River King 2 Field Guide

Game Boy Color · fishing guide + loadout tool

How to Catch Fish in Legend of the River King 2

Wait for one continuous tone, set the hook, then let the fish run and reel only while it rests. Master that sound loop first—rod, bait, lure, fly, and hook choices come second. This guide covers Kid and Teen routes for River King 2 (LotRK2) on Game Boy Color / GBC.

Build a target loadout Learn the timing Can't catch any fish?
Fish
104
Regions
8
Routes
Kid + Teen

Step 1

Read the bite before you press anything

Legend of the River King 2 uses audio cues for interest, the hook window, and escape attempts. Trust the sound more than the tiny GBC water animation.

Separated chimes

Wait

The fish is circling the bait. Pressing now is too early.

One continuous tone

Press A

This is the hook window. The underwater fight begins.

Rapid unhappy chimes

Change tackle

The fish is not interested. Try another compatible bait, lure, or fly.

Underwater fight

Run → reel → release → repeat

  1. 1
    Let it run

    The hooked fish pulls away first. Keep your finger off the reel button.

  2. 2
    Reel on the rest

    When the fish settles, hold A or B and pull it closer.

  3. 3
    Release on warning

    When the escape tone returns, let go before the line or hook fails.

  4. 4
    Repeat calmly

    Resume after the fish settles again. Large fish may need several cycles.

Interactive tool

Target Fish Loadout Builder

Choose your route, current region, and target. The tool shows every compatible fishing method and a practical setup to try first.
Story route
Loading loadout options...

Step 2

Use the route's first reliable setup

Both stories begin with the same rod and small hook, but the first target and bait are different.
Kid RouteLake

Catch a Sucker Eel

Fish Memo name: S.Eel

  • RodT.Rod(S)
  • BaitEarthworm
  • HookHook(S)

Keep the first Sucker Eel. Give it to the Lake Inn angler for the Canoe, then fish the wider lake loop.

Teen RouteBeach

Catch an Opaleye

First Beach exchange fish

  • RodT.Rod(S)
  • BaitLugworm
  • HookHook(S)

Keep the first Opaleye. Trade it to the angler east of the Beach Tackle Shop for the Small Reel Rod (Surf Rod(S)), which pulls the line in with B. Use Hook(S) for the exchange fish; Opaleye average about 38 cm, so step up to Hook(M) later if larger ones slip free.

Step 3

Know what each rod expects from you

The hook-and-fight rhythm is shared, but casting, retrieval, and tackle requirements change by rod family.

T.Rod

Uses bait plus a hook. It cannot retrieve on command, so the water current has to carry the bobber past fish.

Starter

Surf Rod

Uses bait plus a hook. Press B after casting to reel the line back and reposition more easily.

B to retrieve

Lure Rod

No separate hook. In the underwater view, press A to work the lure in front of the fish until it fully bites.

Active lure

Fly Rod

No separate hook. Flies are reusable until lost, but an undersized fly can still let a fish escape.

Freshwater

Trolling Rod

Use it from the captain's cruiser in Ocean, Shore, or Remote Island. Trolling bait trails the boat—steer to move it, or press B to retrieve.

Cruiser only

Boat Rod

Uses bait plus a hook in deep water. Hold A to lower the hook and B to bring it closer to the surface.

Depth control

Step 4

Match bait, lures, flies, and hooks

Every fish accepts a fixed tackle set. Wrong bait means rapid reject chimes; wrong hook or fly size often means an escape after the bite.

Bait + hook rods

T.Rod, Surf Rod, and Boat Rod need both bait and a hook. Freshwater targets often take Earthworm or Mosquito Larvae; saltwater openers use Lugworm, Marine Worm, or Krill. Pair Hook(S), Hook(M), or Hook(L) to the fish's average size.

Lures

Lure Rods skip a separate hook. Work the lure underwater with A until the fish fully takes it—approaching the lure is not the same as a hookset.

Flies & trolling bait

Fly Rods use freshwater flies. Trolling Rods use trolling bait (some items are named like Spearfish Fly). Both stay equipped until lost. Match size the same way you would match a hook. Ocean targets such as Sea King need trolling bait from the cruiser, not shoreline worms.

Common mistakes

Why you still can't catch any fish

Match the symptom on screen, then change only one part of your setup or timing.
I can't catch any fish at all

Work this order once: stand on a fishing spot with moving dark shapes, equip a rod and tackle the target accepts, then wait for the continuous tone before pressing A. If every cast ends in rapid unhappy chimes, switch bait, lure, or fly with the loadout builder. If you hook fish and still lose them, use the escape-tone steps below—do not keep reeling through the warning tone.

I cast repeatedly, but no fish will bite

Stand at a marked fishing zone, aim for moving dark shapes, and use tackle listed as compatible for the target. Rapid unhappy chimes mean the fish rejected the tackle; select another option from the loadout tool.

The fish bites, then escapes during the fight

Do not hold the reel button through the escape tone. Release immediately, wait for the fish to settle, and resume. With bait rods, a mismatched hook can also cause an escape; the tool's size suggestion is a starting point, not a guarantee for every individual fish.

My T.Rod line will not come back

That is normal. T.Rods have no manual retrieve and depend on current. Recast from a better position or earn a Surf Rod, which lets you pull the line in with B.

A fish approaches my lure but never gets hooked

Lures are not automatic. When the view switches underwater, press A to drag the lure in front of the fish until it swims in and takes the lure.

I caught the first route fish—should I sell it?

No. Kid players should trade the first Sucker Eel for the Canoe. Teen players should trade the first Opaleye for Surf Rod(S). Complete that exchange before selling duplicates.

Quick reference

River King 2 fishing FAQ

What is the exact trick to fishing?

Press A only on the continuous bite tone. In the fight, reel while the fish rests and release when the escape tone returns.

Do I reel with A or B?

A sets the hook. During the underwater fight, either A or B can reel. Outside the fight, B is the manual retrieve button for Surf Rods (Small Reel Rods) and Trolling Rods.

Which hook size should I use?

Match hook size to the fish. Use the loadout tool's size-based suggestion first, then step up or down if the fish slips free at the hook check. Both starter targets use Hook(S).

How many fish are there?

The Fish Memo lists 104 fish across eight regions. Use the loadout builder above, then open the full Fish Database for habitats and methods.

What should Kid and Teen catch first?

Kid: Sucker Eel at Lake for the Canoe. Teen: Opaleye at Beach for the Small Reel Rod (Surf Rod(S)). Do not sell those first exchange fish.

Why does a lure approach never hook?

Lures need work in the underwater view. Press A to drag the lure in front of the fish until it fully takes the lure.