A Guide to Fishing in MH Wilds
Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds (MH Wilds) is a refreshing break from the intensity of monster battles. It’s a straightforward mini-game where you head to designated spots, cast your line, and use the right lure to catch fish. This activity not only offers a chance to relax but also ties into side quests that unlock new rewards and gear, adding a practical twist to the serene experience.
Where you first get your fishing rod
Your introduction to fishing starts early in the game. In Chapter 1-2, "Village Of Whispering Winds," you help Jack, the Provisions Manager, by collecting Honey, and in return, he gives you several Essential Items—including your first Fishing Rod. Although you receive the rod in this chapter, you won’t be able to fish immediately. It’s only when you reach Chapter 1-3, "To The Forest," that you gain access to Kaya for the fishing quests and better Fishing Spots.
How to fish
Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds is straightforward once you know the basics. Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
- Locate a Fishing Spot: Approach one of the designated Fishing Spots on the map.
- Equip your gear: Select your Fishing Rod from the Item Bar or Radial Menu, then equip your desired lure using LB + Y/A or CTRL + Up/Down.
- Aim your line: Hold LT (or RMB) to aim your line carefully.
- Cast your line: Tap RT (or LMB) to cast your line into the water.
- Attract fish: If needed, use subtle movements with the Left Thumbstick (or WASD) to make your lure more appealing.
- Reel in your catch: Once a fish bites, tap RT (or LMB) to automatically reel it in. Note: For larger fish, known as Whoppers, you’ll need to use a more careful, timed reeling process.
All fishing lures
Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds offers a range of lures, each tailored to attract different types of fish. These lures not only enhance your chances of a successful catch but are also rewards for completing specific quests from Kanya. Here’s a rundown of the lures you can obtain:
- Common Wood Minnow – Default lure received with your Fishing Rod.
- Golden Bughead – Best for catching Goldenfish, Platinumfish, and Goldenfry.
- Emerald Jitterbait – Ideal for Sushifish, Whetfish, Burst Arowana, Bomb Arowana, Gunpowderfish, and Gravid Bowfin.
- Tuff Joint Bait – Works well for Speartuna, Great Trevally, and Gastronome Tuna.
- Duster Rig – Suited for Petricanths and Gajau.
- Tentacle Jig – Perfect for Escunite, Grand Escunite, and Goliath Squid.
Fishing quests from Kanya
Kanya guides you through a series of fishing quests that not only challenge your angling skills but also unlock advanced lures as rewards. Each quest has a specific target, encouraging you to master different techniques and experiment with various lures. Here’s what each quest entails:
- Quest 1 – Introductory challenge: Catch any fish in the pond where Kanya is fishing to get comfortable with the basics.
- Quest 2 – The Goldenfish hunt: Target Goldenfish—gold/yellow fish with a spiked dorsal fin—by equipping the Golden Bughead lure and casting near Kanya’s pond or in Area 8 of Scarlet Forest.
- Quest 3 – The Gravid Bowfin challenge: Aim for the orange/red Gravid Bowfin using the Emerald Jitterbait lure; alternate between Kanya’s base camp spot and the oasis in Area 13 of Windward Plains, then reel in with gentle circular motions.
- Quest 4 – The Whopper challenge: Hunt for a large Whopper by fast traveling to Area 17 in Scarlet Forest; use Tuff Joint Bait for Gastronome Tuna or Speartuna and Duster Rig for Gajau, and master the timed reeling minigame to secure your catch.
- Quest 5 – The Grand Escunite encounter: Search for the glowing Grand Escunite in Area 8 of Scarlet Forest by equipping the Tentacle Jig and casting at the right moment; you may need to reload the area a few times before the fish appears.
All types of fish
Catching fish for Kanya's quests will take you to a variety of unique spots and challenge your skills with specific targets. But Monster Hunter Wilds has a vast array of aquatic life beyond her quests. The world is teeming with fish waiting to be discovered, each with its own habitat and preferred lure.
Here's a comprehensive look at all the fish you can catch in MH Wilds, complete with the regions where they're found and the best bait to use:
- Virid Bowfin – Region: Plains, Forest – Type of bait: Any
- Sushifish – Region: Plains, Forest, Basin – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Whetfish – Region: Plains, Forest, Basin – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Goldenfish – Region: Plains, Forest, Basin, Cliffs – Type of bait: Golden Bughead
- Platinumfish – Region: Plains, Forest, Basin, Cliffs – Type of bait: Golden Bughead
- Burst Arowana – Region: Forest, Basin – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Bomb Arowana – Region: Forest, Basin – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Petricanths – Region: Forest, Basin – Type of bait: Duster Rig
- Goldenfry – Region: Forest, Basin, Cliffs, Wyveria – Type of bait: Golden Bughead
- Gunpowderfish – Region: Forest, Basin, Cliffs, Wyveria – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Gravid Bowfin – Region: Plains, Forest, Basin, Cliffs, Wyveria – Type of bait: Emerald Jitterbait
- Speartuna – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tuff Joint Bait
- Escunite – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tentacle Jig
- Grand Escunite – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tentacle Jig
- Glass Parexus – Region: Cliffs, Wyveria – Type of bait: Any
- Blind Perch – Region: Cliffs, Wyveria – Type of bait: Any
- Gajau – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Duster Rig
- Gastronome Tuna – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tuff Joint Bait
- Great Trevally – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tuff Joint Bait
- Goliath Squid – Region: Forest – Type of bait: Tentacle Jig
Benefits of fishing in MH Wilds
Fishing in MH Wilds yields items that benefit you in combat and serve as rare crafting materials for armor and weapons. For example, Sushifish scales quickly heal you and remove bleed debuffs, while Whetfish fins let you sharpen your weapons faster. Catching rare Speartuna allows you to get the Speartuna Fin, which you can later use to craft a unique great sword.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can collect:
Common fishing rewards
These items are the standard rewards you’ll get from most fish. In some cases, a single fish provides multiple rewards.
- Sushifish: Great Sushifish Scale & Sushifish Scale
- Whetfish: Whetfish Fin & Whetfish Fin +
- Goldenfish: Golden Scale
- Platinumfish: Platinum Scale
- Burst Arowana: Burst Arowana Scale
- Bomb Arowana: Bomb Arowana Scale
- Goldenfry: Gilded Scale
- Gunpowderfish: Gunpowderfish Scale
Rare and special fishing rewards
These items are out-of-the-ordinary rewards you’ll only snag from rare catches. They’re typically obtained from some of the more challenging fish in the game, making them prized finds for dedicated hunters.
- Gastronome Tuna: Ancient Wyvern Coin, Chaliceweed, Royal Sea Pot, Sparkly Treasure, Fine Scarlet Amber, Truffle Du Conga (Tradeable items)
- Gajau: Gajau Hide (Crafting item for armor)
- Speartuna: Speartuna Fin (Crafting item for weapon)
Gone to fish
Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t just about taking a break from monster battles—it’s a practical way to get useful items. Whether you're working through Kanya’s quests or exploring the many fishing spots, you'll gather rewards that heal you, sharpen your weapons, or serve as rare crafting materials for gear. So cast your line, enjoy the change of pace, and stock up on essentials for your next hunt.
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Patrick Yu is a Senior Project Manager at Level Interactive and has 8 years of experience writing business, legal, lifestyle, gaming, and technology articles. He is a significant contributor to Acer Corner and is currently based in Taipei, Taiwan.