Catching Legendary Fish in Red Dead Redemption 2 is part of an extensive side quest that has you traveling all over the map. Legendary Fish are the biggest, meanest members of their respective species, and there are 14 of them to seek out and catch. While there is a way to get a map leading you to the Legendary Fish locations in Red Dead 2, we’ll help you pinpoint how to find them and what the best bait or lure is to catch them.
You can search out and catch Legendary Fish either on your own or as part of the “A Fisher of Fish” side quest. We commend waiting to go after them until you accept the side quest. Otherwise, you may find yourself unable to complete it. We’re unsure whether you can get a Legendary Fish to appear again after catching it, so be warned.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Legendary Fish Mission Location
To trigger the Legendary Fish mission, A Fisher of Fish, in Red Dead 2, you need to wait until Chapter 3 and search along the northeast bank of Flat Iron Lake. There you’ll find a pier and meet Jeremy Gill. Jeremy will task you with catching the 13 Legendary Fish that inhabit the waters of RDR2. He’ll also give you a handy map showing you the general area in which you can find each fish.
When you catch a Legendary Fish, you’ll need to mail it to Jeremy at any post office. Most of these fish are too big to carry in your satchel, so you’ll want to have your horse around to store them for the ride.
Once you send all 13 Legendary Fish to Jeremy, he’ll take you on a trip to the Rio Bravo to catch the 14th one, the Channel Catfish.
Starting A Fisher of Fish also allows you to buy the Special Lake Lure, Special River Lure, and Special Swamp Lure, at the Bait Shop near Lagras. These lures make catching Legendary Fish in each of those locations easier. For completing the mission, Jeremy gives you the Special Spinner, the best lure in the game.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Legendary Fish Locations and Best Lures to Use
Below we’ll show you where to find each of the 13 Legendary Fish that you’ll need to get to complete A Fisher of Fish. We’ll also include info on which lure is the best to use for each one. However, if you don’t happen to have the best lure you can use, others will also work, just not as well.
Legendary Bluegill
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
South-southwest of Rhodes, you’ll see a series of five islands near the eastern shore of Flat Iron Lake. If you squint your eyes, the two larger islands kind of look like the number “71.” East of the “1,” you’ll see a small piece of land jutting into the lake directly south of an inlet. If you fish off the western shore of this area, you’ll find the Legendary Bluegill.
Legendary Bullhead Catfish
Best Lure: Special River Lure
To find the Legendary Bullhead Catfish, you’re going to have to head to Sisika Island, across the water east of Saint Denis. The best way to get here is by boat. You can either search around until you come across one or unlock the appropriate upgrade at camp that gives you your own.
Once you have a boat, stick close to the shore until you’re directly west of Sisika. Then, paddle your way to the western part of the island. The northern and southern halves of the islands are split by water, and it’s in the mouth of this inlet that you can fish for the Legendary Bullhead Catfish.
Legendary Chain Pickerel
Best Lure: Special River Lure
East of Strawberry and west of Flatneck Station, you’ll see the Dakota River winding northward. You’ll likely see the alert that this Legendary Fish is nearby early in the game, as several mission routes take you this way.
Near where the Dakota River empties into Flat Iron Lake, it makes an S curve. Near the second hump of the S, north of Flatneck Station, you can drop your line in the water to find Legendary Chain Pickerel.
Legendary Lake Sturgeon
Best Lure: Special River Lure
To get to the Legendary Lake Sturgeon, you’ll need to head to the railroad bridge south of Caliga Hall connecting the line from Rhodes to Saint Denis. When walking out onto the bridge, you’ll want to stand as near the edge as possible to avoid getting hit. You should be able to catch the Sturgeon if you start casting at about the halfway point of the bridge.
Legendary Largemouth Bass
Best Lure: Special River Lure
To find the Legendary Largemouth Bass, you need to head all the way down to New Austin. South of Armadillo, you’ll find Lake Don Julio, and southeast of that, you’ll reach the San Luis River. On the shores of the river southeast of Lake Don Julio, you can cast to catch this massive bass.
Legendary Longnose Gar
Best Lure: Special Swamp Lure
In the southwest of Lagras, you’ll find the Legendary Longnose Gar. Here you’ll see a peninsula called Lakay. Fish from the tip of Lakay to nab the Gar.
Legendary Muskie
Best Lure: Special River Lure
The Legendary Muskie is one of the easiest of the Legendary Fish to find in Red Dead Redemption 2. To get it, you need to head to the Van Horn Trading Post to the east of Emerald Ranch and south of Annesburg. You’ll find a lighthouse here. At the base of the lighthouse, you can fish for the Muskie.
Legendary Perch
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
You’ll want to start in Annesburg if you want to find the Legendary Perch. When you head southwest out of Annesburg, you’ll come across a body of water called the Elysian Pool. Here you can fish for the Perch.
Legendary Redfin Pickerel
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
The Legendary Redfin Pickerel is another fish that will take you to the west. To find it, you need to go to New Austin. From Thieves landing, head west until you reach a river delta. Nearby, you’ll find a small pool of water called Stillwater Creek. Here is where you can cast to get the Legendary Redfin Pickerel.
Legendary Rock Bass
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
The Legendary Rock Bass can be found in a small lake named Aurora’s Basin. To get there, you’ll need to head due west out of Blackwater, all the way past Manzanita Post and almost on the western border of West Elizabeth.
Legendary Smallmouth Bass
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
Finding the Legendary Smallmouth Bass is easy. You just need to head west out of Strawberry and ride a short distance. Not too far from the town, you’ll find Owanjila Lake where you can fish for the bass.
Legendary Sockeye Salmon
Best Lure: Special Lake Lure
Fishing for the Legendary Sockeye Salmon will take you to the Grizzlies. In the northwest of the state of Ambarino, north of Wallace Station, you’ll find Lake Isabella. You can cast from the southeastern shores of this lake to get the salmon.
Legendary Steelhead Trout
Best Lure: Special River Lure
The Legendary Steelhead Trout will take you to an area you’ve likely not ventured. To find it, head straight north out of Annesburg. You’ll eventually run into a river that you can follow northeast. Near the edge of the map, you can fish in the river to catch the trout.
Legendary Channel Catfish
After mailing all 13 of the above fish to Jeremy Gill, he’ll invite you on a trip to the Rio Bravo to catch the 14th Legendary Fish. You’ll have to make it to Epilogue 1 before this quest is available. Once you’ve got through this mission, you’re done, and you’ll get the Special Spinner as a reward.
