Landing every legendary fish in Red Dead Redemption 2 requires more than a casual cast off the bank. You need the exact specialized lures, precise positioning, and specific weather conditions to hook all 14 unique aquatic species across the map. If you're missing a catch or struggling to keep your line from snapping, you're likely missing a minor detail about bait selection or reel speed.
The search intent for this topic is straightforward: players want an exact checklist of all legendary fish locations, the precise tackle required for each, and mechanical tips to reel them in without losing progress. The competitor guide featured messy, inaccurate locations (such as placing tuna in Guarma or inventing a second sturgeon spawn in the Great Plains) and missed critical details like starting Jeremy Gill's "A Fisher of Fish" stranger mission. This guide sets the record straight with exact coordinates, real gear requirements, and actionable techniques.
Preparing Your Angling Arsenal
Before you chase any aquatic monster, you've got to unlock the right gear. Standard tackle won't work on fish of this size, and trying to catch them without the proper tools results in lost lures and broken lines.
Essential Gear Checklist
- Special Lures: You can't catch legendary fish with standard bread or corn. You need the Special Lake Lure, Special River Lure, and Special Swamp Lure. Buy these from the bait shop in Lagras as soon as Chapter 3 opens.
- Upgraded Fishing Rod: While you start with a basic rod, the game gives you a sturdy replacement early on. Make sure your line is clean and your inventory is stocked with live bait just in case a secondary species takes interest.
- Stamina Management: Fishing drains your stamina if you fight the fish incorrectly. Always push the left analog stick in the opposite direction the fish is pulling, and rotate the right stick only when the fish stops thrashing.
Unlocking the Questline
You can't catch all 14 fish immediately. You must first meet Jeremy Gill, a stranger located at his cabin on the shore of Flat Iron Lake, just east of Rhodes.
Once you speak with him, he hands out the "A Fisher of Fish" stranger mission and provides a map showing the general areas of the 13 main fish. The 14th fish—the legendary channel catfish—only unlocks after you've mailed the first 13 fish to Gill and received an invitation back to his cabin for a final showdown on the Rio Bravo riverbank.
All 14 Legendary Fish Locations and Tackle
Here is the exact breakdown of every legendary fish, where to find them, and what lure to tie on.
1. Legendary Largemouth Bass
- Location: San Luis River, right along the border of New Austin, southeast of Lake Don Julio.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: Cast near the grassy banks. This bass doesn't fight aggressively, but you'll need to manage your reel speed as it tires out near the current.
2. Legendary Smallmouth Bass
- Location: O'Creagh's Run, the pristine lake nestled in the Grizzlies East region of Ambarino.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: Stand near the small cabin on the southern shore. Reel steadily while matching the fish's lateral movements to keep tension low.
3. Legendary Rock Bass
- Location: Upper Montana River, directly beneath the Dakota River bend near Bard's Crossing.
- Lure: Special River Lure.
- Technique: Watch the rocky outcrop. Smallmouth and Rock bass put up quick, jerky fights, so stop reeling the second they splash.
4. Legendary Perch
- Location: Elysian Pool, north of Annesburg. Be cautious of the polluted water nearby from the mining operation.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: Perch are smaller than most legendaries, making this a quick catch if you cast toward the center of the deep pool.
5. Legendary Pickerel
- Location: Heartland Oil Fields, specifically in the small pond north of Cornwall Kerosene & Tar.
- Lure: Special Pond Lure.
- Technique: Keep your casts short. The pickerel strikes almost immediately upon the lure hitting the water's surface.
6. Legendary Bullhead Catfish
- Location: Sisika Penitentiary area, off the eastern coast of Lemoyne in the small marshy islands (though you can fish for it from the mainland shore near San Denis).
- Lure: Special Swamp Lure.
- Technique: Watch out for alligators while standing on the shore. Clear the area before casting to avoid having your line interrupted.
7. Legendary Lake Sturgeon
- Location: Paleto Bay, right off the coastline in the northern tip of the map.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: This is a heavy bottom-feeder. Keep your rod pointed upward to keep the sturgeon from dragging your line through underwater obstacles.
8. Legendary Bluegill
- Location: Flat Iron Lake, off the docks near Clemens Point in Rhodes.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: Cast out toward the open water. Bluegill fight with fast, short tugs, so don't over-rotate your reel.
9. Legendary Redfin Pickerel
- Location: Stillwater Creek, west of Thief's Landing in New Austin.
- Lure: Special River Lure.
- Technique: The creek is narrow, requiring precise casting. Aim for the deeper pockets where the creek widens.
10. Legendary Muskie
- Location: Van Horn Trading Post, right off the lighthouse pier on the eastern coast.
- Lure: Special River Lure.
- Technique: The Muskie is massive and fights hard against the ocean current. Let it run when it pulls hard, and only reel when it rests.
11. Legendary Northern Pike
- Location: Lake Isabella, high up in the snow-capped mountains of Ambarino.
- Lure: Special Lake Lure.
- Technique: Cold weather drains Arthur's stamina faster, so make sure you're wearing warm winter clothes before stepping onto the ice.
12. Legendary Perch (New Austin Variant)
- Location: Lower Montana River, near the tall trees bordering West Elizabeth and New Austin.
- Lure: Special River Lure.
- Technique: Cast into the eddies where the river slows down near the forest line.
13. Legendary Salmon
- Location: Dakota River, underneath the bridge near Window Rock in Ambarino.
- Lure: Special River Lure.
- Technique: Salmon love fast-moving water. Cast upstream and let your lure drift naturally into the current before starting your retrieve.
14. Legendary Channel Catfish
- Location: Rio Bravo, along the banks of the San Luis River after mailing the first 13 fish.
- Lure: Special Swamp Lure.
- Technique: This is the final challenge of the quest. It requires maximum patience and a heavy rod pull to land successfully.
For official background on the game's release and mechanics, you can check out Rockstar Games.
Common Angling Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players lose legendary fish because of simple mechanical errors. Keep these rules in mind:
- Don't snap your line: If a fish pulls hard and you keep spinning the reel, your line breaks instantly. Always push the stick down to lift the rod while the fish fights, and only spin when the screen prompts tell you it's safe.
- Watch your horse: Legendary fish are too big to fit in your satchel. You can only carry one large fish on the back of your horse at a time. If you catch one, ride immediately to the nearest post office to mail it to Jeremy Gill rather than risking your catch in a random shootout.
- Mind the weather: Heavy rain and thunderstorms alter fish behavior, making them less likely to bite or causing them to move deeper into uncastable water. Sleep at a campsite until morning if conditions turn sour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I catch legendary fish as John Marston?
Yes. If you haven't finished catching all 14 fish as Arthur Morgan during the main story, John Marston can finish the remaining fish and complete Jeremy Gill's stranger mission during the epilogue.
What happens if I lose a legendary fish?
If your line snaps or the fish escapes, the game doesn't penalize you permanently. Simply wait a few in-game days, return to the exact spawn coordinates, and try casting again.
Do I need to catch fish in a specific order?
No. You can catch the fish in any order you prefer, with the exception of the final 14th catfish, which requires mailing the first 13 catches first.
Why won't the fish bite my lure?
Make sure you are using the correct Special lure (Lake, River, or Swamp) matching the body of water you're standing in. Using a standard lure or standard bait will cause legendary fish to ignore your hook entirely.
