DREADMOOR fish are one vital part of the game. They can cover the cost of your next upgrade or provide the materials that keep your boat afloat. Choose the right bait to get the good catch of the day. Then you just have to bring the fish back intact. Start your fishing journey with Snappers and Earthworms. Softgrazers supply the Chromatic Scales that move your early upgrades forward, while predatory catches need a more active lure.
What you need to understand first is a fish’s behavior. Peaceful fish respond to different bait than predators, and the fight changes after the hook sets. Read the fishing spot information before each cast. From there we discern whether the catch belongs in a quest, a processing machine, or your next sale. Your cargo hold deserves some attention too: some of its predatory occupants have… an appetite, for smaller peaceful fish.
Cast your reel:
DREADMOOR Fish and Bait Quick Reference
These are all the fish I encountered in the early access version of the game and all the data I could find out about them:
| Fish | Bait | Where to Look | Main Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapper | Earthworm | Beneath the Trading Post pier during the opening fishing objective | Early objective; Fish Meat for the fuel loop |
| Softgrazer | Wind-Up Tin | Peaceful fishing grounds introduced by the early quest | Chromatic Scales through the Thresher |
| Harpooner | Rainbow Fin | Fishing grounds where you find the Harpooner | Three carcasses requested for Betsy |
| Bloodgill | Rainbow Fin | A school specifically listing Bloodgill; check the Ghoul Tower area | Raw-essence quest; Fish Meat and Jaws when processed |
| Belly Bulge | Wind-Up Tin/Sturdy Earcrawler is another option | Shallow water; look for the named fishing school | Later fishing objective |
| Toadling | Sturdy Earcrawler/Wind-Up Tin is another option | Weedy shallows; look for the named fishing spot | Later objective/sale offer of 76 |
Where to Find Fish in DREADMOOR
Each fish can be found in different locations. The type (and even the look) of the fish correlate to where they frequent:
Snappers at the Trading Post Pier
Snappers are the first fish on the list. They’re the earliest fish we’re gonna catch. You can find them beneath the Trading Post pier. And the early fishing equipment you got here are Earthworm (bait) and Simple Rod. The game asks you for five fish of this kind. Later on, you’ll be told to put Snappers through the Grinder, turn them into meat, and feed the Fuel Larva.
Softgrazers for Chromatic Scales
Softgrazers are peaceful fish. You can find them during the early hull-reinforcement task. Gill and Bozer supply the Wind-Up Tin blueprint and ask for three Softgrazers. What you should do next is to process them in the Thresher for Chromatic Scales. Check the fish names shown before you cast. This catch matters beyond its sale offer: Chromatic Scales also appear among the ingredients for Rainbow Fin. A stock of scales helps you move from early peaceful catches into predator fishing.
Harpooners and Bloodgills
Harpooners are predatory fish. You can catch them using Rainbow Fin as bait. Their early objective asks for three carcasses to feed Betsy, so keep the needed amount at hand so you can finish that task. Pay attention to the predator reel tutorial. It teaches you to reel only after the lure reaches the water. Unlike Snappers, Harpooners require an active lure presentation. Cast Rainbow Fin into the fishing spot and begin retrieving it through the water to attract a bite.
Bloodgills also require Rainbow Fin as bait. Their name needs to appear in the fishing spot, in the information box. Just know that a nearby Harpooner school does not become a Bloodgill school because you equip the same lure. Processing them provides Fish Meat and Jaws. Also, they become important during Father Matias’s quest, which involves raw essence.
Toadlings and Belly Bulges
Belly Bulges and Toadlings are a couple of weirdo fish schools. Together, they appear during a later fishing objective in the game. You’ll need to explore beyond the starting pier to locate their fishing spots. Belly Bulges inhabit shallow waters. Wind-Up Tin works for catching them, so you can use a lure you’ve already learned to craft when you did the Softgrazer quest.
You can find Toadlings in weedy shallows while using the Sturdy Earcrawler bait. Look for a fishing spot labeled Toadling. Both fish can take more room in your cargo hold than you’d expect. So yeah, I highly recommend making space before you head out, especially if you plan to bring back additional catches for materials or trade.
Other Known Fish
Oh you thought that was all? No! DREADMOOR has more species than the fish required for its early objectives. Some appear in later waterways, while others are worth seeking out for their processing materials or sale value:
| Fish | Info |
|---|---|
| Sharpfin / Sharp Fin | Peaceful, with dense fins and scales. Caught with Wind-Up Tin. |
| Gleamer | Bioluminescent and night-active. |
| Greaschar / Greasechar | Oily predator that yields grease. |
| Hornhead | Armored predators in deeper waters. |
| Rivetback | Armored deep-water predators. |
| Bone Scar / Bonescar | Armored deep-water predators. |
| Bully | Armored predatory fish. |
| Shovelnose | Has a nose literally in the shape of a shovel |
| Bristler | Dangerous, valuable predator. |
These species of fish give are good reasons to explore beyond the main quest route. Check the species information at each new fishing spot, especially when you enter unfamiliar waterways.
How to Catch Fish in DREADMOOR
Different types of fish require different methods. To catch a fish, you must first understand a fish!
Find a School and Choose Your Bait
Keep an eye out for splashes on the surface or fish jumping out of the water as you travel. Those mean active fishing areas are in that area. Move your boat close to the fish activity, approach the fishing position and interact with the spot. The interface displays information about the fish available there.
Pick a lure that works for the fish species you find in each spot. Earthworms work for the early Snapper task, for example, while Wind-Up Tin is used for peaceful species such as Softgrazer. Predatory fish like Harpooner require Rainbow Fin, on the other hand. To cast your rod, hold the cast control and aim toward the fishing activity. A longer hold increases the casting distance. Try to land the bait inside the active area instead of casting past it.
Catch Peaceful Fish
Peaceful fish are the easiest place to learn the fishing system. For instance, have Earthworm equipped, cast into the Snapper fishing spot and let the bait sit. That’s it. Excessive movement can scare the fish away, so avoid unnecessary mouse movement while you wait for a bite. When a fish takes the bait, begin the fight. Catch those slippery buggers!
Wind-Up Tin introduces a crafted bait option for peaceful species such as Softgrazer. The general principle is the same: get the lure into the correct fishing spot and let the fish approach it. Uh, peaceful doesn’t mean harmless, though. These fish can still put pressure on your line after they’re hooked. Don’t forget that part.
Catch Predatory Fish
Predatory fish are more feisty, alright? Equip that Rainbow Fin and cast it into a fishing spot containing Harpooner or Bloodgill. Start reeling after the lure reaches the water. If you leave the lure motionless, you may struggle to trigger a bite, so always be keeping that reel movin’.
Pay attention when a predator follows the bait. A controlled retrieval gives it the opportunity to strike, while a still reel might just put off the fish entirely. After the hook sets, switch your attention to the fish’s stamina and your line tension.
Control Fish Stamina and Line Tension
The fishing minigame revolves around two important indicators: fish stamina and line tension. When the fish pulls in one direction, move your rod against it to wear the fish down. This reduces its stamina and gives you better opportunities to reel.
Don’t hold the reel continuously while the fish fights at full strength. Excessive tension can snap your line and cost you the catch. Instead, reel when the line can handle the pressure and ease off when tension becomes dangerous.
A tired fish will eventually recover stamina if you give it too much time. Use those short periods of exhaustion to pull it closer, then complete the landing prompt when it reaches your boat. The trick is to balance the pressure. Pull too hard and you lose the fish. Give it too much freedom and you’ll spend half the afternoon fighting the same Snapper.
DREADMOOR Bait and Fishing Upgrades
Remember when I said good bait means a good catch? Well, Better bait, better catch. Better baits unlock opportunities to catch different species. Your rod, reel and line also each influence the fishing fights (when you use your rod to reel them in).
Starter Bait and Lure Ingredients
| Bait | Main Use | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|
| Earthworm | Starter Snapper bait | Found during the tutorial; no crafted recipe established |
| Wind-Up Tin | Softgrazer; also works for Belly Bulge | Metal Plate and Fish Meat |
| Rainbow Fin | Harpooner and Bloodgill | Fish Meat, Metal Plate and Chromatic Scales |
As I said above, Wind-Up Tin becomes available during the Softgrazer objective, while Rainbow Fin unlocks when you first encounter predatory fishing. Fish Meat is important because it’s needed for crafting bait and feeding the Fuel Larva. Keep some in reserve before you leave the Trading Post. There’s nothing more annoying than reaching the right fishing spot and finding out you used your last precious piece of meat to make fuel. Definitely not speaking from first-hand experience.
Advanced Lures
| Lure | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sturdy Earcrawler | Advanced peaceful-fish bait; very useful for Toadling |
| Deadly Tick | Spring-loaded predatory lure |
| Burning Belly | Higher-tier vibrating or luminous lure |
| Mutant-X | Higher-tier artificial lure |
Sturdy Earcrawler becomes more useful when the peaceful fish become harder to catch. Deadly Tick provides another (improved) option for predatory fishing, while Burning Belly and Mutant-X are each even more advanced than the ones before. Your lures also have durability. They wear down through use, so a single crafted lure won’t necessarily last throughout a long trip. Bring spare bait when you travel into new waters, especially, ESPECIALLY if you’re searching for a specific quest fish.
Rods and Tackle Upgrades
Yeah, the Simple Rod might help if you were an Old Man at the Sea, but if you’re in it for the money and take your business seriously, ya just have got to upgrade. DREADMOOR offers you improved gear like the Reinforced Rod and Coral Fishing Rod. Line options include Braided Line and Armored Fishing Line, while reels such as the Baitcasting Reel and Drag Reel provide extra tackle choices. You can unlock upgrades via the game’s research progression and craft the necessary equipment with collected materials.
I recommend improving your line before you commit heavily to tougher predatory fish. Trust me, learning how to manage tension is important, but stronger tackle gives you more room to recover from a bad pull, and bad pulls don’t happen rarely.
What to Do With Your Fish
Good question. The world is your oyster. Take a gander and see what you can actually do.
Keep Fish for Quests and Materials
| Fish or Material | Use | Important Details |
|---|---|---|
| Snapper | Opening five-fish objective; Fish Meat for fuel | Follow the active quest before selling or processing the catch |
| Softgrazer | Chromatic Scales | Process three Softgrazers in the Thresher for the early objective |
| Chromatic Scales | Hull reinforcement and Rainbow Fin crafting | Reserve enough for your next upgrade or lure |
| Harpooner | Early quest for Betsy | Three carcasses are requested; keep them intact until the hand-in |
| Bloodgill | Raw-essence quest; Fish Meat and Jaws | Quest requirements differ from ordinary processing outputs |
| Belly Bulge and Toadling | Later fishing objective | Keep the required fish until the objective is completed |
| Mutant Fish Meat | First-Aid Kit crafting | Ingredient named alongside a hinge and alcohol; exact quantities need confirmation |
Turn Fish Meat Into Boat Fuel
DREADMOOR uses this awesome mechanic. It has a biological fuel system that functions becuase of the Fuel Larva. After catching fish such as Snapper, put them through the Grinder and process them into Fish Meat. Feed that meat to the Fuel Larva to produce fuel for your boat.
Sell Extra Fish
Selling fish is a useful source of money, especially when you’ve already collected the materials required for your next upgrade.
Gill handles fish trading after the relevant story progression unlocks the option. Different catches can have different values. Fish also have individual characteristics such as weight and star ratings, so inspect the offer before selling. Toadling was my favorite trade material; I received an offer of 76 for one specimen from a merchant.
Rare Fish and Night Fishing
Since the game has a day-and-night cycle, the fish are also affected by the time of the day you go fishing. Let me give you an example, some fish encounters depend on particular conditions. Rare fish are a reason to revisit fishing grounds rather than assume you’ve seen everything an area has to offer.
Gleamer is one of the more fun fish to catch because of its bioluminescent appearance. It’s an easy fish to keep an eye out for while exploring darker waterways. Mutated fish schools are another reason to pay attention to the time. They have a higher chance to spawn at night.
Night fishing comes with its own price, though. Fog can obscure the environment, and hostile creatures make longer trips more dangerous. Keep an eye on your position and fuel supply before you head into unfamiliar territory after dark. A rare fish isn’t really worth it if you can’t get the boat home.
How many fish are there in DREADMOOR?
Well, as of November 10, 2026, we got: Snapper, Softgrazer, Harpooner, Bloodgill, Sharpfin, Gleamer, Toadling, Belly Bulge, Greaschar, Hornhead, Rivetback, Bone Scar, Bully, Shovelnose and Bristler.
Why did a fish disappear?
Funny thing is, predatory fish can eat other fish stored in your cargo hold. Check how you’ve arranged your catches, especially if you’ve mixed aggressive species with peaceful fish. DREADMOOR also includes a fish thief event at the pier. The event’s occurrence has a chance of 80%.
Can you keep fishing after the story?
Yup. Finish the story and keep fishing to your heart’s content.
