Fishing
Fishing is a water-based economic system in which Fishing Ships gather Food from fish and Coin from whales. It can add income without assigning Villagers to land resources.
How fishing income works
Fishing Ships are built at a Dock or civilization-specific naval building and must reach a valid resource in safe water. Natural fish schools and whales differ in amount and placement; Fish Traps provide another option where the rules allow them.
Resources and access
Invest in fishing when the map offers a defensible coastline and enough water resources to repay the boats. Scout enemy naval access before expanding, and protect the fishing area if a raid could strand the fleet.
Fishing and Whaling in Age III
In Age of Empires III, Fishing Ships gather Food from Fish and Coin from Whales. Several warships can also gather from Fish, though their cost and combat purpose may make them less efficient as dedicated economic boats. Fishing usually requires a Dock and navigable water, while Fish are finite map resources. Definitive Edition also has Fishing Grounds, which contain 10,000 Food and support up to 20 Fishing Ships.
Water access changes the risk
A fishing economy can gather Food away from land Hunts, but its boats and Dock are vulnerable to naval pressure. Scout shorelines before investing, then protect the area or move the fleet if the opponent gains control. Maps differ in which fish resources they generate. On a map with Whales, eligible ships can also gather Coin, but that depends on both map and vessel.
Choosing a water economy
Fishing is an investment in exposed workers and map access, not simply a second source of Food. A Dock and Fishing Boats need useful, reachable water; the boats then need fish or whales and enough safety to work. Check the coast and nearby enemy access before committing resources. If ships are forced away or the local resource is depleted, the expected return changes and the fleet may need to relocate.
How it connects to other systems
Fishing Boats provide the gathering workforce, while Fish and Whales are the finite map resources they work. Fish Traps can provide a separate Food source where the civilization and mode allow them. Dock upgrades such as Gill Nets and Long Lines improve the relevant fishing economy, while warships can protect boats and deny the same resource to an opponent. These are different parts of one water plan: resource access, gathering rate and naval control.