Buy a Strong Fishing Pole or Nat Pagle's Extreme Angler (+25) from the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza. Always use Bright Baubles/Strong Lures near your cap.
TBC Route (300-375)
Skill
Location
Notes
300-325
Zangarmarsh
Fangtooth Herring/Sporefish; very low junk rate.
325-350
Terokkar (lakes)
Use +75 lures; do not fish Highland pools yet.
350-375
Highland Mixed Schools (Terokkar)
Requires flying; yields Primal Water motes + Furious Crawdad.
Do the Old Man Barlo fishing daily near Shattrath for Sharpened Fish Hooks and rare pets. Master Fishing learned at 300 from any Outland fishing trainer.
WotLK Route (375-450)
Skill
Location
Notes
375-405
Borean Tundra / Howling Fjord
Nettlefish/Musselback Sculpin in coastal pools.
405-430
Dragonblight / Grizzly Hills
Glacial Salmon and Fangtooth Herring pools.
430-450
Sholazar Basin / Icecrown
Try Nettlefish pools or Dragonfin Angelfish (for Dragonfin Filets).
Grab the Dalaran fishing daily at 375 for Jewel of the Sewers coins, Weather-Beaten Fishing Hat, and +lure bobber. Grand Master Fishing learned in Howling/Borean/Dalaran.
Cata Fishing (450-525)
Skill
Zone/Source
Notes
450-500
Any Cata zone open water
Skill gain continues anywhere; catch Deepsea Sagefish for Cooking.
500-525
Twilight Highlands / Uldum pools
Fathom Eel and Highland Guppy pools feed raid food.
The capital fishing dailies (added in Cata) pay skill-ups, gold, and rare rewards. Volatile Water from fishing pools sells to crafters — fish pools whenever you pass one.
MoP Fishing (525-600)
Skill
Zone/Source
Notes
525-575
Any Pandaria water — Golden Carp
Golden Carp bites everywhere and always.
575-600
Krasarang / Valley pools — Emperor Salmon, Krasarang Paddlefish
Feeds the Way of the Steamer and feasts.
Join the Anglers dailies in Krasarang Wilds immediately — rep unlocks the Azure Water Strider (walk-on-water mount) and fishing gear. Find Nat Pagle there for his rare-fish reputation line.
Gear & Tips
Use the best lure you have (Aquadynamic Fish Attractor +100) near cap to reduce grey catches.
Keep a few Savory Deviate Delight for fun while leveling; they sell well in Classic.
Pair with Cooking to convert fish into profitable raid foods (Dragonfin Filet, Fish Feast).
Fish during off-hours to avoid empty pools. In WotLK, take Cold Weather Flying for Icecrown pools.
Level Faster with RestedXP
Fish in safe hubs while your RestedXP route sends you nearby for quests—zero wasted travel.