Complete guide to fish species in Hooked: Crestwater Bay, including habitats, behaviors, and catching tips.

Fish Species Guide

Crestwater Bay is home to authentic fish species native to Hudson Bay, Canada, with more to unlock as you progress. Each species has unique behaviors, preferred conditions, and catching requirements. This guide will help you identify and catch the fish in the game.

Screenshot: The Journal app showing your caught fish collection

Understanding Fish Stats

Each fish has the following characteristics:

Size Range - Typical weight range you'll encounter
Rarity - How common the species is (Common, Uncommon, Rare)
Fight Rating - How hard the fish fights (1-5 stars)
Best Time - Optimal time of day for catching
Preferred Depth - Where the fish typically feeds
Best Tackle - Most effective tackle types
Favorite Bait - Preferred bait options

Crestwater Dock Species

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Overview: A small, colorful panfish perfect for beginners. Yellow Perch travel in schools and are active throughout the day. Their distinctive yellow coloring with dark vertical bars makes them easy to identify.

Stats:

Size Range: 0.5 - 1.5 lbs
Rarity: Common
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐
Best Time: All day, peak at midday
Preferred Depth: Shallow to medium (2-8 ft)
Best Tackle: Hooks, Jigs, Small Crankbaits
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers, Minnows

Catching Tips:

Easiest fish for beginners
Found near docks and structures
Bite quickly and fight moderately
Great for practicing hook timing

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Overview: An aggressive fighter known for aerial acrobatics. Smallmouth Bass are opportunistic predators that strike hard and fast. They're a favorite among anglers for their spirited fights.

Stats:

Size Range: 1 - 4 lbs
Rarity: Common
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and dusk
Preferred Depth: Shallow to medium (3-12 ft)
Best Tackle: Spinnerbaits, Crankbaits, Topwater Poppers
Favorite Bait: Crayfish, Minnows, Soft Plastic Worms

Catching Tips:

Strikes aggressively on first cast
Jumps during fights - maintain tension
Found near rocky structures
Use reaction baits for best results

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Overview: An apex predator with razor-sharp teeth. Northern Pike are aggressive, fast, and grow to impressive sizes. They're ambush hunters that strike with explosive force.

Stats:

Size Range: 3 - 10 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: All day, peak in morning
Preferred Depth: Medium (5-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Spinnerbaits, Large Crankbaits, Jigs
Favorite Bait: Minnows, large presentations

Catching Tips:

Extremely powerful initial runs
Let them tire before applying pressure
Can break weaker lines easily
Found near vegetation and drop-offs

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Overview: A bottom-feeding species that's often overlooked but fun to catch. White Suckers are peaceful fish that vacuum the lake bottom for food.

Stats:

Size Range: 1 - 3 lbs
Rarity: Common
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐
Best Time: All day
Preferred Depth: Bottom (8-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Hooks, Jigs (bottom contact)
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers, Stale Bread

Catching Tips:

Slow, deliberate bites
Fish on or near bottom
Gentle fight, easy to land
Good for earning money when action is slow

Miller's Creek Species

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Overview: A beautiful cold-water species with vibrant coloring. Brook Trout are native to clear, cold streams and are highly prized by anglers for their beauty and table quality.

Stats:

Size Range: 0.5 - 2 lbs
Rarity: Common (Miller's Creek)
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and dusk
Preferred Depth: Shallow to medium (2-10 ft)
Best Tackle: Small Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Hooks
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers, Minnows

Catching Tips:

Prefers cold, clear water
Active feeders in spring and fall
Jumps occasionally during fights
Found in faster current areas

Arctic Char

Salvelinus alpinus

Overview: A cold-water specialist related to salmon and trout. Arctic Char are beautifully colored fish that thrive in the coldest waters of Crestwater Bay.

Stats:

Size Range: 2 - 5 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and overcast days
Preferred Depth: Medium to deep (8-20 ft)
Best Tackle: Deep Diving Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits
Favorite Bait: Minnows

Catching Tips:

Most active in cold water and winter
Strong, sustained fights
Found in deeper pools
Requires patience and proper depth

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Overview: A large, deep-water predator. Lake Trout are the trophy fish of cold northern lakes, growing to impressive sizes and living for decades.

Stats:

Size Range: 3 - 8 lbs
Rarity: Rare
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and overcast conditions
Preferred Depth: Deep (15-30 ft)
Best Tackle: Deep Diving Crankbaits, Jigs
Favorite Bait: Minnows

Catching Tips:

Stay deep - rarely in shallow water
Long, powerful fights
More active in cold seasons
Trophy-sized specimens require upgraded equipment

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Overview: A nocturnal predator with excellent low-light vision. Walleye are highly sought after for their challenging nature and excellent taste.

Stats:

Size Range: 2 - 6 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dusk and night
Preferred Depth: Medium to deep (10-20 ft)
Best Tackle: Jigs, Crankbaits (natural colors)
Favorite Bait: Minnows, Nightcrawlers

Catching Tips:

Most active at dusk and after dark
Subtle bites - watch carefully
Steady, head-shaking fights
Use slower presentations

Species Found in Both Locations

Trout (Generic)

Salmonidae family

Overview: General trout species that can be found throughout Crestwater Bay. Includes various trout types that don't fit the specific Brook or Lake Trout categories.

Stats:

Size Range: 1 - 3 lbs
Rarity: Common
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and dusk
Preferred Depth: Shallow to medium (3-12 ft)
Best Tackle: Crankbaits, Spinnerbaits, Hooks
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers, Minnows

Cisco

Coregonus artedi

Overview: A schooling fish related to whitefish. Cisco are silvery fish that travel in large groups and feed on plankton and small organisms.

Stats:

Size Range: 0.5 - 2 lbs
Rarity: Common
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐
Best Time: All day
Preferred Depth: Medium (8-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Small Hooks, Jigs
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers, Small presentations

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus clupeaformis

Overview: A bottom-feeding species that grows to good size. Lake Whitefish are important commercial and sport fish in northern waters.

Stats:

Size Range: 2 - 5 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: All day, better in cold water
Preferred Depth: Medium to deep (10-25 ft)
Best Tackle: Jigs, Hooks
Favorite Bait: Nightcrawlers

Burbot

Lota lota

Overview: The only freshwater cod species. Burbot are nocturnal bottom dwellers with an eel-like appearance. They're most active in winter under ice.

Stats:

Size Range: 2 - 6 lbs
Rarity: Rare
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Night, especially winter
Preferred Depth: Deep (15-30 ft)
Best Tackle: Jigs, Bottom Rigs
Favorite Bait: Minnows, Nightcrawlers

Catching Tips:

Exclusively active at night
Fish on bottom in deep water
More common in winter
Unique appearance makes them easy to identify

Frosthollow Basin Species

Polar Trout

Salvelinus polaris

Overview: An extreme cold-water specialist adapted to sub-zero arctic conditions. Polar Trout have antifreeze proteins in their blood and dense, silvery scales for insulation. They're most active during ice fishing season.

Stats:

Size Range: 2 - 6 lbs
Rarity: Rare
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Midday (best light penetration through ice)
Preferred Depth: Deep (15-25 ft)
Best Tackle: Ice Jigs, Deep Diving Crankbaits
Favorite Bait: Minnows, Small Lures

Catching Tips:

Only available during winter at Frosthollow Basin
Fish under thick ice - timing is critical
Strong, sustained fights in cold water
Use specialized ice fishing tackle
Patience is key - they feed slowly in extreme cold

Breaker's Edge Species

Coastal Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

Overview: A robust saltwater predator found near coastal structures. Coastal Sea Bass have counter-shading (dark back, light belly) for camouflage and are aggressive strikers that defend rocky territories.

Stats:

Size Range: 1 - 4 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: Dawn and dusk
Preferred Depth: Medium (8-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Crankbaits, Jigs, Soft Plastics
Favorite Bait: Minnows, Shrimp, Small Fish

Catching Tips:

Only available at Breaker's Edge
Strikes aggressively near structures
Handle with care - saltwater corrodes gear quickly
Best during tidal changes
Strong fighters that use rocks for leverage

Drowned Grotto Species

Albino Cavefish

Astyanax mexicanus (cave adapted)

Overview: A blind, unpigmented fish species that has evolved in total darkness. Albino Cavefish lack eyes and pigmentation, using enhanced lateral lines to detect vibrations in the water. They're perfectly adapted to cave environments.

Stats:

Size Range: 0.5 - 2 lbs
Rarity: Rare
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐
Best Time: All day (no light cycle in caves)
Preferred Depth: Medium (8-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Sensitive Jigs, Small Hooks
Favorite Bait: Small Invertebrates, Worms

Catching Tips:

Only available in the Drowned Grotto
Extremely sensitive to vibrations - quiet approach required
Blind but uses lateral line - subtle presentations work best
Pale, translucent appearance makes them unique
Handle gently - adapted to dark, calm waters

Julian's Backyard Species

Pool Goldfish

Carassius auratus (wild adapted)

Overview: Domestic goldfish that have gone feral in the abandoned pool. These bright orange fish have adapted to artificial conditions, developing hardy constitutions and aggressive feeding behaviors. They're survivors in an unlikely environment.

Stats:

Size Range: 0.5 - 3 lbs
Rarity: Uncommon
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐
Best Time: Morning and afternoon
Preferred Depth: Shallow (2-6 ft)
Best Tackle: Small Hooks, Bread Bait Rigs
Favorite Bait: Bread, Processed Foods, Corn

Catching Tips:

Only available at Julian's Backyard
Surprisingly aggressive feeders
Bright colors make them easy to spot
Tolerate poor water quality well
Fun, easy catches for beginners

Rusthook Junction Species

Rust Pike

Esox lucius (industrial adapted)

Overview: A mutated northern pike strain that has adapted to heavily contaminated industrial waters. Their scales have developed a rusty brown coloration that camouflages them among submerged scrap metal, and they've developed enhanced immune systems to survive pollution.

Stats:

Size Range: 3 - 8 lbs
Rarity: Rare
Fight Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Best Time: All day (opportunistic feeders)
Preferred Depth: Medium (8-15 ft)
Best Tackle: Large Crankbaits, Topwater Lures
Favorite Bait: Live Bait, Cut Bait

Catching Tips:

Only available at Rusthook Junction
Extremely aggressive - largest strikes of any pike
Rusty coloration blends with industrial debris
Handle carefully - contaminated waters
Trophy-sized specimens possible
Exercise caution with consumption

Catch Rate Modifiers

Understanding what affects your catch rate:

Positive Factors

✅ Right time of day for species
✅ Correct depth for target fish
✅ Appropriate tackle and bait combination
✅ Overcast weather conditions
✅ Seasonal peak activity

Negative Factors

❌ Wrong time of day
❌ Incorrect depth
❌ Poor tackle/bait choice
❌ Bright sunny conditions (for some species)
❌ Off-season for species

Seasonal Availability

Spring

Best: Brook Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch Active feeding after winter

Summer

Best: Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass Fish move to deeper, cooler water

Fall

Best: Lake Trout, Arctic Char, Walleye Aggressive pre-winter feeding

Winter

Best: Burbot, Lake Trout, Whitefish, Polar Trout Cold-water specialists thrive; ice fishing unlocks new opportunities

Completing Your Journal

Track your catches in the Journal app:

Record first catch of each species
Track personal best (largest of each species)
View total catches per species
See catch locations and conditions

Tip: To complete your journal, focus on:

Visiting both locations
Fishing at different times of day
Trying various tackle and bait combinations
Adapting to seasonal changes

Good luck filling your journal with all the species in Crestwater Bay!