Halfway through the main quest in Monster Hunter Wilds, a peaceful yet rewarding pastime awaits: fishing. Unlock this serene activity by speaking to Jack, the Provisions Manager, then venture to the Scarlet Forest Base Camp to meet Kanya, who will guide you through the new fishing mechanics and side quests. Whether you’re seeking rare materials or a moment of calm amidst the hunt, mastering fishing opens a new world of opportunities in the Forbidden Lands.
This guide will tell you how to unlock fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds and provide some extra tips on how to fish.
How to unlock fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds
To unlock fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds, you need to progress through the main story until you reach the Scarlet Forest base camp, typically around Chapter 1-5. There, you can start the side quest “Fishing: Life, in Microcosm” by talking to Kanya, who is found fishing by the pond at the base camp. This quest serves as the fishing tutorial and grants you access to fishing mechanics and equipment. Additionally, you receive the fishing rod early in the game from Jack, the Provisions Manager, as part of essential items, but fishing becomes fully accessible after you unlock the Scarlet Forest area and complete the initial fishing quest with Kanya.
It is possible that you unlock fishing very early on in the game when you arrive at Windward Plains base camp and the game prompts the tutorial for the Essential Ttems, which includes the fishing rod. We weren’t able to go and test to see exactly how early fishing unlocks, but the game’s main fishing tutorial happens after you progress the main campaign to Chapter 1-5 and go to the Scarlet Forest base camp.
The game teaches you how to fish during a side quest called “Fishing: Life, in Microcosm.” You start it by talking to a character named Kanya, who just so happens to be fishing in the pond nestled within the Scarlet Forest base camp. Talk to her to start the quest – and your Monster Hunter Wilds fishing journey.
How to fish in Monster Hunter Wilds
To fish in Monster Hunter Wilds, first equip your Fishing Rod from the Essential Items menu. Head to a body of water where fish are visible-look for ripples or fish silhouettes. Aim with L2/LT and cast your line using R2/RT. Once the lure is in the water, use the left joystick to jig it, moving it back and forth slowly to attract fish. When a fish bites, indicated by the rod bending and water splashing, quickly press R2/RT to hook and reel it in. Different fish respond to different lure movements, so experimenting with your jigging style helps. Using specialized lures, unlocked through side quests with Kanya, improves your chances of catching rare fish. Fishing rewards materials and Guild Points, making it a valuable activity beyond relaxation.
Not to diss Kanya, but she’s a pretty bad fishing instructor. She doesn’t teach you how to fish or tell you how to pull out your fishing rod. That’s where we come in.
You first need to pull out your fishing rod. Pull up the radial menu and navigate it so the screen shows the “Essential Items” menu. (We did this by pressing down on the D-pad while holding R1.) Continue to keep the radial menu open and select the option, “Fishing Rod.”
Once your hunter is holding the rod, the game will show you the controls to aim and cast your line. Follow the prompts to cast your line.
Now, jig your line or wait until a fish bites. You will know one bit because it will splash around a lot and the controls on the screen will change. Once you get a bite, it’s easy to finish the job. Just press the button prompted on the screen (it was R2 for us, playing on PlayStation 5), and your hunter will reel in the fish.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you fish:
- You can move your lure around by “jigging” it. This helps attract fish. However, keep in mind that jigging the lure up and down will also reel the lure in. The more quickly you jig it up and down, the faster your hunter will reel the lure in and out of the water. So don’t jig it up and down too much unless you want to reel your lure out of the water.
- If you want to move the lure back and forth without reeling the lure in, jig it from side to side to move it left and right.
- The button to “Reel In” doesn’t gradually reel the line in, it immediately pulls the lure out from the water entirely. Don’t press it unless a fish bites!
- You can equip different lures using the item bar to catch different kinds of fish. The tutorial for lures unlock as part of the “Seeking the Goldfish” quest.
What secret tips can help me master fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds
Secret Tips to Master Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds
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Choose the Right Bait and Lure: Different fish respond to specific baits and lures, so experiment with switching them if fish aren’t biting. For example, the basic Wood Minnow is a good all-around bait, but specialized lures like the Golden Bughead or Tough Joint bait are needed for rare or large fish like Whoppers.
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Use Subtle Lure Movements: Instead of wildly moving your lure, use gentle side-to-side or forward-back joystick motions to mimic natural bait movement. Most fish prefer subtle movements and will be attracted to a well-placed, slowly jigged lure.
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Time of Day and Season Matter: The chance of catching certain fish depends on the time of day and season, so try fishing at different times to find specific species.
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Master the Reeling Mechanics: When a fish bites, reel it in slowly with alternating joystick motions. For bigger fish that fight back, follow on-screen prompts to move your joystick in the direction the fish is pulling to tire it out. If the fish heads toward obstacles like rocks, pull the opposite direction to prevent your line from breaking.
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Use the Capture Net for Easy Fishing: For smaller fish, the Capture Net can be a simpler alternative to the fishing rod. Aim carefully and cast the net when in range, but note it has a shorter range and can’t catch large Whopper fish.
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Fish in Safe Locations: Some fishing spots are safer from monster attacks, such as the hidden cave behind the waterfall in Scarlet Forest area 8. Choosing safe spots lets you fish without interruptions.
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Practice Makes Perfect: The fishing system has a learning curve similar to mastering weapon combos. With practice, you’ll get better at positioning your lure, timing your reeling, and handling fighting fish.
Following these tips will help you efficiently catch rare fish, complete fishing side quests, and gain valuable materials and buffs from your catches in Monster Hunter Wilds.
How can I improve my bait selection for different fish types in Wilds
To optimize bait selection in Monster Hunter Wilds, match specific lures to target fish species for faster catches and higher success rates. Here’s a breakdown of recommended baits and their uses:
Bait Recommendations by Fish Type
| Bait | Best For | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Bughead | Goldenfish, Platinumfish, Goldenfry (gaudy/rare fish) | |
| Emerald Jitterbait | Sushifish, Whetfish, Burst/Bomb Arowana, Gunpowderfish, Gravid Bowfin | |
| Tuff Joint Bait | Large/swift fish (Gastronome Tuna, Speartuna, Great Trevally) | |
| Tentacle Jig | Squids, tentacled aquatic life (Escunite, Grand Escunite, Goliath Squid) | |
| Duster Rig | Bottom-dwelling fish (Petricanths, Gajau) | |
| Common Wood Minnow | General use (works for all fish but less efficient for rare species) |
Key Tips:
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Prioritize quest rewards: Unlock advanced lures like Tuff Joint Bait by completing Kanya’s side quests (e.g., The Catch of a Lifetime!).
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Adjust for fish behavior: Swift fish like Gastronome Tuna respond better to Tuff Joint Bait’s erratic movement, while stationary bottom-feeders (Gajau) prefer the Duster Rig’s subtle vibrations.
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Use default bait strategically: The Common Wood Minnow can catch any fish but requires patience for rare species.
For example, using the Tentacle Jig near coral reefs increases squid catch rates significantly, while the Golden Bughead near sunlit shallow waters attracts Goldenfish more reliably.
