How to Catch The Old Pike in How to Fish

Is The Old Pike different from ordinary Pike?

Yes. Pike is a regular early catch found in Free or Beginner lure pools, while The Old Pike is an optional Forest miniboss caught with a Beginner Boss Lure. They occupy separate rows in the 49-creature roster, and catching the small Pike does not complete The Old Pike entry.

Creature	Lure pool	Reported base value	Class
Pike	Free or Beginner Lure	$12	Regular
The Old Pike	Beginner Boss Lure	$80	Optional miniboss

This name collision is an easy reason to think the collection tracker is broken. The complete Fish compendium keeps both entries visible.

What is the shortest route to The Old Pike?

Progress to the Forest, equip the Beginner Boss Lure, and fish a clear landing area until The Old Pike takes the bait. Sunfish shares the same reported boss pool, so either miniboss may be useful collection progress even when it is not the exact target.

1. Bring enough money for more than one boss-lure attempt.
2. Empty a slot and reload your preferred weapon.
3. Cast in the Forest with the Beginner Boss Lure equipped.
4. Keep the fight on land and away from deep water.
5. Kill The Old Pike and check its unique collection record.

Neither principal source publishes a fixed Sunfish-versus-Old-Pike chance. Treat claims of guaranteed alternating bites or a specific cast count as unverified unless a current patch test reproduces them.

Should you sell The Old Pike?

Its reported base price is $80, but collection confirmation comes first. Sale values vary with size and gameplay multipliers, so $80 is a reference value rather than a guaranteed checkout total. After the entry is secure, decide whether selling or cooking fits your current upgrade goal.

The cooking guide explains price changes, while the money-making guide gives a broader progression route. Do not sacrifice a first-time catch before confirming it registered.

Can The Old Pike have a Drip version?

Yes, the game tracks rare Drip forms across the base roster. The normal and Drip versions are separate goals: the ordinary creature advances Collector, while the rare version advances Fishipedia. Use the same underlying boss-lure pool; no separate Drip lure has been verified.

Which sources agree on this catch?

IGN and Mobalytics both list The Old Pike in the Forest Beginner Boss Lure pool. IGN reports an $80 base value. Official Steam achievements independently confirm the normal-creature and Drip-variant completion tracks.

• IGN fish location table
• Mobalytics all-creature guide
• Official Steam achievements