Dredge The Pale Reach Fish Guide

The Pale Reach’s fish fascinate me. Between its comfortably regular Ice-themed fish and the aberrations with elongated hands and horrifying fingers, the frozen biome kept me on edge for what I’d catch next.

And yet, while the region hosts some of the most valuable catches throughout Dredge, fishing while evading the region’s evil Narwhal can be nerve-wracking, often robbing us of our hard-earned catch or destroying us outright if we can’t get away. If we want to 100% our collection of the region’s fish, we’ll have to leverage some Eldritch powers of our own!

In this Dredge the Pale Reach fish guide, I’ll review where and how to collect the frozen biome’s new fish and aberration variants. As a bonus, I’ll detail each fish’s price and which to go after to maximize each catch.

Quick Facts

• Quest Locations: The Pale Reach
• Quest Giver: The Photographer
• Requirements: Glacial Lance, Sinew Spindle, Complex Crab Pot, and Radiant Trawl Net
• Length of Quest: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Medium

Ice Cold Evil Sushi

A series of ice creatures surrounding the corpse of a dead eldritch being, the Pale Reach’s fish is a swarm of frozen, generally more valuable variants with multi-limbed aberrations. Though they’re relatively easy to catch with midgame gear, most of the region’s fish fetch for excellent prices that can help meet the late-game money material grind.

While it can be worth catching all of the Pale Reach’s fish for novelty sake, catching every Fish comes with three achievements, notably From the Black Depths for catching the Colossal Squid, Polar Angler for fishing every Pale Reach fish, and Cold Corruptions for obtaining their aberrations. Between glimpsing their new variants, becoming the wealthiest fisherman of the Eldritch Seas, and 100%-ing Dredge‘s DLC, the Pale Reach offers a new round of fishing to keep us nice and frosty.

Before You Fish

Catching the Pale Reach’s fish is generally more accessible than in other regions. Unlike the other areas, we don’t have to research new rods or trawl nets to catch the area’s fish as the merchant in the region sells all of the fishing equipment we need, and the main quest rewards the most valuable trawl net in the game.

However, the region’s dangerous Narwhal punishes attempts to fish calmly, and the heavy amount of Ice can challenge attempts to navigate the icy biome. I highly recommend obtaining all three Icebreaker parts in the Central Camp, Western Bearing, and Eastern Terminus to break through the Ice more easily before catching every fish.

Likewise, we can repel the Narwhal by supplying its feeding spot at the life preserver on the southeastern edge of Central Camp Island with a complete set of fish, Ideally two Toothfish and four Icefish, to keep it at bay. Alternatively, we can leverage the banish ability on the frozen creature, which we obtain after giving the Collector the third relic piece.

Best Pale Reach Loadout

Rods:

• Glacial Lance (Price: 391; Types: Ice, Oceanic; Speed: 33%) – A short, three-bar length rod that allows fishing in Ice, the Glacial Lance’s superior speed and suitability for Ice make it an excellent choice for the region. Though its higher price may deter such a purchase, its small size allows it to fit with the Sinew Spindle to catch every type of fish in the icy biome. We can purchase the Glacial Lance from the Traveling Merchant in the Pale Reach.
• Sinew Spindle (Price: N/A; Types: Shallows, Coastal; Speed: 6%; Aberration Chance: 1.5%) – One of the first Eldritch pieces of equipment we can obtain, the Sinew Spindle is a coastal and shallows rod that only takes up two spaces. Though only one fish, Char, requires a coastal rod to catch, the Sinew Spindle also offers a slight increase in Aberration Chance to increase the value of our catches. We can obtain the Sinew Spindle by placing several cod in the fish Shrine on the Northern edge of Greater Marrow.

Crab Pot:

• Complex Crab Pot (Capacity: 5×4; Aberration Chance: 4%) – A fairly adequate crab pot for obtaining crustaceans, the Complex Crab Pot is a reliable pot for passive income. Though we’ll only have to catch two types of crustaceans to fulfill the Pale Reach’s list, obtaining their aberration variants can take several attempts. I recommend purchasing several crab pots to maximize our chances.

Trawl Net:

• Radiant Trawl Net (Price: N/A; Types: Ice, Coastal, Oceanic, Shallow; Area: 7×7, Aberration Chance: 5%) Arguably the most valuable piece of fishing equipment in the game, the Radiant Trawl Net is a massive net for catching high-level fish like Colossal Squids and their aberrations. I highly recommend leveraging the Radiant Trawl Net whenever possible to maximize our incoming; each haul can quickly bring in $200-$300 worth of fish.

Winches:

• Encrusted Talisman (Speed: 330%, Aberration Chance: 3%) A robust, easy-to-obtain talisman, the Encrusted talisman drastically increases our fishing speed while increasing our chance of obtaining aberrations. Though I still recommend the Radiant Trawl Net over the Encrusted Talisman for its increased hauls and aberration chance, the Encrusted Talisman is an acceptable alternative if we have yet to complete the Pale Reach’s main quest or want to focus solely on fishing with rods. We can obtain the Encrusted Talisman by trading two aberrations to the fish shrine in Devil’s Spine.

Lights:

• Flame of the Sky (Price: N/A, Range: 25m, Lumens: 3500ml) – Though obtaining takes some work, the Flame of the Sky is one of the most potent lights we can acquire, requiring only two light slots to function. Though I highly recommend this light, especially during the Pale Reach’s treacherous blizzards, the Flame of the Sky requires an abyssal rod to obtain, so I recommend deferring to a less powerful light instead if that’s out of our reach. To get the flame in the sky, we must gather three stone tablets from the Devil’s Spine found in the pools of glowing golden light, return to Little Marrow’s trader for a key, and head to the Devil’s Spine lighthouse to obtain the powerful light.

Engine:

• Refined Outboard Engine (Price: $270, Speed: 26.3) – A powerful engine in an L-shape, the Refined Outboard Engine is an excellent tool for evading the Narwhal’s pursuit. Though this engine loadout depends on how many engine slots we’ve unlocked, I highly recommend the Refined Outboard Engine as a reasonably early engine that usually allows for two on the boat for a total speed of 52.6. We can purchase the Refined Outboard Engine from the traveling merchant after researching the 2nd tier middle engine.
• Jet Drive Engine (Price: $270, Speed: 9.5) – A single slot engine for any free spaces we have, the Jet Drive Engine is a highly versatile engine excellent for making use of any slots we can’t fit a Refined Outboard Engine onto. Though the Jet Drive’s Engine is a final-tier technology that requires several research parts to unlock, it’s a valuable addition for evading the Narwhal if we can afford the price.
  Abilities

Abilities

• Banish – Sends aggressive fish and Eldritch Evils away for a short time; Banish is a powerful defense spell for fending off the Pale Reach’s Narwhal. I highly recommend using the spell when traversing the area around the Central Camp, then gathering several fish in the region and placing them by the life preserver Narwhal feeding spot to fish without putting yourself at risk. We obtain Banish after gifting the Collector the third Artifact from Dredge’s main story.
• Manifest – Transports us back to Blackstone Isle; when used with the Aurous Anchor, Manifest functions like a panic button, allowing us to leave a dire situation, rest and repair quickly, then return through the Aurous Anchor to the previous fishing spot. We obtain Manifest after Giving the Collector the first Artifact and the Aurous Anchor after finishing the Pale Reach’s main quest.

Best Pale Reach Fish

Composed of 10 fish, sharks, and crustaceans, The Pale Reach’s Fish are some of Dredge‘s most profitable catches. While several fish require different equipment, notably a coastal rod for Char and a Trawl net for Stargazers, we can leverage an ice-type rod to catch most of these fish.

Still, if you’re lost on where to locate the goblin shark or how to catch a Colossal Squid or want to know the more worthwhile fish to acquire for their money, I’ll review each Pale Reach fish here:

10. Sea Stars

• Depths: 50m
• Price: $12
• Boat Equipment: N/A
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Pot
• Time of Day: Night/Day

A cheap and easy-to-acquire invertebrate, sea stars are a collection of starfish and other star-shaped creatures found by fishing with crab pots. Though I don’t recommend catching the fish purely for selling, we must catch the Sea Stars aberration to satisfy the first of The Figure in White’s pursuit. As such, I recommend casting several crab pots in the starting area by the traveling merchant to quickly check and satisfy the Figure’s request.

Aberration:

• Fallen Stars (Price: $40): A malformed sea creature with seven grasping fingers, the Fallen Stars are a series of invertebrates merged into a single appendage that sells for slightly more. I recommend storing some ice in the boat once we catch Fallen Stars to satisfy the Figure in white’s pursuit without worrying about the fish decaying.

9. Char

• Coordinates: K-4
• Price: $18
• Boat Equipment: Coastal
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Rod
• Time of Day: Night/Day

The only rod-catch fish that doesn’t require an ice piece of equipment to catch, the Char is a regular cod-like creature that sells for very little and can only be found on the Western Terminus region of the Pale Reach. Though I don’t recommend catching the fish for money, if we’re going for completion, we should try to catch the Char as often as possible as it only seems limited to a single region, which makes obtaining its aberration variant rather challenging.

Aberration:

• Bubbling Char (Price: $44)- A firey hot fish that boils the water around it, the bubbling Char is a distinctly orange-themed fish at odds with most of the region’s blue-green fish.

8. Icefish

• Coordinates: J-2
• Price: $13
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Rod and Trawl
• Time of Day: Night/Day

One of the first fish you can catch in the Pale Reach, the Ice fish is an easy two-slot fish that’s an easy, expected catch. While it’s generally not worth fishing for money, the Ice fish is excellent for satisfying the evil Narwhal by placing it in the life preserver feeding spots. I recommend catching a couple before entering the central camp and heading straight for the life preserver so you can catch more valuable fish without worry.

Aberrations:

• Fractalline Icefish (Price: $35) – An aggressive-looking icefish made for battle, the Fractalline Icefish is the first in the Figure in White’s pursuit. Given its quick time to decay, I highly recommend bringing the Fractalline Icefish to the Figure on the Eastern end of the Pale Reach’s island as soon as possible.
• Thawed Icefish (Price: $45) – A melted Icefish with its body grossly falling off; the thawed icefish looks like a fish that has already spoiled.
• Astral Icefish (Price: $55) – An icefish borne of the cosmos that belongs in space, the Astral Icefish looks like a bite-sized piece of cosmic power.

7. Wolffish

• Coordinates: J-6, J-5, H-2
• Price: $25
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Rod
• Time of Day: Night

A decent catch worth a moderate amount, the wolfish is an elongated ell-like fish with a three-bar midlevel catch for making a decent amount of money. While I recommend other fish like Toothfish, the wolfish is a fine choice if we need extra cash or want a small fish that won’t take up as much space in our hold.

Aberration:

• Hinged Wolffish (Price: $60) – A teeth counterpart in dire need of a visit to the dentist, the Hinged Wolfish is an increasingly violent-looking creature that would tear most others to shreds.

6. King Crab

• Depths: 50m
• Price: $35
• Boat Equipment: N/A
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Pot
• Time of Day: Night/Day

The other crab pot catch found in the Pale Reach, the King Crab, is the most profitable passive catch found from crab pots. Though I recommend trawl and rod catching over crab pots, the King Crab is the best catch if you prefer passively catching fish to avoid risking your boat.

Aberration:

• King’s Wreath (Price: $85) – A twisted and malformed crab in the shape of a clock, the King’s Wreath seems like a sinister, circular creature.

5. Stargazer

• Coordinates: TBA
• Price: $35
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Trawl
• Time of Day: Night/Day

A modest, reliable catch, the Stargazer, is a trawl catch that pays reasonably well. While I recommend catching the colossal squid over the Stargazer, it’s still an excellent and reliable fish for quickly making enough money for a better upgrade or engine.

I recommend waiting for the radiant trawl net before catching the Stargazer to enjoy the increased aberration chance.

Aberration:

• Craterous Seer (Price: $75) – A single enemy that gazes upon us with a sinister smile; the Craterous Seer is the second aberration required for the Figure in White’s Pursuit, so I advise regularly checking your trawl net for signs of the fish.

4. Lizardfish

• Coordinates: K-4, J-6
• Price: $45
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Both
• Time of Day: Night/Day

One of the rarer catches, the Lizardfish, is a “U”-shaped fish that sells moderately well if you can fit it on your boat. I recommend the lizardfish for ships with large cargo spaces or trawl nets.

Aberration:

• Feral Lizardfish (Price: $120) – A slimy, more froglike lizardfish with miniature arms and legs; Feral Lizardfish look more like Eldritch amphibians than fish.

3. Toothfish

• Coordinates: I-2, I-6, J-5
• Price: $60
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Rod
• Time of Day: Night/Day

One of the more rewarding, common fish, the Toothfish, is a well-paying fish that generally makes it easier to fit on board with its box shape. I highly recommend catching the Toothfish at the Pale Reach’s start for a more accessible source of money for upgrading your boat.

Aberration:

• Bulbous Toothfish (Price: $140) – A cancerous growth within that houses a fluid sac for a growing tentacled creature; the Bulbous Toothfish appears to have dedicated its remaining life to birthing an Eldritch creature.

2. Goblin Shark

• Coordinates: G-4, G-3, F-6, F-3
• Price: $75
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Rod
• Time of Day: Night/Day

A grisly-looking shark with a bad attitude, the Goblin shark is a well-valued creature rarely found on the frozen islands. Despite its unwieldy shape and most hotspots only offering 2-3 sharks, the goblin shark is the second highest-priced shark that generally provides a good haul if you can fit it on the ship.

Aberration:

• Grisly Shark (Price: $185) – A thorned shark with spikes jutting out from all sides in an uncomfortable angel; the Grisly Shark looks like it’s begging to be put out of its misery and swiftly eaten.

1. Colossal Squid

• Coordinates: N/A
• Price: $200
• Boat Equipment: Ice
• Rod, Trawl, or Pot: Trawl
• Time of Day: Night/Day

Sitting in first is the Colossal Squid, the most prominent, rewarding fish worth enough to purchase most new boat upgrades and equipment. Despite its enormous size, the Colossal Squid is a reasonably common catch with the Radiant Trawl Net we obtain for completing the Pale Reach’s quest, as we can usually catch two or three of them in a single haul.

I highly recommend leveraging the Radiant Trawl Net every chance we get and considering ditching Icefish and non-aberration Stargazers to make room for more squids.

Aberrations:

• Pale Grasper (Price: $500) – An icy squid variant with limited hands and red bulbous innards, the Pale Grasper is a precious fish/sea monster straight from the Blood Kelp Zone of the Subnautica. The Pale grasper’s hand-like tentacles appear to allow it to carry those that go overboard into the very depths.

FAQs

Conclusion

Well done, fisherman! You’ve caught some of the strangest, coldest creatures ever to swim the Eldritch seas.

Even if I prefer the Stellar Basin’s bioluminescent, glow-in-the-dark fish, the Pale Reach gave me a frosty fill of unsettling horror to instill a fear of the Arctic. Between the satisfying aberrations of the frozen fiends and getting enough money to purchase the remaining late-game upgrades easily, the Pale Reach offered an excellent icy complete to Dredge’s fish.

With these fish in our hold, we can enjoy our completion of Dredge‘s DLC and embark on catching the remaining legendary fish or look forward to more DLC on the way. No creature, no matter how gross or terrifying, can escape the nautical clutches of our Eldritch angler!

Continue reading:

Dredge The Pale Reach DLC Review

Dredge Review – Part Angling Adventure, Part Eldrich Horror