Fishing Bait

Fishing Bait is a Tool used for Ice Fishing in The Long Dark. It released in the free update of Part 3: Frontier Comforts for the Tales from the Far Territory expansion.

Overview[]

Bait is not necessary to catch fish, but can be used when fishing to increase the weight of fish caught by Ice Fishing by 50%. Bait is harvested from any raw fish, and yields a number of units per kg of fish which was harvested. When fishing manually with Fishing Tackle or with Fishing Tip-Ups, Bait may be selected (as can Fishing Lures).

Using Bait increases the weight (minimum and maximum) of caught fish by 50%.
Bait is consumed each time a fish is caught, or when the fishing line breaks
Bait is harvested from raw (not cooked) fish, regardless of species
Harvesting bait always takes 30 minutes, regardless of fish weight/species
Harvested fish produce 3-14 pieces of bait based on weight (3 Bait per kilogram of fish, rounded down. With breakpoints at X.00kg, X.35kg and X.70kg)
Bait Smells and will attract predatory wildlife (despite not displaying on the Scent Indicator, currently a bug).
Bait decays over time and cannot be used once ruined. Raw fish will always yield 100% condition bait when harvested (even if the fish is 0% condition "ruined").

Whitefish/Trout weigh significantly less than Coho Salmon/Smallmouth Bass, but give double the Vitamin-C per kg. This makes it more efficient for Vitamin-C and time to harvest larger 'uncommon' fish (Coho Salmon/Smallmouth Bass). Rare Fish (goldeye, burbot, etc.) do not yield any Vitamin-C, but can be difficult to acquire. If fishing for calories, then whitefish, trout, or goldeye should be harvested.

UPDATE 21 June 2023 (Update):
- Added to game.