You're riding through the Heartlands, maybe hunting a stray buck or just dodging a bounty hunter, when you stumble upon a guy on a pier at Flat Iron Lake. That’s Jeremy Gill. He’s a "famous" angler who’s actually kind of a fraud, and he’s the one who kicks off the A Fisher of Fish RDR2 mission. It’s one of those rare stranger missions in Red Dead Redemption 2 that feels like a relaxing vacation until you realize you’re going to be spending the next twenty hours staring at a bobber in some of the most dangerous swamps and freezing mountains on the map.
Most people think this is just a checklist for 100% completion. It isn't.
It’s actually a brilliant piece of world-building. Rockstar Games uses this quest to force you into corners of the map you’d otherwise ignore. You aren't just catching fish; you're seeing the ecosystem change from the muddy, alligator-infested waters of the Bayou Nwa to the crystal-clear, freezing runoff of the Grizzlies. Honestly, if you haven't sat there at 3:00 AM in-game, watching the fog roll over O'Creagh's Run while waiting for a Legendary Salmon to bite, you haven't really experienced the soul of this game.
Starting the Hunt for Jeremy Gill's Legends
To even get the ball rolling, you have to find Gill at Gill Landing. He hands you a map. It’s a vague, hand-drawn thing that looks like something a toddler would make if they were obsessed with trout. This map is your only guide to the 13 Legendary Fish scattered across the frontier. But here’s the thing: you can’t just go out there with some bread crumbs and a basic line.
You need the Special Lures.
Basically, don't even bother trying to catch these monsters without the Special Lake Lure, Special River Lure, and Special Swamp Lure. You get these from the bait shop in Lagras. It’s a tiny, shack-like place run by a woman who probably knows more about the mud than anyone should. If you try to use a standard lure, the Legendary Fish will just laugh at you. They won't even spawn. You’ve gotta have the right gear, or you’re just wasting your time and your patience.
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The Strategy Most People Get Wrong
Fishing in RDR2 is surprisingly technical. It's not just about hitting a button.
When you’re going after the big ones, like the Legendary Muskie at Van Horn or the Lake Sturgeon near Saint Denis, you have to fight the fish. If you just reel constantly, the line snaps. Period. You have to wait for the fish to stop splashing. Then, you pull back on the left thumbstick to yank the fish toward you, and then you reel like a madman.
A lot of players complain that their thumbs hurt after five minutes. Yeah, it’s a workout. But if you flick the rod up and down while reeling, you bring the fish in twice as fast. It’s a rhythmic thing. Pull up, reel down, pull up, reel down. It feels tactile. It feels real.
Location Matters More Than You Think
Take the Legendary Longnose Gar. It’s in the swamp. It’s crowded with weeds and, more importantly, alligators. I’ve seen players get dragged into the water by a gator while they were busy trying to land a fish. You have to clear the area first. Shoot a few rounds into the air to scare the predators off, or just thin the herd.
Then there’s the Legendary Sockeye Salmon up at Lake Isabella. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s freezing. If your cores are low, Arthur (or John) will start shaking, and your stamina will drain faster. This makes the reel-in fight significantly harder. Eat a steak before you cast. It sounds stupid, but it actually changes the mechanics of the mini-game.
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The 13 Fish You Need to Find
- Legendary Bluegill: Found in Flat Iron Lake, south of Clemens Point. Use the Special Lake Lure. It’s not the biggest fight, but it’s a solid start.
- Legendary Bullhead Catfish: This one is a nightmare. It’s at Sisika Penitentiary. You have to row a boat out there without getting shot by guards. It’s tiny, but the location makes it a high-stakes catch.
- Legendary Chain Pickerel: Dakota River, northwest of Flatneck Station. Use the Special River Lure.
- Legendary Lake Sturgeon: Under the southern bridge leading into Saint Denis. Watch out for the boats; the wake can actually mess with your line.
- Legendary Largehead Bass: San Luis River. This is New Austin territory, so you’ll likely be John Marston by the time you get this one.
- Legendary Longnose Gar: Bayou Nwa. Use the Special Swamp Lure. Watch for gators. Always watch for gators.
- Legendary Muskie: Right by the lighthouse in Van Horn. The water is choppy here, which makes seeing the ripple harder.
- Legendary Perch: Elysian Pool. This water is actually tainted by a nearby mine, so the fish looks... a bit rough.
- Legendary Redfin Pickerel: Stillwater Creek in New Austin.
- Legendary Rock Bass: Aurora Basin in Tall Trees. The scenery here is incredible, but the woods are full of Skinner Brothers, so keep a sawed-off shotgun handy.
- Legendary Smallmouth Bass: Owanjila Lake. It’s west of Strawberry. Probably the most peaceful spot in the whole quest.
- Legendary Sockeye Salmon: Lake Isabella. It’s cold. Bring a coat.
- Legendary Steelhead Trout: Willard’s Rest, at the very top northeast corner of the map. It’s right by a waterfall.
The Mystery of the 14th Fish
Once you mail all thirteen fish to Jeremy Gill, he invites you to his shack for one last trip. He wants to go to Rio Bravo to catch the Legendary Channel Catfish. This is where the mission takes a weird turn.
If you’ve played it, you know. If you haven't, well, let's just say Jeremy Gill is a lot more confident than he is competent. The "quest" ends in a way that is classic Rockstar—a mix of dark humor and a lingering mystery. People spent years searching the game files for that 180-pound catfish. They looked everywhere.
The truth? You can’t catch it. It’s a scripted event.
The legendary catfish is a ghost story. It’s meant to show that even in a world as detailed as RDR2, some things remain out of reach. It drives completionists crazy, but it’s a brilliant narrative choice. It cements Gill as a tragic, slightly ridiculous figure who was obsessed with a glory that didn't really exist.
Tips for the Dedicated Angler
If you’re struggling to get the fish to bite, look for the ripples. Use your Eagle Eye (click both sticks) while your fishing rod is equipped. The Legendary Fish will glow with a distinct ripple pattern. If you don't see it, you're in the wrong spot. Move twenty feet down the bank.
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Time of day also matters. Most fish are more active in the early morning or when it’s overcast. If the sun is beating down and the water looks like glass, the fish are deep. Wait for the rain. The rain in RDR2 isn't just a visual effect; it actually changes the spawn rates for certain wildlife, including the big lunkers.
Also, don't forget to mail the fish immediately. These things are huge. They take up the back of your horse, which means you can’t carry a carcass or a second large pelt. Go to the nearest post office—Valentine, Rhodes, Saint Denis, wherever—and send it off to Gill. If you lose the fish (like if your horse trips and falls into a river), don't panic. It will eventually show up as "caught" in your compendium, but you won't get the reward money for mailing it.
Why Bother With This Mission?
Beyond the rewards—like the Special Spinner, which is basically a "cheat code" lure that attracts every fish in the game—the mission is about the journey. RDR2 is a game that wants you to slow down. It wants you to stop sprinting through the story and just... exist in the world.
Fishing is the ultimate "slow down" mechanic. You’re forced to be quiet. You’re forced to watch the light change. You’re forced to listen to the ambient sounds of the woods. For a game about outlaws and gunfights, the A Fisher of Fish RDR2 questline is a necessary breath of fresh air. It provides a sense of peace that makes the violent sections of the game hit much harder.
Actionable Next Steps for Completion
- Check Your Progress: Open your Satchel and look at the Legendary Fish Map. Any fish with an 'X' over it is done. If it’s not crossed out, you haven't sent it to Gill yet.
- Stock Up on Lures: Head to Lagras. Buy the Special Lake, River, and Swamp lures. They cost about $20 each. It’s the best investment you’ll make.
- Hunt the Sockeye First: It’s a good test of your skills. If you can handle the reel-in at Lake Isabella, you can handle any fish in the game.
- Clear Your Horse: Make sure your horse’s back is empty before you head out. These fish are massive and occupy the same slot as a deer carcass.
- Use Eagle Eye: Don't cast blindly. Use Eagle Eye to spot the specific "Legendary" silhouette in the water to save yourself from catching standard Muskie or Bass for an hour.
- Watch the Mail: After the 13th fish is sent, wait 24 in-game hours. You'll get an invitation from Jeremy Gill. This is the final stage of the quest.