You’re standing on a rickety pier in the Bayou Nwa, the humidity practically sticking to Arthur Morgan’s face, and you’ve got nothing to show for it but a handful of bluegill. It’s frustrating. Rockstar Games didn't make trophy fishing easy in Red Dead Redemption 2, but honestly, that’s why we still play it years later. To actually start your career as a world-class angler, you need the rdr2 legendary fish map, but getting the physical paper is only half the battle.
Most players stumble into this by accident. You might be wandering around the northeast shores of Flat Iron Lake when you see a stranger standing on a dock. That’s Jeremy Gill. He’s a bit of a fraud, a "famous" fisherman who actually just pays people to catch big fish so he can take the credit. After a brief, somewhat smug conversation, he hands you the map. This starts the "A Fisher of Fish" quest. From that moment on, your map is populated with crude drawings of massive fish wearing tiny crowns. But the drawing on the map isn't always exactly where the fish is hiding.
The First Hurdle: Getting the Right Gear
Don't even bother casting your line with bread or corn. You’ll just waste your time. Once you have the map, you need to head to the Bait and Tackle shop in Lagras. This is non-negotiable. You need Special Lake Lures, Special River Lures, and Special Swamp Lures. Regular lures won't attract the legendary variants. They just won't. If you try to use a standard lure, you're just fishing for dinner, not for glory.
Each fish on the rdr2 legendary fish map is tied to a specific body of water. The Legendary Sockeye Salmon, for instance, is chilling in the freezing waters of Lake Isabella up in Ambarino. It’s beautiful, it’s quiet, and if you don't bring the Special Lake Lure, you are going to be standing in the snow for a very long time.
Location Specifics and Environmental Hazards
Let's talk about the Legendary Bullhead Catfish. It’s located at Sisika Penitentiary. Yes, the prison. You have to steal a boat and row all the way out there. If the guards see you, they will shoot. It’s a high-stakes fishing trip. Most people get confused because the icon on the map is a bit vague, but you want to fish in the waters on the western side of the island.
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Then there’s the Legendary Longnose Gar. This one is a nightmare. It’s in the swampy waters of Bluewater Marsh. Here’s the thing: while you’re trying to reel in this prehistoric-looking monster, there are literally dozens of American Alligators watching you. One wrong step and Arthur becomes lunch. You have to clear the immediate area of predators before you even think about pulling out your rod.
- Legendary Muskie: Found at Van Horn Trading Post. Look near the lighthouse. The water is choppy, so keep your rod tip high.
- Legendary Steelhead Trout: Located at Willard's Rest, way up in the northeast corner of the map. It's right by the waterfall.
- Legendary Perch: Elysian Pool. This one is easy to find but depressing once you see the state of the water.
Why Your Map Might Be Lying To You
Sometimes you’ll arrive at a spot marked on the rdr2 legendary fish map, cast your line, and get nothing. For hours. It’s usually because of the weather or the time of day. While legendary fish can technically be caught whenever, they bite much more frequently during overcast or rainy weather. If the sun is beating down and the water is still, the fish are deeper.
Also, verify your position. If the game doesn't give you the notification in the top left corner saying "You have entered a legendary animal territory," you aren't in the right spot. Move twenty feet to the left. Try the other side of the bridge. The game's detection zones are surprisingly picky.
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The Struggle of the Reel
Catching these isn't just about clicking a button. It’s a physical battle. When the fish is splashing and fighting, stop reeling. Seriously. If you keep reeling while the fish is struggling, your line will snap. You’ve probably seen the prompt to pull back on the Left Stick to "pull" the fish toward you. Do it rhythmically. It’s a dance.
The Legendary Sturgeon under the railroad bridge near Saint Denis is a prime example. It’s huge. It takes a long time to tire out. If you rush it, you lose it. You've got to be patient.
The Strange Case of the Legendary Channel Catfish
There is a massive amount of misinformation online about the 14th fish. If you look at your rdr2 legendary fish map after catching the first 13, you might notice one left: the Legendary Channel Catfish in the San Luis River.
Here is the truth: you cannot catch it. Not as Arthur, and not as John. After you mail all 13 fish to Jeremy Gill, he invites you to a final encounter at Rio Bravo. Without spoiling the cutscene too much, let’s just say Jeremy goes into the water, and you’re left with his hat. People have spent years scouring the game files trying to find a way to catch that catfish. It’s a myth. It’s Rockstar’s way of trolling the completionists. Don't waste your life trying to catch a fish that doesn't exist in the game's active code as a catchable entity.
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Managing Your Haul
Once you land a big one—and I mean the big ones like the Muskie or the Sturgeon—you can't just put them in your pocket. They go on the back of your horse. This means you can really only hunt one legendary fish at a time if they are the large species. Smaller ones, like the Redfin Pickerel or the Perch, go into your satchel.
Pro tip: Head straight to the nearest Post Office. You have to mail these fish to Jeremy Gill to get credit for the quest. If you die with a legendary fish on your horse before mailing it, it's gone from your horse, but it counts as "caught" in your compendium. However, you won't get the rewards from Gill unless you actually mail the carcass. The game eventually resets the fish so you can catch it again if you lose the body, but it’s a massive pain in the neck.
Practical Steps for Your Next Session
If you want to clear the rdr2 legendary fish map efficiently, stop trying to do it all at once. It’s a marathon.
- Stock up in Lagras: Buy 10 of every special lure. You’ll lose some to snags or bad luck.
- Check the Weather: If it's raining, drop everything and head to the nearest legendary spot. The bite rate increases significantly.
- Eagle Eye is King: Use Eagle Eye while your rod is equipped. The legendary fish will appear as a much larger, glowing ripple in the water. This helps you aim your cast directly at their head.
- The "Reel In" Trick: Change your settings in the menu to "Hold to Reel" instead of spinning the analog stick. Your thumbs will thank you, and it makes catching the heavier fish like the Sturgeon significantly easier.
The hunt is really about seeing parts of the map you'd otherwise ignore. From the toxic waters of the Elysian Pool to the crystal clear streams of the Grizzlies, the fishing quest is a tour of the American frontier's hidden corners. Just watch out for the bounty hunters while you're focused on the water. Nothing ruins a fishing trip like a bullet to the back of the head.