Key Highlights:
- Fish traps require 25 sticks and work best when placed where fish are visibly swimming.
- Kelvin can fish without traps and is a reliable early-game food source.
- Cooked fish offers strength buffs, while dried fish lasts indefinitely when stored on a drying rack.
Managing hunger is a constant challenge in Sons of the Forest, and fish are among the most efficient and accessible food sources.
Quick Links:
Whether you’re just starting out or planning for long-term survival, knowing how to catch and preserve fish can significantly improve your stamina management and reduce time spent foraging.
Here’s how to use fish traps effectively, along with alternative methods and preparation tips.
How to Craft and Place a Fish Trap in SOTF
To build a fish trap, gather 25 sticks, which can be picked up near trees or obtained by cutting down saplings. Alternatively, instruct Kelvin to collect them for you, freeing you up to scout a fishing location.
Once stocked with sticks:
- Open the Build Handbook by pressing B
- Navigate to the Traps section
- Select the Fish Trap blueprint and place it where fish are visible in a river, pond, or shoreline
- Use E to add the sticks and finish construction
Fish traps are not location-agnostic, you need to visually confirm fish are swimming in the water before placing the trap. If the area looks inactive, try another part of the same body of water or move upstream.
How Fish Traps Work and What to Expect
Once placed, fish traps passively catch fish over time, requiring no bait or manual resets. Return to the trap after about 5–10 minutes of in-game time to collect the fish inside. Each trap can catch one fish at a time, and you can harvest from it repeatedly throughout the day.
You can hold up to three fish in your inventory. For faster collection, consider placing multiple traps or alternating between traps and Kelvin’s assistance.
Alternative Fishing Method: Using Kelvin
If crafting a trap is not viable, or you need fish quickly, ask Kelvin to fetch them directly.
Open the notepad and command him to “Get Fish” and either “Drop Here” or “Give to Me.” He’ll crouch near any water source and begin grabbing fish one by one.
Kelvin’s method is useful when you’re in transit or haven’t established a base yet. He can also continuously fish until given another command, making him a dependable food supplier early on.
Quick Note: Another alternate way to catch when fishing is to use the Crafted Spear, this is the traditional way but will take up far too much of your time and we advise against this technique.
Best Ways to Prepare Fish: Cooking vs. Drying
Once you’ve caught fish, there are two primary ways to prepare them:
| Method | Benefit | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking | Immediate strength boost | Short-term |
| Drying | Infinite shelf life, ideal for storage | Long-term |
To cook fish, build a fire and (optionally) use a cooking pot – found in campsites to unlock extra recipes. Cooked fish grants a strength buff, but it spoils faster.
To dry fish, construct a Drying Rack from the Build Handbook using sticks and rope. Hang fish to dehydrate them for indefinite preservation, making this the best method for stocking up before long expeditions.
Once Virginia warms up to you, she might surprise you by delivering a fish. She announces herself with a soft coo before laying the fresh catch on the ground in front of you.
Both Kelvin and Virginia can access the drying rack to feed themselves passively.
Build your fish traps in active water zones near your base for consistent food returns, and supplement with Kelvin’s fishing when travelling. Combine a drying rack with a few traps, and you’ll rarely run short on high-quality food, no fishing rod required.