Fishing

Like hunting, fishing is an important side activity in Red Dead Redemption 2 and is necessary for the survival of both Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. It wasn’t present in any previous Red Dead game.

Fish can be found throughout the world in rivers, lakes, and streams, with different species of fish living in different areas of the map. Catching them requires the use of the right baits and lures for the particular species of fish you are looking to catch.

Early morning and afternoon are the best periods to catch fish due to larger quantities of bugs roaming the aquatic biomes. Rain also increases the likelihood of fish encounters.

Once caught, fish can be used as either a source of food, materials, or income, depending on how the carcass is used. Fish can be taken to butchers to be sold, earning money, or to trappers for more exotic goods.

Alternatively, Morgan can butcher the animal himself for food and materials, which can be used to craft new clothing, or deliver it to the Van der Linde camp. Doing so will increase the camp’s food stores and improve Morgan’s standing with the camp’s inhabitants via the gang’s morale mechanics.

A fishing rod, necessary for the activity, is guaranteed in the mission A Fisher of Men, however it is possible to acquire it through other encounters earlier. Lures and Baits can be bought or looted throughout the game.

Bait Types

To Catch different types of aquatic life you will need to use various types of baits. There are Bobbers which will attract different types of fish, and Lures that will increase effectiveness on various aquatic biomes. They are the following:

Bobbers

• Bread ($0.40) – Used for Small fish;
• Corn ($0.40) – Used for Small fish;
• Cheese ($1.90) – Used for Small fish;
• Worms ($0.50) – Used for Medium lake fish;
• Crayfish ($0.25) – Used for Large fish in deeper waters of rivers or lakes;
• Crickets ($0.50)- Used for Medium river fish.

Lures

• River lure ($2.50) – Attracts small and medium fish in rivers;
• Lake lure ($2.50) – Attracts Large fish in lakes;
• Swamp lure ($2.50) – Attracts Medium and Large fish in swamps;
• Special River lure ($20) – Better chance of catching Medium and Larger river fish;
• Special Lake lure ($20) – Better chance of catching Medium and Larger lake fish;
• Special Swamp lure ($20) – Better chance of catching Medium and Larger swamp fish;

Spinner

Special Spinner – Better chance of catching any type of fish in any area including the legendary fish. This spinner is unlocked and becomes available at all the bait shops and Lagras tackle after you catch all larger fish species and all the legendary fish.

Using Baits

Each type of fish has an ideal bait type. The matchups are:

• Bluegill – Cheese;
• Chain Pickerel – Corn;
• Redfin Pickerel – Bread;
• Rock Bass – Cheese or other natural baits;
• Smallmouth Bass – Any type of natural bait;
• Bullhead Catfish – Cheese or corn;
• Perch – Bread;
• Lake Sturgeon- Lake lure;
• Largemouth Bass – Crayfish;
• Steelhead Trout – Worms;
• Muskie – Lake lure;
• Sockeye Salmon – River lure.
• Northern Pike – River Luke
• Channel Catfish – Swamp Lure
• Longnose Gar – Swamp Lure

Fish Locations

There optimal locations for fishing in certain species. The matchups are:

• Bluegill – All lakes and rivers; most active during rain.
• Chain Pickerel – Lakes, rivers, and swamps; most active in sunny weather.
• Redfin Pickerel – Rivers in the south; most active on warm, sunny days.
• Rock Bass – All clear water in the country; most active on sunny days.
• Smallmouth Bass – Northern rivers; most active during rain.
• Bullhead Catfish – Swamps; most active during rain.
• Perch – Rivers and lakes across the country; most active during sunny weather.
• Lake Sturgeon – Southern lakes and swamps; most active during overcast weather.
• Largemouth Bass – All waters in the south; most active during rainy weather.
• Steelhead Trout – Lakes, mostly in the south; most active during rainy weather.
• Muskie – Northern lakes; most active during overcast days.
• Sockeye Salmon – Rivers in the north; most active during overcast weather.
• Northern Pike – In Northern Rivers; most active during sunny weather.
• Channel Catfish – In muddy swamp waters; most active during rainy weather.
• Longnose Gar – In Swamp waters; most active during rainy weather.

Legendary Fish

To find the location of these mighty fish the player will need to go to the shore of Flat Iron Lake in The Heartlands, to a place called Gill Landing. There the player must talk to Gill, who will give him a map will the location of 15 legendary fish. The player must catch them all and deliver them to Gill, who will reward the player with a prize. Usage of special lures will be needed in order to catch these fish.

Each fish mentioned above has a Legendary Variant.

Achievements & Trophies

Tips

• When you are choosing a location to fish, make sure you choose a location which is clear of any obstacles. Because, when you are reeling in a fish, the obstacles may break the line.
• If you’re looking to score a medium or large sized catch then use Lures instead of Bait. Small fish, like the bluegill or perch are attracted to baits but ignore lures.
• If you catch a fish and then return it back to the water, your honor level will increase.
• Up to 10 small fish can be stacked in satchels but large-sized fishes must be carried on horseback and you can carry only one fish at a time. Like any other animal carcass, the fish will also decompose overtime on horseback, so make sure you either sell it or cook it before it is ruined.
• Players can make a lot of money from selling Sockeye Salmon and Steelhead Trout. They can be stacked up to 10 fish at a time and they have a high selling price. In addition, if you have fully upgraded your satchel, then you can store up to 99.