How do you fish in Valheim, and what are the best uses for fish in cooking?

Fishing in Valheim is a relaxing yet rewarding activity that provides a steady source of food for your Viking adventures. To start fishing, you’ll need to craft a Fishing Rod and acquire bait. The Fishing Rod is crafted at a level 2 Workbench using 8 Fine Wood, 4 Leather Scraps, and 2 Bronze Nails. Fine Wood is obtained by chopping down Birch or Oak trees, Leather Scraps come from Boars, and Bronze Nails are crafted from Bronze at a Forge. Once you have the Fishing Rod, you’ll need bait, which can be purchased from Haldor the Merchant in the Black Forest biome for 10 coins each.\n\nTo fish, equip the Fishing Rod and bait, then find a body of water such as a river, lake, or ocean. Stand near the water’s edge and left-click to cast your line. Aim for areas where fish are visibly swimming. When a fish bites, you’ll see a splash and hear a sound cue. Quickly left-click again to hook the fish, then hold the left mouse button to reel it in. Be careful not to let the tension bar fill up, or the line will break. Once the fish is close enough, press E to collect it.\n\nFish can be used in cooking to create some of the best food items in Valheim. Raw fish can be cooked on a Cooking Station or a Cauldron to make Cooked Fish, which provides 45 Health and 15 Stamina. However, the real value of fish comes from advanced recipes. For example, Fish Wraps are a high-tier food item made in the Cauldron using Cooked Fish, Barley Flour, and either Onions or Cloudberries. Fish Wraps provide 70 Health and 23 Stamina, making them ideal for challenging biomes like the Plains or Mistlands.\n\nOne common challenge players face is finding Haldor the Merchant to purchase bait. Haldor spawns randomly in the Black Forest biome, so exploring thoroughly is key. If you’re struggling to locate him, consider using a Cartography Table to share map data with friends or explore new areas systematically. Another challenge is managing stamina while fishing. To avoid running out of stamina, bring food items like Honey or Cooked Meat to replenish your stamina bar while waiting for a bite.\n\nFish are also useful for taming and breeding Wolves in the Mountain biome. Raw Fish can be fed to Wolves to tame them, and once tamed, they can be bred using more Raw Fish. This makes fish a valuable resource for players looking to build a Wolf army for defense or exploration.\n\nFor new players, fishing is a great way to secure a reliable food source early in the game. Cooked Fish is easy to make and provides solid stats for early biomes like the Meadows and Black Forest. For experienced players, advanced fish recipes like Fish Wraps or Serpent Stew (made with Serpent Meat and Honey) are essential for tackling endgame content.\n\nPractical tips for fishing include bringing a Portal to your fishing spot for quick access, using a Hoe to level the ground near the water for easier casting, and always carrying extra bait. Additionally, fish during the day for better visibility and avoid fishing in stormy weather, as waves can make it harder to spot fish. With these strategies, you’ll master fishing in Valheim and enjoy its many benefits.