How to Fish in Rust
How to fish in Rust: craft a Fishing Rod, where to find or buy one, what bait to use, the best fishing locations, and what fish are worth catching.
Fishing was added to Rust in 2021 and remains the most reliable way to get a steady food supply once you have a Fishing Rod. Catches range from low-tier raw fish to crates with valuable loot.
Step-by-step
Get a Fishing Rod
Craft one at a Tier 1 workbench (200 wood + 100 cloth) once you have the blueprint, or buy one at Bandit Camp's Fishing Village vendor for ~30 scrap.
Get bait
Common bait: raw fish meat, worms (dig at small dirt mounds with a pickaxe), fruits/berries from your farm, or grub bait you find naturally. Higher-tier bait = better catches.
Find a fishing village or coast
Best spots: any of the three Fishing Villages (have docks built for fishing), or any deep-water coastal area. River fishing also works for some species.
Cast and hold
Equip the rod, hold left-click to charge cast distance, release to cast. Wait for a bite (rod will pull/shake). Press left-click again at the right moment to set the hook, then keep tension — pull back when the line slackens, ease off when it tightens.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a Fishing Rod?
Three ways: craft at T1 workbench (after you've learned the blueprint), buy from any Fishing Village vendor for ~30 scrap, or loot a fishing village crate. Buying is fastest if you have scrap.
What's the best bait for fishing?
Worms (dug from dirt mounds) and grub bait give the best general results. Specific species prefer specific bait — small fish bite worms, larger fish prefer grubs or small fish meat as bait.
Can you catch loot crates fishing?
Yes. Roughly 1 in 30 catches at deeper water can be a crate with components or basic loot. The vast majority are food fish.
Is fishing worth it for food?
Yes for solo players. A single 30-min fishing session can yield 10+ raw fish (~750 calories each cooked) — enough food for a full day of grinding. Cheaper than farming pumpkins early-wipe.