There’s nothing quite like hopping onto a horse, trotting into the mountains, finding a quiet little spot by the water, and casting out a line in the hopes of bagging a fish. It’s a rather peaceful bit of imagery to be sure, which is why it’s hard to imagine doing so in a game like Red Dead Redemption 2. Still, the game where a playercan unload theirsix-shooter into a group of KKK members allows usersto ultimately pick the pace of the action, and fishing is a large part of the rural serenity that Rockstar Games has tried so hard to create.
The studio didn’t just put in a few fish and call it a day either, as there are a number of the creatures swimming around the lakes, rivers, and swamps of Red Dead Redemption 2. Trying to catch ‘em all is certainly something of a challenge, which is why Screen Rant has put together a guide explaining where to snag a mantle-worthy catch. Still, it’s not as easy as it may seem.
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Everything that can be found swimming the waters of Red Dead Redemption 2 (with the exception of crocodiles, thankfully) along with where to catch them, preferred weather conditions, and which type of bait to use to best do so are featured below:
Red Dead Redemption 2's Different Types of Fish and Their Locations
Bluegill: Located in all lakes and rivers, but is most commonly found while it is raining. Best bait: Cheese.
Bullhead Catfish: Located in swamps, but is most commonly found while it is raining. Best bait: Cheese or corn.
Chain Pickerel: Located in lakes, rivers, and swamps, but is most commonly found in sunny weather. Best bait: Corn.
Lake Sturgeon: Located in Southern lakes and swamps, but is most commonly found while there is overcast. Best bait: Lake Lure.
Largemouth Bass: Located in all Southern water, but is most commonly found while it is raining. Best bait: Crayfish.
Muskie: Located in all Northern lakes, but is most commonly found while there is overcast. Best bait: Lake lure.
Perch: Located in rivers and lakes, but is most commonly found in sunny weather. Best bait: Bread.
Redfin Pickerel: Located in Southern rivers in the south, but is most commonly found in sunny weather. Best bait: Bread.
Rock Bass: Located in clear water, but is most commonly found in sunny weather. Best bait: Cheese or natural bait.
Smallmouth Bass: Located in Northern rivers, but is most commonly found while it is raining. Best bait: Natural bait.
Sockeye Salmon: Located in all Northern rivers, but is most commonly found while there is overcast. Best bait: River lure.
Steelhead Trout: Located in all Southern lakes, but is most commonly found while it is raining. Best bait: Worms.
If all the above weren’t already enough, there are a number of ‘Legendary Fish’ thatplayers canseek out as well. These are similar in nature to Red Dead Redemption 2’s Legendary Animals, and their locations will be marked on the map after players bump into a quirky gentleman known as Gill at the appropriately titled area of Gill’s Landing. Once you capture one of these behemoths, you can head back to Gill and he’ll give you a reward.
Additionally, players will want to make sure they have every Special Lure, which they can buy from any conveniencestore in a major town after they've met up with Gill. These lures will cost $20 apiece.
Red Dead Redemption 2's Legendary Fish Guide
There are 13 of these Legendary fish in total, and they can be captured under the following conditions:
Legendary Bluegill: Located on the Eastern portionof Flat Iron Lake and to the South of Clemens Point. Best bait:Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Bullhead Catfish: Located just Northeast of Saint Dennis on a place calledSisika island. Best bait: Special River Lure.
Legendary Chain Pickerel: Located near Horseshoe Overlook (one of the first camps in the game) along theDakota River. Best bait:Special River Lure.
Legendary Lake Sturgeon: Located off of the Southern railroad bridge that heads towardsSaint Denis, but be careful because being hit by a train probably isn't the goal of this trip. Best bait: Special Lake Lure.
Largemouth Bass: Located Northwest of Armadillo in theSan Luis River. Best bait: Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Longnose Gar: Located on Lakay Peninsula, this is the only Legendary Fish that doesn't feature a more common counterpart. Head Northwest of the body of water and set up shop near a handful of cottages. Best bait:Special Swamp Lure.
Legendary Muskie: Located near the lighthouse outside of theVan Horn Trading Post. Best bait:Special River Lure.
Legendary Perch: Located in Elysian Pond just outside of Hanover. Best bait: Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Redfin Pickerel: Locatedin Stillwater Creek which flows intothe Lower Montana River, and if locating it is still a hassle then try looking West ofThieves Landing on the map. Best bait: Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Rock Bass: The Rock Bass is in the Aurora Basin, which is a good way west of Blackwater.
Legendary Smallmouth Bass: Located West of Strawberry on a bod of watercalledOwanjilla Lake. Best bait:Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Sockeye Salmon: Located North of Valentine on the South side a body of watercalledIsabella Lake, players will want to make sure they're wearing appropriate winter attire before attempting to catch this monster fish. Best bait:Special Lake Lure.
Legendary Steelhead Trout: Located North ofAnnesburg at a place calledWillard's Rest near a large waterfall. Best bait:Special River Lure.
When it comes to landing a Legendary Fish, it’s best for the player to pace themselves once they’ve got the creature on the line. These things are "Legendary" after all, and landing them is one of the most challenging things to do in the game. Still, it’s nice to see that Rockstar Games has opted to flesh out the fishing experience rather than making it a tacked-on feature.
