So you want to be a fisherman? Fishing is a mini-game that allows you to catch fish, which can be used with the cooking secondary skill. You can also catch fish that cannot be eaten but are instead useful for other Professions. You can even catch equipment and funny items. Fishing isn't for everyone. You'll discover that it requires a lot of patience and time to build your skill level up to the maximum level. Fishing is the only trade skill that you can't do while exploring and killing monsters. Since you're basically standing around, you're not gaining experience or other loot. So this development can put your leveling behind, unlike some other Professions. Fishing is great for people who just want to relax and chat while playing. For those who enjoy a calm, relaxing way to play the game while finding useful items, fishing is the cat's meow.

First, you need to find a fishing trainer. Fishing trainers are usually located next to a lake or stream. If you see an NPC standing near the water, he's likely a fishing trainer or merchant. Ask around and people can help lead you to the fishing trainer. Once you have learned fishing, you need to go find yourself a fishing pole!

After you have trained in fishing, you need to go buy a fishing pole. Fishing poles can be purchased from merchants who sell items required for Professions ("trade merchants"). Ask other people where to find one, if you need help. After using your initial Fishing Pole, you can find better ones out there in the world. Check the Auction House for poles.

Fishing Skill
You can add more to your fishing skill by catching a special fish during the Stranglethorn Vale fishing contest. You can get an enchantment of +5 to your fishing pole as one of the rewards. You can get a Lucky Fishing Hat which is a prize in the Stranglethorn Fishing contest. You can win Nat Pagle's Extreme Angling' Boots which add +5 to fishing. You can get an enchantment to gloves which adds to fishing from an enchanter.

Fishing Outfits
If you want to dress like a fisherman (why wouldn't you!?!?!) you can get a Lucky Fishing Hat, Blue Overalls (made by Tailors), and Knitted Sandals (bought/dropped). You can find other cool items to fit the fisherman look.

Expert Fishing
To learn expert fishing you need to buy "Expert Fishing - The Bass and You." It costs one gold. It is available from Old Man Heming in Stranglethorn Vale at Booty Bay.

Artisan Fishing
To learn Artisan level you must be level 35 and have 225 fishing. Alliance players need to talk to Grimnur Stonebrand in Ironforge (The Forlon Cavern) while Horde players need to talk to Lumak in the Valley of Honor in Ogrimmar. Both quests send you to talk to Nat Pagle in Dustwallow Marsh. He's located in Tidefury Cove which is south west of Theramore Island. He sends you on a quest to collect four different rare fish throughout the world.

Other Tips

• You can sell cooked fish to other players. It's better than store-bought food.
• You can find cooking recipes for fish from certain merchants.
• Messages in a bottle have a chance of having a recipe in them.
• Some of the fishing zones are going to be pretty hard to fish in and will require bait and a good fishing pole.
• Some fish can only be caught at certain times of the day!