It does matter a bit where you fish in Minecraft, but not in the “ocean vs pond = better loot” way most players assume. The main things that matter are open water , sky access, and weather, not the specific lake or ocean you pick.

Core fishing rules

  • Any water source (small pond, ocean, cave pool, even in the End) uses the same basic fish/treasure/junk loot table, as long as the other conditions are met.
  • The game does not give you more treasure just because you fish in the sea instead of a tiny pool, unless that sea makes it easier to meet the “open water” rules.
  • Enchantments (Luck of the Sea, Lure) matter far more than the exact spot you choose, once the basic conditions are satisfied.

What “open water” actually means

To get treasure (enchanted books, saddles, bows, etc.), you must fish in open water , not just any random single block.

Key requirements:

  • The bobber must be surrounded by at least a 5×5×4-ish volume of water , with:
    • At least 2 water blocks in every horizontal direction around the bobber.
* No solid blocks or waterlogged blocks directly touching that area (fences, slabs, etc. can break treasure eligibility).
  • If you fish in a tiny 1×1 hole or right against a cluttered shoreline, you will:
    • Still get fish and junk.
    • But no treasure from the treasure loot table.

That is why “where” you fish appears to matter: open lakes and oceans naturally satisfy these open-water rules, and cramped little ponds often don’t.

Sky, light, and weather effects

Even when the loot table is the same, your catch rate can change with the environment.

  • Direct sky access
    • Water with a clear view of the sky gives you faster bites.
    • Fishing underground or under a solid roof slows down how quickly fish/loot bite the bobber.
* Transparent blocks (like glass) above the bobber are generally treated as “open sky” for bite speed.
  • Rain
    • Fishing while it is raining on the water surface speeds up bite times by roughly 20%, so you get more catches per minute.
* This stacks nicely with the Lure enchantment.

So a great “where to fish” choice is: open water, with sky above, and preferably while raining.

Does biome or dimension matter?

  • In current Java/Bedrock survival, biome does not significantly change treasure vs junk vs fish ratios when you meet the open-water rules.
  • Suggestions and forum posts about “biome‑based fishing loot” are mostly wishlist ideas, not the standard vanilla behavior.
  • You can even fish successfully in places like the End or Nether (with water placed in special ways or via commands), and the loot logic is still driven by open water and sky access, not the dimension itself.

So, what’s the best spot?

If you just want the practical answer to “does it matter where you fish in Minecraft?” for your own world:

  • No, the exact pond vs ocean doesn’t change loot quality , as long as:
    • Your bobber is in proper open water.
    • You’re not too close to walls/shore or clutter.
  • Yes, the environment around the water matters because:
    • Open water is required for treasure.
    • Sky access and rain make fishing faster.
    • Tight, enclosed, 1×1 farm-style holes now block treasure.

If you want the “best” setup:

  • Build a small fishing pier over a natural lake or ocean.
  • Make sure there’s a wide, unobstructed patch of water under your bobber.
  • Keep the sky above it open (glass roof is fine if you want safety).
  • Use a rod with Luck of the Sea and Lure and fish when it rains for maximum efficiency.

Under those conditions, where you fish becomes mostly a matter of aesthetics and safety rather than loot quality.