The Fishing Hole

Located in Upper Zora's River, available as soon as you can enter the region in human form, the Fishing Hole is where you can - obviously - go to catch some fish, either by bobber and pole or by taking out a canoe and going lure fishing. Using your bobber you can catch all types of fish, except the Reek Fish which is only native to Zora's Domain. While in your canoe, though, not only will you not be able to catch Reek Fish but also no Greengills.

When you first enter the Fishing Hole, you should take notice of one major aspect that at first is hard to notice. The season is spring, with the Cherry Blossom tree in full bloom. However, if you leave and come back in, you can change the season to Summer, then Fall, and then Winter. This is important to consider since in each season, you are more likely to catch a different variety of fish more effectively.

If you are at the Fishing Hole interested in Bobber Fishing, you get an extra help boost in this area. If you are in need of some bait and have a few empty bottles, there are some quick catches in the Fishing Hole. If you check behind the signs that are posted, you will notice three small holes. Change into Wolf form and dig these areas up, and you will unearth worms! Also, behind the cabin, you can find an active Beehive that you can cut down and bottle up.

Canoe Fishing

You'll need some money if you are going to take the Canoe out. For first timers, Hena will charge you 20 Rupees for the canoe and her services. After that, the price is 20 Rupees going it alone or 100 if you want her as a guide!

The premise of lure fishing is simple. You will start out with three main lures: Swimmer Lure, Popper Lure, and Spinner Lure. Depending on which one you use, you will be able to catch certain fish much easier. Keep this one fact in mind, though. Lure fishing does NOT record your biggest catch in your Fishing Journal. However, you can view your catches in Hena's Fish Tank inside the cabin.

Seasonal Fishing Chart

Here are the seasons that the fish you can catch while Lure Fishing are easiest:

Spring - While these are the easiest fish to catch in any season, the Hyrule Bass is especially annoying during this season.

Summer - You can't really expect much difference during this season with the fish. However, if you are after the 27-inch Hylian Loach, this is the only season that he will appear.

Fall - Hylian Pike usually hang out around the waterfalls, but if it's Fall, you have a higher chance of catching one in a different area.

Winter - The Ordon Catfish loves the arch-way and the middle of the lake. They also love the cold, too, for some reason.

The Rollgoal Minigame and Frog Lure

There are two other types of Lures you can catch that are primarily important for catching the legendary 27-inch Hylian Loach. The first one, and the one considered legal in Hena's eyes, is the Frog Lure.

To receive the Frog Lure is simple... in theory. Just be sure to bring a LOT of money for this one. Once you enter Hena's hut, check along the back wall farthest from the counter. If you use your first person view you will find a wooden green box game. Stare at it and Hena will ask you if you would like to play her Rollgoal game for 5 Rupees.

The Rollgoal game is simple enough to understand. Get the marble from the first bowl into the second bowl while traveling along the narrow multi-colored plank. Board 1-1 is simple enough and you should be able to fly through it with ease. If you fail, Hena will ask if you would like to try again for another 5 Rupees.

Once you win, leave the cabin and re-enter for another board style. And so it goes. To receive the Frog Lure, you will have to complete boards 1-1 through 1-8. However, that isn't the highest level you can go. There are actually 8 levels in all, all with the same 8 board styles, only different conditions are set on the boards. If you are successfully in completing all of them not only will Hena fill your wallet, but you will be able to access any board style you like.

Yeah, sorry, don't think all of the boards are going to be as easy as 1-1. I wish I had some words of wisdom to give to you to excel at this game, but you're just going to have to beat it the same way that I did - pure dumb luck!

The Illegal Sinking Lure

So you are probably either extremely unlucky at Rollgoal, or you are having a hard time catching the Hylian Loach with the Frog Lure. While strictly prohibited, the Sinking Lure is very easy to find and makes catching the Hylian Loach a piece of cake.

So, what do you have to do in order to find the Sinking Lure? Simple: while lure fishing catch a Hyrule Bass, Hylian Pike and an Ordon Catfish, and then make sure they are in the tank in Hena's hut. Then, leave the Fishing Hole through the main door (DO NOT WARP OUT!)

Enter back inside, and go around the bank and past the wooden bridge and up to the edge of the grass. Face north and cast your line out. Do this several times until you receive the Lure. If you don't seem to be getting it, leave and re-enter the Fishing Hole again.

Now that you have the Sinking Lure, there is just one precaution you MUST take. If you have Hena in your canoe DO NOT equip the Sinking Lure. She will take it away AND NOT give it back.

Catching the Hylian Loach

Fortunately for you, catching the 27-inch Hylian Loach is a lot easier than it was in Ocarina of Time. Disappointingly so, actually. However, let's get to it. While you can quite easily catch Hylian Loaches with the bobber, the only way to catch the legendary is while Lure Fishing.

First, make sure the season is Summer!! Next, when renting a canoe, decide whether or not you want Hena along with you. If you plan on cheating with the Sinking Lure, it's best to just go it alone. Once you are in the canoe, head out for the north-most part of the lake, distinguishable by the absurd amount of lily-pads and frogs. If you watch the area closely enough, you will notice a splash every once in a while. That's your fish!

No matter what lure you are using, it's best to get as far into the lily pads as you can. This fish is going to give you a fight, so you don't want to make the line too long. While it can be tricky using the Frog Lure, I would almost recommend it, because while the Sinking Lure can easily hook and snare our prey, every fish within the lake will becoming after that thing - and there is nothing more frustrating than having a Hyrule Bass come up and take the line.

Once hooked, prepare for a long and arduous fight. However, perhaps the most frustrating part of it all is to have your finger on the button to land him at all times. When you see the button flash - you better hit it immediately. It has a VERY short landing time.

Even more disappointing than how easy it was to land this legendary fish is the disappointing prize. You only receive a photo of your capture up on Hena's wall and you can see the Loach swimming around in Hena's tank. However, don't try to model for the shot with a different tunic style. The photo shows you wearing Link's normal green tunic no matter what. Kinda very disappointing, really.

Bobber Fishing & Locations

In my eyes, fishing with only your pole is far more fun, especially since there seems to be a lot more random chance involved as well as some skill. However, that's just my opinion. While fishing in a canoe only offers you the reward of seeing your fish in a tank, attempting to catch a fish with your bobber will record a new high score in your Fishing Journal. There are six types of fish altogether that can be recorded into your journal: Greengills, Hylian Loaches, Hyrule Bass, Ordon Catfish, Hylian Pike, and Reek Fish.

While you can easily catch all of these, except the Reek Fish, in the Fishing Hole, there are other, maybe better, places to go fishing at. Below is the list of such locations and the possible fish that you may be able to bait.

• Ordon Village - The fist place that you will ever be able to fish. There is a small spring that flows through the village and deepens the farther out into a circular lake at the end.
  Available Fish: Greengills
• Upper Zora's River - Right outside the Fishing Hole itself you can fish in certain areas where the water is still.
  Available Fish: Hylian Pike, Greengills
• Zora's Domain - Home to the rarest fish in the game. And you can only catch fish in a certain place. Near the two rocks sticking up in the middle of the lake there is a small grassy bank. Climb onto there to cast your rod out. However, the only way you will be able to fish here is after a certain point in the game.
  Available Fish: Reek Fish
• Kakariko Village - Spring of Eldin - Facing the Spring of Eldin, there is a bombable rock to the right (GCN version). Follow the path and you will find a small pool above and behind the spring. Find a comfortable position around the edges to be able to do some leisurely fishing.
  Available Fish: Hyrule Bass
• Kakariko Village - Zora Grave - After a certain point in the game, you will be able to enter the Zora grave located in the Kakariko Graveyard. Inside is a small glistening pool that is absolutely full of fish.
  Available Fish: Greeengills, Hylian Loach
• Sacred Grove - Sure, it's almost impossible to get any fishing in while you are being chased by those annoying Puppets of Stalkid's. However, ever consider returning to this area just to wander around - and sink your hook into the deep pools?
  Available Fish: Greeengills, Hylian Loach - actually I only found ONE... Hahaha, he looked like such a lonely little fella, too!

If you notice any missing locations to fish or even a missing fish that can be caught in a location, don't hesitate to e-mail it to me at webmaster@mcloz.net.