What to know
- Fishing spots are found along lakes and rivers, marked by visible bubbles and jumping fish.
- Use the new grappling hook mechanic to interact with fishing spots and pull loot from the water.
- The Coastal Bonescape near the Stockroom Silo is a top early-game fishing location.
- Catches include gear, weapons, and special items, but most results are common loot; legendary rewards are possible.
Even in a world painted by chaos, Borderlands 4 introduces fishing as a surprisingly chill way to snag weapons, complete challenges, or even uncover quirky fish-based grenades. Whether planning to farm for rare loot or just want a breather from boss fights, the fishing mechanic embodies a new blend of action and oddball fun.
Borderlands 4 fishing spot locations and how to use them
Fishing isn’t just “go to water and press a button.” There are particular spots and tricks that help you farm good loot.
Key fishing spot: Fishin' Spot near Stockroom Silo & Plungeford
The best-known location is just south and east of the Fishin’ Spot Point of Interest, close to the Stockroom Silo and Plungeford in Fadefields (where you start after the prologue).
Watch for bubbling water and occasional leaping fish, which signal active loot spots.
This spot is the recommended location to farm the legendary grenade Slippy. Use grapple on visible fish-spot indicators in the water.
Other fishable areas include inlets near The Stockroom Order Silo and the docks just after Claptrap’s outpost; respawning near lakes by checkpointing or returning to the main menu may trigger spots to appear.
For a structured overview of known spots based on recent community shares:
| Region/Sub-Zone | Description | Notable Loot Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Fadefields - Stillshore | Back of the fishing hut; accessible early after open world unlock | Common gear; ties into bounties |
| Fadefields - Fishin' Spot POI | South and east directions from central point | Rare fish for challenges; weapons |
| Gushing Turret Area | Lakeside edges with bubbles | Legendary grenades like Slippy |
| General Rivers/Lakes (Kairos-wide) | Any bubbling water patches | Variable; respawns via save-quit |
How to Engage with Fishing Spots Step by Step
The fishing minigame relies on your grappling hook, turning it into a dual-purpose tool for traversal and looting. It's straightforward but requires quick reflexes to avoid missing catches. Follow this detailed process to maximize your hauls.
Step 1: Approach and Identify the Spot
Scan bodies of water for bubbles or jumping fish indicators. Approach close enough for the prompt to appear—usually within grappling range. If you're in a vehicle or on a pier, dismount for better control. Early in the game, after unlocking the jetpack and grapple in the opening hours, head to Fadefields for your first spots.
Step 2: Deploy the Grappling Hook
Aim at the bubbling area and fire your grapple (default: right mouse button on PC, RT on consoles). This hooks into the spot, causing an item to pop out of the water and launch into the air. Multiple items might emerge quickly, so stay alert. Aim precisely to ensure a solid connection.
Sometimes, you may get nothing but rubbish emerge. But there's a way around it too. Simply aim at the spot and wait until the fishing hook icon starts to shake or pulse (sometimes even turns yellow). Then use your grapple exactly when that animation occurs. More often than not, you'll get good loot.
Step 3: Reel in the Catch
Immediately grapple the airborne item before it falls back or disappears—timing is crucial, as failed claims result in lost loot. If it's a soda can (the most common rubbish), it equips to your left hand as a cosmetic or throwable gag. Weapons or gear drop directly in front of you for pickup. Legendaries like the Slippy—a multi-splitting fish grenade—have a low drop chance here, but persistence pays off.
Pick up or equip your haul. For farming, save and quit to reload the area, respawning spots instantly. Track progress toward challenges like Go Outside, which rewards EXP, cash, Eridium, and ECHO-4 customizations upon catching enough rare fish. If aiming proves tricky, practice in low-stakes areas first.
This method not only nets loot but also uncovers easter eggs, such as the returning "Tannis on a Fish" achievement, triggerable right after entering the open world.
What you might get from fishing
Fishing can yield weapons (sometimes legendary), gear, customization items, or more ordinary loot. Completing the "Go Outside" fishing challenge awards experience, cash, Eridium, and customization rewards like ECHO-4 options. There’s a slim chance to land ultra-rare items, including the infamous Slippy fish grenade—a quirky weapon that’s both memorable and useful for melee builds.
Here’s a comparison of notable fishing spot rewards in Borderlands 4:
| Rarity / Type | Examples of what appears |
|---|---|
| Junk / common trash | Soda cans, low-value gear pieces |
| Gear / Weapons | Random weapons or gear of various rarities |
| Legendary or special items | “Slippy” grenade is a known drop from the Stockroom Silo fishing spot. |
Whether trying to snap up a legendary fish grenade or just filling out loot challenges, fishing spots in Borderlands 4 offer a fun, lighthearted distraction and a genuine way to earn gear outside standard combat. The mechanic is approachable for all players and rewards a keen eye—and maybe a bit of luck—while exploring the wild lakes and rivers of Pandora.
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