You've probably been standing by a river in the Scarlet Forest for twenty minutes, staring at the murky water and questioning your life choices. Honestly, we've all been there. You're looking for the Gravid Bowfin in MH Wilds, a fish that seems to have a personal vendetta against being caught. Kanya makes it sound so simple. "Just go get a fish for the eggs," she says. But then you realize this isn't just a fish—it's a test of your actual sanity.
Most players stumble into the "Fishing for Flavor" side quest and think they can just chuck a net into the water. Big mistake.
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Why the Gravid Bowfin is Ruining Your Day
The biggest misconception about the Gravid Bowfin in MH Wilds is that it's just a regular spawn you can find anywhere. It's not. If you’re using the capture net, stop right now. Seriously. The quest explicitly requires you to use a fishing rod. If you net it, it won't count toward your progress, and you'll just have to wait for the pond to reset.
It’s frustrating.
The fish itself is a variant of the Virid Bowfin. While the Virid is everywhere and bright green, the Gravid is a reddish-brown or "orangey" color. It’s also significantly rarer. You aren't going to find a school of them. Usually, there's just one hiding among a group of its common cousins.
Best Locations to Check
Don't just stick to the first puddle you see. The Gravid Bowfin has a few favorite haunts, but some are definitely better than others.
- Windward Plains (Area 13): This is the gold mine. There’s an oasis pool here that is arguably the most consistent spawn point.
- Scarlet Forest (Base Camp): Right near Kanya. It's convenient, but the spawn rate feels lower here.
- Oilwell Basin: Specifically Area 14, though the visibility can be a nightmare.
- Ruins of Wyveria: Check the hidden cave southwest of Area 13.
- Iceshard Cliffs: The icy shore in Area 1.
The Secret Sauce: Timing and Seasons
You can’t just show up at noon during a sandstorm and expect the Bowfin to be waiting for you. This fish is picky. It specifically prefers the Season of Plenty. If you’re in a different season, your chances of seeing one drop faster than your stamina bar during a marathon.
Dawn and dusk. Those are your windows.
If you've reached Chapter 4 and unlocked High Rank, you can actually manipulate this. Go to your tent and spend a few hundred Guild Points to change the season to Plenty. Then, wait for the sun to either come up or start setting.
The "Up-Down, Left-Right" Method
Getting the fish to appear is only half the battle. Getting it to bite is where people lose their minds. Kanya gives you the Emerald Jitterbait, which is the "correct" lure, but the Bowfin is often less interested in it than the other fish in the pond.
Here is the trick: move the lure vertically (up and down) to get its attention. Once it turns toward the bait, switch to a horizontal wiggle (left and right). This combo seems to trigger the predatory instinct of the Gravid Bowfin specifically.
Be patient. If other fish are getting in the way, you might have to catch them first just to clear the "lane" for your target.
Rewards and Next Steps
So, why are you doing this? Besides the satisfaction of finally sticking it to a digital fish?
Once you bring that reddish-brown prize back to Kanya at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp, she’ll hand over the goods. You get 3x Jeweled Mullet Roe, 5x Honey, and 100 Guild Points. More importantly, it unlocks the next step in her questline: "The Catch of a Lifetime!"
The Jeweled Mullet Roe is actually a great ingredient for high-tier cooking, so catching a few extra isn't the worst idea if you want those sweet, sweet buffs before a major hunt.
Actionable Checklist for Success
- Check the Season: Ensure it's the Season of Plenty. Use Guild Points at the tent to swap if you're impatient.
- Time it Right: Arrive at the Windward Plains Oasis (Area 13) at sunrise.
- Visual ID: Look for the long, reddish-brown shape. Ignore the green ones.
- Use the Rod: Never the net. Use the Emerald Jitterbait.
- The Lure Dance: Up-down to attract, left-right to bite.
If you don't see it, don't panic. Just fast travel to another region or rest at a pop-up camp to reset the spawns. It’ll show up eventually. Happy fishing, Hunter.
Next Steps:
Go to the Windward Plains during the Season of Plenty and check the Area 13 oasis at dawn; if the Gravid Bowfin isn't there, catch all the other fish in the pond and then fast travel to a different locale and back to force a spawn reset.