Level TBC fishing in five bands: skill 1-75 in starting-zone and capital waters, 75-150 in the Barrens, Westfall or Wetlands, 150-225 in Stranglethorn Vale, 225-300 in Tanaris, Feralas or Azshara, and 300-375 in Outland, from Zangarmarsh to Terokkar Forest and Nagrand. Three unlocks gate the climb: the Expert book, Nat Pagle's quest and the Master trainer.
Fishing skill by zone: the quick route
| Skill | Where to fish | Unlock needed |
| 1-75 | Starting zones and capital cities (Elwynn, Durotar, Azuremyst Isle, Eversong Woods, Stormwind and Orgrimmar canals) | Apprentice, from any fishing trainer |
| 75-150 | The Barrens, Westfall, Loch Modan, Wetlands, Silverpine Forest | Journeyman, from a fishing trainer |
| 150-225 | Stranglethorn Vale coast, Desolace, Hillsbrad Foothills, Arathi Highlands | Expert: the fishing book sold by Old Man Heming in Booty Bay |
| 225-300 | Tanaris coast, Feralas, Azshara, Western Plaguelands, Felwood | Artisan: Nat Pagle's quest in Dustwallow Marsh |
| 300-375 | Outland: Zangarmarsh, then Terokkar Forest lakes and Nagrand | Master: the fishing trainer at Cenarion Refuge in Zangarmarsh |
- Cap: 375 (Master). Lures and better poles raise your effective skill, which cuts down on fish getting away in higher zones.
- Rule of thumb: once fish start getting away, your skill is too low for that water. Drop back to an easier zone until you've gained a few more points.
- Fishing pools (the swirling schools you can see) give useful catches. Normal open water still gives skill-ups, and gains slow down as each bracket goes on.
Where should I fish in Outland from 300 to 375?
Start in Zangarmarsh. It's the first Outland zone with plenty of water, it's where you train Master, and its pools give catches for cooking and alchemy. Hellfire Peninsula has very little water, so skip it.
When Zangarmarsh skill-ups slow down, move to the lakes of Terokkar Forest or the rivers of Nagrand. Both are good for the last stretch to 375. Some Outland spots, such as the high-end pools near Skettis, want more skill than the base cap, so lures and gear bonuses matter there.
How do I unlock Expert, Artisan and Master fishing in TBC?
Expert (150-225) is a book you buy from Old Man Heming on the docks of Booty Bay. Artisan (225-300) comes from Nat Pagle's quest in Dustwallow Marsh, which has you catch specific fish in several zones. Master (300-375) is trained in Outland at Cenarion Refuge in Zangarmarsh, so you can't finish fishing in the old world.
Can a fresh Blood Elf or Draenei level fishing at home?
Yes, for the first bracket. Eversong Woods and Azuremyst Isle both have plenty of water for skill 1-75. After that, the route is the same as for any other character: old-world zones up to 300, then Outland.
Should I level fishing before or after hitting 70?
Either works. Skill-ups don't depend on character level, only on the water you fish. Most players fish the 1-300 range while questing through old-world zones they're already in. Outland fishing fits naturally once you reach Zangarmarsh, and it's safer at 70, when mobs along the shore no longer trouble you.
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