How to fish in Dwarf Fortress

Dwarf Fortress is a legendary yet very tricky game where you are tasked with creating a mighty fortress to one day house the most noble of Dwarves. To get to that level, however, you’ll need to keep your Dwarves alive and healthy. There are many ways to get food, and you’ll be wanting to stockpile before winter hits. Fishing is a great way to feed you Dwarves during the other seasons to stockpile other food for the winter. Here is how to fish in Dwarf Fortress.

How to fish in Dwarf Fortress

Assigning Fisherdwarves and a fishing zone

In order to fish, a few things need to be in order. You need assigned fisherdwarves with traps as well as a spot to fish in.

Through the labour tab (press ‘y’) you can choose who becomes a fisherdwarf. Choose dwarves proficient in the task. Have at least two, but be sure to assign more if you population grows.

You will need to build a Carpenter’s Workshop in order to assemble animal traps, else they can’t go fishing.

Finally, press ‘z’ to open up the zones menu. Click on the fishing zone and assign one. Dwarves can also fish underground, you just have to be careful with handling water. Assigning a fishing zone can help you protect your dwarves from dangerous bodies of water.

Your fisherdwarves will now simply collect fish and stockpile it.

Related: How to grow plants in Dwarf Fortress

Preparing the fish

However, your dwarves can’t eat raw fish! You will have to prepare them into food.

Build a Fishery anywhere in your fortress. They can be located in farming section of the workshop menu in the building tab. Once placed, you fisherdwarves can be issued orders to catch live fish or to extract or prepare from raw fish.

Prepared fish can be consumed by your dwarves.

Keep an eye on Gamer Journalist for more gaming and Dwarf Fortress content, such as how to make a bedroom.