As someone who usually charges straight at a monster with a hammer, I honestly slept on fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds at first. But after Kanya handed me a rod in the Scarlet Forest, I realized this isn't just a cute little minigame—it's a full side system with quests, rare materials, and some seriously sneaky spots. Whether you're chasing Goldenfish for early quests or a Goliath Squid for the final fishing challenge, location, time of day, season, and bait all matter. Let me walk you through my favorite holes.
🎣 Fishing 101: Start With Kanya
If you're new to the system, it starts out simple. Speak to Kanya in the Scarlet Forest Encampment, and she gives you your first rod and your first fishing quest. You just cast a line, attract a fish, and hit the button when it bites. The system expands with different baits and introduces more mechanics as you take on bigger catches—especially when you start reeling in whoppers.
Even in 2026, the core loop holds up. Fishing isn't required to beat the story, but the side quests and rare materials make it worth doing. Plus, some of these spots are just gorgeous.
🗺️ The Best Fishing Spots I Keep Coming Back To
Here's a quick cheat sheet before I break each spot down:
| Fishing Spot | Location | Notable Catch |
|---|---|---|
| Scarlet Forest Base Camp Pool | Area 1, next to Kanya | Goldenfry, Sushifish, Virid Bowfin |
| Underground Lake | Scarlet Forest Area 12 via Area 8 | Goldenfish, Platinumfish, Speartuna |
| River Fishing Spot | Scarlet Forest Area 8 camp | Whetfish, Starduster, Goldenfish |
| Oasis | Windward Plains Area 13 | Gravid Bowfin, Whetfish |
| Underground Fishing Spot | Below Windward Plains Area 13 | Platinumfish, Goldenfish |
| Large Lake | Scarlet Forest Area 17 | Goliath Squid, Great Trevally, Speartuna |
| Central Basin | Oilwell Basin | Blink Angler, Burst Arowana |
| Hidden Cave | Ruins of Wyveria, south | Glass Parexus, Gunpowderfish |
1. Scarlet Forest Base Camp Pool
This is the first spot you'll find, and honestly, it's a great place to get your feet wet. It's right next to Kanya in Area 1. You can knock out your first fishing quest right there in the pool. Then, you can immediately go after the Goldenfish quest, though to keep progressing the fishing side quests, you'll need to advance the story.
Catchable fish: Bomb Arowana, Burst Arowana, Goldenfry, Sushifish, Virid Bowfin.
2. Scarlet Forest Underground Lake
This hidden cave spot is one of the best places to snag the Goldenfish for your second fishing quest. It's considered part of Area 12, but you access it by swimming underwater from the river spot near Area 8. The cave is usually full of Goldenfish and other valuable aquatic life, so if you need a big haul, this is a goldmine.
Catchable fish: Platinumfish, Speartuna, Gravid Bowfin, Gastronome Tuna, Goldenfish.
3. Scarlet Forest River Spot
Next to the Eastern pop-up camp in Area 8, there's a river fishing spot that's incredibly convenient. Because there's cover here, the game treats it as an underground fishing spot, which changes the fish that can spawn. It's also the access point for the cave in Area 12. The variety of fish makes it one of the most reliable spots in the game.
Catchable fish: Whetfish, Starduster, Grand Escunite, Escunite, Goldenfish.
4. Windward Plains Oasis
This is the only above-ground water source in the arid southwestern part of the Windward Plains. It's not packed with rare fish, but it's still a nice outdoor spot. You can catch the Gravid Bowfin, which is one of the fishing quest objectives, and Whetfish, whose scales can be used as sharpening stones.
Catchable fish: Gravid Bowfin, Sushifish, Virid Bowfin, Whetfish.
5. Windward Plains Underground Fishing Spot
Right below the Oasis, accessible through nearby tunnels, is an underground spot that adds a couple of fish you won't find above—like the Platinumfish. If you're filling out the aquatic life compendium, don't sleep on this one.
Catchable fish: Platinumfish, Goldenfish, Virid Bowfin.
6. Scarlet Forest Large Lake
This large lake in Area 17, below the pop-up camp, is one of the best places to fish in all of Monster Hunter Wilds. The big body of water is full of life, and many of the larger fish—the whoppers—can be caught there. This is important for the later fishing quests, and it's one of the best places to catch the final fishing quest target, the Goliath Squid.
Catchable fish: Goliath Squid, Great Trevally, Gajau, Gatronome Tuna, Speartuna.
7. Oilwell Basin Central Water
The later fishing spots in Oilwell Basin are mainly useful for completionists, but there are a couple of region-exclusive fish here, like the Blink Angler. The fishing spot at the top of the large central body of water is easy to access and a great place to check off some rare catches.
Catchable fish: Blink Angler, Gravid Bowfin, Burst Arowana, Bomb Arowana.
8. Ruins of Wyveria Hidden Cave
This secluded spot is in a small hidden cave in the southern part of the Ruins of Wyveria map. It's a nice safe spot where you won't be bothered, and there are a couple of Wyverian fish that completionists will want, like the Glass Parexus. It's also a good place to catch Gunpowderfish, which can be tough to find elsewhere. For those reasons, this might be the best fishing spot in all of Monster Hunter Wilds.
Catchable fish: Blind Perch, Glass Parexus, Gunpowderfish, Goldenfry.
🐟 Final Cast
Fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds is way deeper than I expected, and these spots have saved me a ton of time. If you're just starting, use Kanya's pool to learn the rhythm. If you're hunting rare catches, the Underground Lake and Ruins of Wyveria cave are essential. And if you want that final quest done, head to Area 17's big lake and brace yourself for a fight.
Bring the right bait, mind the season, and don't be afraid to explore a little. The best fishing holes are usually hidden.