D&D 5E Running a fishing skill check

[ezo]

Fishing for Knucklehead Trout​

To fish for knucklehead trout on the lakes of Icewind Dale, a character needs fishing tackle and a rowboat. The former costs 4 gp (per the Player's Handbook), while the latter can be bought for 50 gp or rented for 2 gp per day. A character can fish on the ice instead of a boat, in which case a saw or similar tool is needed to cut a fishing hole through the ice.

At the end of each hour spent fishing on the lake, the character must make a DC 15 Wisdom (Survival) check. A failed check indicates no fish is caught during that hour. If the check succeeds, the character hooks a knucklehead trout (see appendix C) and must make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the fish's Strength check to pull it out of the water. The trout has advantage on its check. If the character fails the check, the trout escapes. A character who fails the check by 5 or more must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or be pulled into the frigid water (see "Frigid Water" below). A character who is pulled out of the water is dripping wet and continues to suffer the effects of the frigid water until the wet clothes are taken off and replaced with dry ones.

So, Wisdom (Survival) here anyway.

 

[Epic Meepo]

If it’s a question of rations, that’s covered by Survival.

If it’s just something to do, no check necessary.

If I remember, there was a fishing derby in Frostmaiden. Maybe yoink that.

If you want a simple contest, roll off. Everyone does a Survival check (or other stat+skill) and highest roll wins.

Huh. Sure enough, there are fishing rules in Frostmaiden. Good call.

(Rough summary: Each hour, DC 15 Survival to hook a fish, contested Athletics to pull it out of the water.)

Edit: Ninja'd by ezo

 

[Hriston]

Wisdom (Survival) covers fishing:

​

The DM might ask you to make a Wisdom (Survival) check to ... hunt wild game ...​

 

[Charlaquin]

So, Wisdom (Survival) here anyway.

Other than survival instead of perception, this tracks pretty closely with what I arrived at by walking through the basic play pattern, so I’d call that a pretty solid fishing rule. Survival makes plenty of sense here too; I’d personally say either option works.

 

[aco175]

I did see this when looking for that specific adventure.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think I'll go with the Survival roll suggestion, with a 10 being that they caught a minimal amount of fish, a 15 being that they caught a good amount of fish (which will distract the plesiosaur for one round) and a 20+ being that they caught enough fish to distract the plesiosaur for two rounds before it turns on their boat.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

In the end, enough people showed up for me to run Salted Legacy, so this back-up adventure didn't happen.

Thanks for everyone's help, though!

 

[aco175]

Word of the day toilet paper.

 

[bedir than]

In the end, enough people showed up for me to run Salted Legacy, so this back-up adventure didn't happen.

Thanks for everyone's help, though!

Moo Points are a Charisma (Survival) check

 

[Mistwell]

I'd run it as a skill challenge:

Skill Challenge: The Great Catch​

Goal: The players must successfully catch a set number of fish (or a particularly legendary fish) before time runs out or resources deplete.

DC: Use the standard formula of 9 + party proficiency bonus (adjust as needed for difficulty).

Success Condition: Players must achieve twice the number of successes as there are PCs before reaching their failure limit.

Failure Condition: The party fails if they accumulate failures equal to the number of PCs (e.g., 3 failures in a 3-PC group).

Context & Stakes:​

The players might be fishing for:

• A village fishing contest with a grand prize.
• A survival situation where they need to catch food before nightfall.
• A rare and mystical fish needed for a ritual, potion, or favor.
• A bet with a local fisherman who’s skeptical of their skills.

Failure might mean:

• Losing to a rival fisherman and facing their mockery.
• Going hungry (if it’s a survival situation).
• Angering a deity or spirit that demanded an offering of fish.
  
  
  

• Skill Uses (Examples & Ideas):​

  Each player must use a different skill each round, but multiple players can use the same skill at different times. Let them get creative!
  
  • Dexterity (Acrobatics or Sleight of Hand):
    
    • Quick reflexes to yank the line when a fish bites.
    • Using finesse to weave a net effectively.
    • Spearfishing with precision.
  • Strength (Athletics):
    
    • Wrestling a particularly large fish onto the boat.
    • Dragging in a heavy net full of fish.
    • Holding onto a fishing rod as a massive fish tries to escape.
  • Wisdom (Survival or Perception):
    
    • Reading the water to find the best fishing spots.
    • Tracking fish movements based on the time of day.
    • Noticing subtle signs of a fish lurking beneath the surface.
  • Intelligence (Nature or Investigation):
    
    • Knowing what bait will work best for a specific fish.
    • Understanding how to use water currents to their advantage.
    • Identifying a rare fish and using the right technique to lure it in.
  • Charisma (Persuasion, Deception, or Performance):
    
    • Boasting to other competitors to psych them out.
    • Making fish noises to attract them (if they can justify it!).
    • Performing an ancient fisherman’s chant to increase luck.

• ---

  
  

  Complications & Roleplaying Fun:​

  To keep things lively, add narrative twists each round:
  
  • A rival NPC fisherman taunts the players, trying to distract them.
  • A sudden rainstorm forces players to adjust their methods.
  • A big catch! Someone hooks something massive—will they reel it in or lose their line?
  • A mischievous creature (like a water sprite) steals bait or tangles lines.

• ---

  
  

  Conclusion:​

  • If they succeed, they pull in a legendary haul, win the contest, or catch the rare fish they need.
  • If they fail, they either come up empty-handed or get a consolation prize—maybe a boot instead of a fish!