
Escape Dust^[TS3:WA]		5.56%
Mummy snacks^[TS3:WA]		5%
Liquid Courage potion^[TS3:WA]		5%
Sands of Understanding^[TS3:WA]		5%
Skeleton keystone^[TS3:WA]		3.89%
Guitar	5.57%	3.61%
Stereo	5.57%	3.61%
Death Flower	5.22%	3.33%
Mysterious Mr. Gnome	5.22%	3.33%
Sultan Sam the Magical Gnome of Egypt		3.33%
Master Manchu the Magical Gnome of China		3.33%
Little Léon the Magical Gnome of France		3.33%
Money Tree seed	4.35%	2.78%
Flame Fruit	3.48%	2.22%
Laptop	2.6%	1.67%
Master Thief's Coin^[TS3:WA]		1.11%
Eyes of Horus^[TS3:WA]		0.56%

Gallery[]

TS3:HELS

TS3:WA