A Short Hike – Comprehensive Fishing Guide (Fishes, Locations, Quests and Achievements)

A guide about all things related to fishing in A Short Hike.

Complete Guide to Fishing in A Short Hike

Fishing Basics

Your first fishing rod

To begin the fishing activity, you must locate the non-player character, Bill the Hippo. He is situated at the dock adjacent to Meteor Lake. Upon initial interaction, he will provide the player with a fishing rod and instructions on the fishing mechanics.

The Pelican Captain

The Pelican Captain is located at the dock in the northeast region of Hawk Island. He exchanges coins for the first specimen of each distinct fish species brought to him. Subsequent trades of the same fish type yield bait as a reward. After the player delivers a minimum of three unique fish types, the captain provides a fishing journal.

This journal details all fifteen fish variants available for capture and offers hints for locating undiscovered species. Successfully trading all fifteen fish types to the Pelican Captain results in the acquisition of the Golden Rod, which enhances the probability of catching rare fish.

Bait

Bait is used to speed up the time it takes to catch fish, you’ll get your first set of bait from the camping cat after finding his camping permit and returning it to him. The Pelican captain will also give you bait in exchange for any fish you give him (excluding the first of each variant).

Fish Variants

As well as the regular fish you can also find three other special variants of most fish: Tiny, Big & the rare Albino variant.

Brook Trout

Often seen in deep blue or cold waters.

• Deep Blue Waters

Albino Brook Trout

Often seen in deep blue or cold waters.

• Deep Blue Waters

Spotted Brook Trout

I Usually see ’em in the shady blue waters, but they’re not hard to find.

• Blue Waters

Albino Spotted Brook Trout

I Usually see ’em in the shady blue waters, but they’re not hard to find.

• Blue Waters

White Perch

Known to prefer calm river waters.

• Calm Rivers

Albino White Perch

Known to prefer calm river waters.

• Calm Rivers

Yellow Perch

Usually seen in weedy water in Meteor Lake.

• Meteor Lake

Albino Yellow Perch

Usually seen in weedy water in Meteor Lake.

• Meteor Lake

Rainbow Trout

Usually found in deep blue waters.

• Deep Blue Waters

Actually Rainbow Trout

Usually found in deep blue waters.

• Deep Blue Waters

White Bass

I came down with a cold the last time I went looking for them.

• Frozen Waters

Pink White Bass

I came down with a cold the last time I went looking for them.

• Frozen Waters

Northern Pike

Bill is always catching these. He knows a good spot for them.

• Meteor Lake

Albino Northern Pike

Bill is always catching these. He knows a good spot for them.

• Meteor Lake

Crayfish

These little guys live in little waters.

• Small Ponds with Lilies

Albino Crayfish

These little guys live in little waters.

• Small Ponds with Lilies

Catfish

Only live in moving waters.

• Calm Rivers

Golden Catfish

Only live in moving waters.

• Calm Rivers

Burbot

They never settle down and prefer to live within the rushing rapids.

• Rapids/fast moving river water

Albino Burbot

They never settle down and prefer to live within the rushing rapids.

• Rapids/fast moving river water

Pumpkinseed Fish

I’ve only seen them in that little pond with the lilies.

• Pond with Lilies

Pumpkinseed Fish

I’ve only seen them in that little pond with the lilies.

• Pond with Lilies

Bluegill

I almost caught one of these in the little bay on the south end of the island.

• Southern Bay of Sid Beach

Albino Bluegill

I almost caught one of these in the little bay on the south end of the island.

• Southern Bay of Sid Beach

Common Carp

They prefer calm rivers or deep blue reefs.

• Calm Rivers
• Deep Blue Reefs

Albino Common Carp

They prefer calm rivers or deep blue reefs.

• Calm Rivers
• Deep Blue Reefs

Salmon

I’ve only seen them near the bottom of river waterfalls.

• Foot of River Waterfalls

Albino Salmon

I’ve only seen them near the bottom of river waterfalls.

• Foot of River Waterfalls

Fishing Locations

Meteor Lake

Found by following the trail to the Meteor Lake Lookout.

Blue waters

Any water that is in the middle gradient of blue.

Deep Blue Waters

Any water that is in the darker gradient of blue.

Deep Blue Reefs

Deep Blue waters that come near land.

Calm Rivers

Any slow moving water in a river.

Rapids/fast moving river water

Any fast moving water in a river.

Foot of River Waterfalls

Waterfalls that flow into oceans don’t count.

Pond With Lilies

The small pond with a tree inside of it next to the graveyard.

Small Pond with Lilies

In the Royal Ridge region of northwest Hawk Peak island.

Southern Bay of Sid Beach

Southern bay in the Sid Beach area.

Frozen Lakes

Lakes that are near Hawk Peak.

Fishing Related Quests / Achievements

Camping Permit

Near White Beach Trail you will find an illegal camping spot and a cat desperately looking for something, talking to the cat will reveal that he has lost his camping permit and he claims it has been eaten by a fish. By catching a few fish in Meteor lake you can find the permit in one of the fish. Returning his licence rewards you with bait.

The Fish Are Biting Today Achievement

This achievement is obtained by completing the fishing journal and trading all 15 variants of fish with the Pelican Captain. As a reward he will give you the golden fishing rod which attracts rarer fish and is apparently made of gold.