Fishing

While Termina faces the imminent threat of a falling moon, some citizens still find solace in the tranquil act of fishing. In Majora's Mask, fishing offers a relaxing diversion and, for the dedicated angler, a few unique rewards. Unlike some other Zelda titles, fishing here is a more straightforward affair, focusing on the thrill of the catch rather than overly complex mechanics. This guide will detail everything you need to know to become a master angler in Termina.

Acquiring the Fishing Rod

Unlike many other games where you rent a rod, Link uses his own, which he earns through a specific questline. You cannot fish until you have obtained this crucial item.

Complete Woodfall Temple: Your first major step is to successfully navigate and complete the Woodfall Temple, defeating Odolwa and cleansing the poisoned Southern Swamp. This will restore the swamp to its natural state.
Visit the Swamp Fishing Hole: After the swamp is cleansed, head to the Swamp Fishing Hole building. It's located in the Southern Swamp, near the boat cruise dock.
Speak to the Fisherman: Inside, speak with the fisherman who runs the establishment. He will be grateful for your efforts in purifying the swamp. As a token of his appreciation, he will gift Link his personal Fishing Rod. This rod will automatically be added to your inventory and can be assigned to an item slot (C-button or touch screen in 3DS).

Once you have the Fishing Rod, you are ready to begin your angling adventures!

Fishing Locations and Costs

Termina offers two distinct fishing locations, each with its own unique fish and rewards. The cost of entry varies between the Nintendo 64 and Nintendo 3DS versions of the game.

Swamp Fishing Hole (Southern Swamp)

Location: Southern Swamp, near the boat cruise dock.
Access: Accessible after cleansing the Southern Swamp by completing Woodfall Temple.
Entry Cost (N64):
- First session: 20 Rupees
- Subsequent sessions: 10 Rupees
Entry Cost (3DS):
- All sessions: 50 Rupees
Fish Types: Primarily freshwater fish, including the elusive Legendary Loach.
Rewards: Rupees, and potentially a Piece of Heart for catching the Legendary Loach.

Ocean Fishing Hole (Great Bay Coast - 3DS Only)

The 3DS version introduces a second, saltwater fishing location with different species and challenges.

Location: Great Bay Coast, inside the Marine Research Lab.
Access: Accessible after completing Great Bay Temple and restoring the ocean's clarity. You'll need to speak to the scientist inside the Marine Research Lab to gain access to the back room where the fishing hole is located.
Entry Cost (3DS):
- All sessions: 50 Rupees
Fish Types: Various marine fish, including the Legendary Seahorse.
Rewards: Rupees, and potentially a Piece of Heart for catching the Legendary Seahorse.

The Art of the Cast and Reel

Fishing in Majora's Mask is intuitive, but mastering the technique for larger fish requires practice.

Equip the Fishing Rod: Assign your Fishing Rod to an item slot (C-button on N64, touch screen on 3DS).
Find a Spot: Walk to the edge of the water. You can cast from almost anywhere along the bank. Look for areas with visible fish shadows or ripples.
Cast Your Line: Press the assigned button to cast your line. Hold the button longer to cast further. Aim to land your lure near or slightly in front of a fish's shadow.
The Bite: When a fish bites, your controller will vibrate (if rumble is enabled), and the bobber will dip significantly. Quickly press the assigned button again to set the hook!
Reeling In: Once hooked, continuously press the assigned button to reel in your catch.
- Manage Line Tension: Watch the tension on the line. If it turns red, you're pulling too hard, and the line is at risk of breaking. Briefly release the button to reduce tension, then resume reeling.
- Fish Struggles: Fish will struggle and try to swim away. When they pull hard, you might need to stop reeling and let them tire themselves out for a moment before continuing.
- Directional Pull (3DS): In the 3DS version, you might need to subtly adjust the direction of your joystick (or D-pad) opposite to the fish's pull to help guide it in, similar to real fishing.
Landing the Fish: Keep reeling until the fish is close enough to be automatically pulled out of the water. The attendant will then measure your catch.

Types of Fish and Rewards (N64)

The N64 version focuses solely on the Swamp Fishing Hole.

Small Fish: Common and offer no special rewards. Good for practice!
Medium Fish: Slightly larger, still mostly for sport.
Large Fish: Catching a particularly large fish (often indicated by a bigger shadow) can sometimes earn you a few extra Rupees from the attendant.
The Legendary Loach: This elusive fish is the ultimate prize. It's much larger than other fish and can be difficult to reel in. Catching the Legendary Loach will often earn you a significant Rupee reward or even a Piece of Heart!

Strategy for the Legendary Loach (N64)

The Legendary Loach is the pinnacle of fishing in the N64 version. Here's how to increase your chances of landing this monster:

Identify the Loach: Scan the water carefully for the biggest, darkest, and often most solitary fish shadow. These are usually the Loaches. They tend to patrol specific areas of the pond.
Patience is Key: Loaches are finicky. You might need to cast your line near them multiple times before they show interest. Don't cast directly on top of them; aim slightly ahead of their path.
Lure Placement: Try to land your lure just a little bit in front of the Loach's path. Sometimes, letting the lure sit for a moment before gently twitching it can entice a bite.
Master the Reel: The Loach puts up a fierce fight. Be prepared to alternate rapidly between reeling (pressing the button) and releasing the button to manage line tension.
- Red Line: If the line turns red, immediately stop reeling until it returns to white or yellow. Continuing to reel on a red line will almost certainly break it.
- Fish Direction: Pay attention to the direction the Loach is swimming. If it's pulling hard in one direction, try to apply a slight counter-pressure (though less pronounced than in the 3DS version).
- Tiring Out: Sometimes, letting the Loach make a strong run and then stopping reeling will tire it out, making it easier to reel in afterward.
Time of Day (Unconfirmed): Some players report better luck catching larger fish during specific times of day (e.g., early morning or late evening within the three-day cycle), though this is not definitively confirmed by in-game mechanics. Experiment to see what works for you!
Reward: Successfully catching the Legendary Loach will earn you a Piece of Heart from the attendant. This is one of the more challenging Pieces of Heart to acquire.

Types of Fish and Rewards (3DS)

The 3DS version significantly expands the fishing experience with more fish types and two distinct locations.

Swamp Fishing Hole (3DS)

The Swamp Fishing Hole in the 3DS version features several freshwater fish, some of which are unique to this location.

Small Fry: Common, small fish. Good for practice.
Piranha: A more aggressive, medium-sized fish.
Hylian Loach: A larger, more challenging freshwater fish.
Poe Fish: An unusual, ghostly fish that appears under specific conditions (e.g., at night).
Legendary Loach: The ultimate prize of the Swamp Fishing Hole, much like the N64 version.

Rewards: Rupees for various catches, and a Piece of Heart for catching the Legendary Loach.

Ocean Fishing Hole (3DS)

The Ocean Fishing Hole offers a completely different set of marine life.

Small Fry (Ocean): Common, small saltwater fish.
Seahorse: A unique, graceful marine creature.
Octorok: A familiar enemy from the Zelda series, surprisingly catchable here.
Hyrule Bass: A larger, more common saltwater fish.
Legendary Seahorse: The ultimate prize of the Ocean Fishing Hole.

Rewards: Rupees for various catches, and a Piece of Heart for catching the Legendary Seahorse.

Strategy for Legendary Fish (3DS: Loach & Seahorse)

The strategies for catching the Legendary Loach and Legendary Seahorse in the 3DS version are similar, requiring patience and refined technique.

Locate the Legend: Both legendary fish are significantly larger than others and often have unique, distinct shadows. They tend to patrol specific, deeper areas of their respective ponds.
Lure Placement: Cast your line carefully. Aim to land the lure just a little bit in front of the legendary fish's path. Avoid casting directly on top of them, as this can scare them away.
Patience and Observation: Legendary fish are cautious. You may need to cast multiple times. Observe their movement patterns. Sometimes, a gentle twitch of the lure (by slightly wiggling the circle pad) can entice a bite.
The Fight: Once hooked, these fish put up an intense struggle.
- Reel and Release: Continuously press the reel button, but be ready to release it immediately if the line tension turns red.
- Directional Pull: This is crucial in the 3DS version. When the fish pulls in a certain direction, gently push the Circle Pad in the opposite direction. This helps to tire the fish and guide it towards you.
- Big Runs: Legendary fish will make powerful runs. During these, it's often best to stop reeling entirely, maintain directional pressure, and let them tire themselves out. Resume reeling once their resistance lessens.
- Don't Give Up: These fights can be long and challenging. Keep your focus, manage your line tension, and apply counter-pressure.
Specific Conditions (Poe Fish): For unique fish like the Poe Fish in the Swamp Fishing Hole (3DS), remember that they only appear at night. Adjust your fishing time accordingly using the Song of Double Time.
Rewards: Successfully catching the Legendary Loach (Swamp) and the Legendary Seahorse (Ocean) will each earn you a Piece of Heart from the respective fishing hole attendants.

Why Fish?

Beyond the simple enjoyment, fishing in Majora's Mask offers tangible benefits:

Rupees: Catching larger fish, especially in the 3DS version, can net you a decent amount of Rupees, which are always useful for purchasing items, masks, or services around Termina.
Pieces of Heart: Successfully catching the Legendary Loach (N64 & 3DS) and the Legendary Seahorse (3DS) are direct requirements for obtaining valuable Pieces of Heart, contributing to your overall health meter. Consult the "Pieces of Heart" section of this guide for specific details on which catches yield these valuable items.
Relaxation: In a game as intense and time-sensitive as Majora's Mask, a quiet fishing session can be a welcome and much-needed break from the impending doom. It's a chance to unwind and enjoy the serene side of Termina.
Completion: For completionists, catching all fish types (especially in the 3DS version) and acquiring all Pieces of Heart is a rewarding endeavor.

So grab your rod, head to the nearest fishing hole, and see what aquatic wonders await! Happy fishing, hero!