Zelda Ocarina of Time Fishing Pond Guide and Rewards
Master the fishing minigame to unlock rare items and upgrade Link's diving capabilities.
1Accessing the Fishing Pond
Players can access the fishing minigame by visiting the Fishing Pond located on the shores of Lake Hylia. After paying a small fee, you gain unlimited time to cast your line. This activity serves as a classic pastime within the game, offering specific rewards that are essential for full completion.
2Mastering Fishing Mechanics
To catch fish, aim and cast your line, then wiggle the lure to attract interest without spooking the prey. Once a fish bites, press ZR to hook it. You must angle your line in the direction the fish swims to prevent snapping, reeling only when the fish stops thrashing against the tension.
3The Sinking Lure Utility
After catching a fish at least 50cm long, a Sinking Lure spawns in random locations, including underwater. This red and yellow item sinks to the bottom, increasing your chances of hooking larger fish. However, any fish caught using this specific lure cannot be kept, serving purely as a fun gameplay challenge.
4Child Link Reward Path
During the early stages of the game as Child Link, your primary goal is to catch a fish measuring 50cm or longer. Upon successfully landing such a catch and exiting your session, you will be rewarded with a Piece of Heart, which contributes toward increasing your total health capacity for future encounters.
5Adult Link Reward Path
As Adult Link, the stakes increase, requiring a catch of 60cm or larger to earn the Golden Scale. This valuable item allows Link to dive deeper than previously possible. This upgrade is crucial for accessing hidden areas and underwater secrets located throughout the vast world of Hyrule during your main adventure.
6Additional Heart Piece Acquisition
Once you have obtained the Golden Scale as Adult Link, you can visit the Lake Hylia Laboratory. By performing a long dive in the laboratory tank, the resident scientist will reward your effort with an additional Piece of Heart, further boosting your survivability against the various enemies found in the game.
7Temporal Gameplay Differences
The fishing experience evolves as Link progresses through the story. Fish sizes increase significantly while Link is in stasis within the Sacred Realm, meaning the pond environment changes between the child and adult timelines. Players should revisit the pond during both stages to ensure they collect all available rewards and upgrades.
8Strategic Fishing Summary
Success in the Fishing Pond requires patience and precise control over the reeling mechanism. By balancing lure movement and line tension, players can secure both the Piece of Heart and the Golden Scale. These rewards are not merely cosmetic, as they provide tangible benefits that assist in exploring the game world effectively.
Original article: VGC — Zelda Ocarina of Time Fishing Pond Guide and Rewards