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Fishing may not be the first activity that comes to mind when you think about the high-energy monster-hunting action of Monster Hunter Wilds, but it offers a range of unique benefits that shouldn’t be ignored. Although this feature is often an afterthought for many players, fishing has been part of the Monster Hunter series since its debut in Monster Hunter (2004) on the PlayStation 2. While it may seem familiar to players of Monster Hunter Rise, the fishing minigame in Monster Hunter Wilds has been notably enhanced, demanding both skill and prior knowledge to reel in your catches.
If you prefer not to fish but still want some benefits, you can use the Bug Net to scoop up multiple fish in a shorter amount of time simply by casting it into the water. However, not every fish is catchable with the Bug Net, as some are either too large or too far away to reach. Additionally, fish caught with the Bug Net don’t contribute to completing Kanya’s essential fishing quests, meaning you’ll need to put in a bit more work for those challenges.
How to Unlock Fishing (Finding Kanya)
The first fishing quest in Monster Hunter Wilds becomes available shortly after you venture into the Scarlet Forest. You can find the fishing expert, Kanya, deep within the cave at your main base camp. After a chat with Kanya, she’ll equip you with everything you need to start fishing. To complete your introductory quest, you only need to catch a fish using your rod, and a couple of small ones can be easily found in the pond right next to her.
Tip: When casting your lure, avoid the shallow edges of the water pool, as they may cause the lure to bounce back. Aim for the center instead.
Even though the tutorial seems straightforward, it lacks substantial guidance, and the on-screen instruction may not be particularly helpful. Instead of waiting patiently for a bite, as your Palico suggests, you should slowly reel in the lure by rotating the left analog stick or pull down to gently jiggle the lure to attract attention.
Don’t hesitate to reposition your lure if the fish seems to be drifting away.
From my experience, certain fish like a rapid reeling motion, while others shy away from it and prefer a slower approach. Feel free to try both methods if you’re having a tough time snagging specific fish. If a fish swims away from your lure, don’t be afraid to shift your position, just ensure not to drop the lure too close to scare them off.
All Fishing Side Missions & How To Complete Them
Once you’ve finished the introductory quest, Kanya will offer a series of follow-up quests that gradually increase in difficulty, each rewarding you with new lures that allow you to catch different fish more efficiently. The first follow-up quest is quite easy—Goldenfish are abundant in various locations and can be found at any time of day—while the third quest really ups the challenge.
Quest Overview
| Quest Name | Fish | Rewards | Best Bait | Best Location | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fishing: Life, In Microcosm | Any | Sunfish Scale x5, Honey x5 | Common Wood Minnow | Scarlet Forest Base Camp | Any |
| Seeking the Goldenfish | Goldenfish | Whetfish Fins x3, Honey x5 | Golden Bughead | Scarlet Forest Area 12 behind the Waterfall | Any |
| Fishing For Flavor | Gravid Bowfin | Jeweled Mullet Roes x3, Honey x5 | Emerald Jitterbait | Scarlet Forest Area 12 Behind the Waterfall | Plenty, Dawn/Evening |
| The Catch of a Lifetime! | Any Whopper | Gunpowderfish Scales x5, Honey x5 | Tuff Joint Bait | Scarlet Forest Area 17 Lake | Any, Plenty Preferred |
| Razzle Dazzle | Grand Escunite | Jeweled Mullet Roes x5, … | Tentacle Jig | Scarlet Forest Area 8 Underwater Cave | Plenty, Evening/Night |
As previously mentioned, while the Bug Net won’t count for quest-specific fish, it’s excellent for clearing out less desirable fish before focusing on your target. By removing distractions, you can complete Kanya’s fishing quests more efficiently.
All Fishing Lures & How to Unlock Them
There’s no need to invest a ton of time unlocking all the lures in Monster Hunter Wilds. Accepting each of Kanya’s fishing quests will grant you the next essential lure required to continue on your questing journey, introducing more fish to catch. Although most fish can be caught with any lure, some—like the Gravid Bowfin—require specific bait.
Lure Overview
| Fishing Lure | Catches | How To Unlock |
|---|---|---|
| Common Wood Minnow | Any small fish | Complete "Fishing: Life, in Microcosm" |
| Golden Bughead | Valuable fish like Goldenfish | Complete "Seeking the Goldenfish" |
| Emerald Jitterbait | Useful fish like Gravid Bowfin | Complete "Seeking the Goldenfish" |
| Tuff Joint Bait | Whoppers and larger fish | Complete "The Catch of a Lifetime!" |
| Duster Rig | Fish in dark, muddy places | Complete "The Catch of a Lifetime!" |
| Tentacle Jig | Aquatic creatures with tentacles | Complete "Razzle Dazzle" |
While you technically don’t have to finish Kanya’s fishing quests to unlock every lure in Wilds, the final quest rewards—valuable materials—make it worth your time. Once you’ve unlocked various lures, simply hold down the item scrolling button while holding your fishing rod to select the one you wish to use, much like choosing ammunition.
All Fish & When They Appear (Map Locations)
Not Every Fishing Spot is Made Equal
Initially, you may encounter only a handful of fish, but the vast assortment of aquatic wildlife throughout Monster Hunter Wilds rivals the diversity of its land creatures. While every area in Monster Hunter Wilds features some fishing spots, the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest are by far the richest in resources. The Scarlet Forest is where much of Kanya’s fishing quests are completed and is also the sole region where you can catch Whopper-sized fish, particularly near Area 17 by the lake.
Fish Overview
| Fish | Best Lure | Rewards | Locations | Best Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virid Bowfin | Any | None | Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest | Any |
| Sunfish | Any | Fushifish Scale, Great Sushifish Scale | Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin | Any |
| Whetfish | Any | Whetfish Fin, Whetfish Fin + | Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin | Any |
| Goldenfish | Golden Bughead | Golden Scale | Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs | Any |
| Platinumfish | Golden Bughead | Platinum Scale | Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs | Any |
| Burst Arowana | Emerald Jitterbait | Burst Arowana Scale | Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin | Any |
| Bomb Arowana | Emerald Jitterbait | Bomb Arowana Scale | Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin | Any |
| Goldenfry | Emerald Jitterbait | Gilded Scale | Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, Ruins of Wyveria | Any |
| Gunpowderfish | Emerald Jitterbait | Gunpowderfish Scale | Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, Ruins of Wyveria | Any |
| Gravid Bowfin | Emerald Jitterbait | Jeweled Mullet Roe (Ingredient) | Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, Ruins of Wyveria | Dusk/Dawn Plenty |
| Escunite | Tentacle Jig | None | Scarlet Forest: Area 8, 12 | Any |
| Grand Escunite | Tentacle Jig | None | Scarlet Forest: Area 8, 12 | Any |
| Glass Parexus | Any | None | Iceshard Cliffs, Ruins of Wyveria | Any |
| Blind Perch | Bug Net | None | Iceshard Cliffs, Ruins of Wyveria (Using Net) | Any |
| Gastronome Tuna | Tuff Joint Bait | Random Trade-In Materials | Scarlet Forest: Area 17 | Plenty |
| Goliath Squid | Tentacle Jig | Achievement | Scarlet Forest: Area 17 | Night, Plenty |
| Great Trevally | Tuff Joint Bait | None | Scarlet Forest: Area 12, 17 | Plenty |
| Gajau | Duster Rig Bait | Gajau Hide | Scarlet Forest: Area 12, 17 | Plenty |
| Speartuna | Tuff Joint Bait | Speartuna Fin | Scarlet Forest: Area 17 | Any |
Certain fishing spots, such as the Oasis in Area 13 of the Windward Plains, also have significant resources like honey, making them attractive detours for gathering more than just fish. Even if you’re not keen on the fishing mini-game, using a net to scoop fish nearby can be a great way to enhance your material-gathering efforts, especially when you’re out on hunting excursions.
How to Catch Whoppers (Catch of a Lifetime Walkthrough)
Reeling in the Giants of the Sea
Whoppers are among the most challenging fish to catch in Monster Hunter Wilds, but thankfully, the in-game tutorial provides ample guidance, complete with instructional videos. Attracting a Whopper to your lure is much like fishing for regular fish, with one key difference: you must use the Tuff Joint Bait provided during Kanya’s "Catch of a Lifetime!" quest. Given that several dangerous monsters inhabit the Scarlet Forest, it’s advisable to be familiar with battling them in case you encounter trouble while fishing.
After hooking a Whopper onto your lure, you can’t just reel it in directly. Instead, you have to pull the line in the direction the fish is moving. I learned this lesson the hard way after several failed attempts. After some time, the Whopper will tire and stop thrashing around, allowing you to start reeling it in, repeating this process a few times.
Eventually you’ll be reeling in massive fish from the depths.
The most challenging part of catching Whoppers is that they sometimes leap out of the water unpredictably, requiring you to pull the lure in the direction they jump, which can be tricky to spot from a distance. While you might need a few tries at first, soon you’ll be catching colossal fish with ease, preparing yourself for any potential expansions to Monster Hunter Wilds that may introduce even more formidable fish to pursue.
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