You've probably been there. Standing on the banks of the Dakota River, flicking a lure into the water for twenty minutes, and catching nothing but Steelhead Trout or Muskies. It’s frustrating. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece of detail, but the fishing mechanics—specifically for the Legendary Chain Pickerel RDR2—can feel like they’re gaslighting you.
Most players assume that just because they’re in the right "circle" on the map, the fish should just jump onto the hook. Honestly? It doesn't work like that. If you aren't using the right lure or standing in the exact right spot, you're basically just wasting your afternoon.
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The Jeremy Gill Factor: Don't Waste Your Time
Before you even think about heading to the river, you have to trigger the quest. I've seen people try to hunt legendary fish in Chapter 2 before ever meeting Jeremy Gill. You won't find them.
You need to head over to Gill’s Landing on the north shore of Flat Iron Lake. Talk to the man. He’s a bit of a blowhard, but he gives you the Legendary Fish Map. This is your "license" to actually have these fish spawn in the world. Without this interaction, that Legendary Chain Pickerel basically doesn't exist in your game file.
Finding the Exact Spot
The map shows the pickerel in the Dakota River. That’s a long river.
Specifically, you want to look northwest of Flatneck Station. If you find the burned-out remains of the town called Limpany, you’re in the right zip code. Look for a spot where the river narrows and there are some small rocky outcrops or "islands" in the middle of the stream.
Pro Tip: Don't fish from the high banks. Get your boots wet. If you stand on the small landmass in the middle of the river southeast of Painted Sky, your cast has a much better angle to hit the deep pockets where the pickerel actually hides.
The Weather Myth
A lot of people say you need "perfect" weather. The game's compendium claims this fish likes sunny days. While that's technically true for a higher spawn rate of standard pickerel, the legendary version is a scripted spawn.
Sun helps you see the ripple in the water, sure. But I’ve pulled this thing out during a torrential downpour. Don't sit at a campfire for three days waiting for the sun to come out. Just go fish.
The Only Lure That Actually Works
If you’re using corn, bread, or even standard lures, stop. You are wasting your time and likely just catching food for your camp.
To catch the Legendary Chain Pickerel RDR2, you need the Special River Lure.
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You can’t buy this at a regular General Store. You have to travel to the Bait Shop in Lagras. It’s a swampy, creepy little shack, but the woman there sells the "Special" versions of the Lake, River, and Swamp lures for $20 each.
- Standard Lures: Attract medium fish.
- Special Lures: Attract Legendary fish and prevent small fry from biting.
How to Win the Fight
Once you hook it, the real game starts. The Legendary Chain Pickerel isn't the biggest fish in the game—it’s usually around 19 inches and 9 pounds—but it’s fast.
- Use Eagle Eye: With your rod equipped, trigger Eagle Eye ($L3 + R3$). Look for the biggest silhouette in the water. It’ll usually be moving faster than the others.
- The Cast: Don’t just chuck it as far as you can. Cast just past where you see the ripples.
- The Struggle: When the fish splashes and pulls, stop reeling. If you reel while it's struggling, your line will snap. Hold the Left Stick down to keep it from pulling more line out.
- The Reel: As soon as the splashing stops, pull the Left Stick back (up) and reel fast.
Mailing the Evidence
Once you land it, the game treats it like a large pelt. You can’t just put it in your pocket. You have to stow it on the back of your horse.
Ride to the nearest Post Office—Valentine is usually the closest—and mail it to Jeremy Gill. If you get into a shootout or fall off a cliff on the way, you might lose the physical fish. Don’t worry; it will still count as "caught" in your Compendium, but you won't get the specific reward from Gill until it's mailed.
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Actionable Steps for Your Hunt
To get this done in one trip, follow this exact sequence:
- Visit Lagras: Buy the Special River Lure before heading into the heartlands.
- Locate Painted Sky: Use this as your landmark on the Dakota River.
- Kill the Steelhead: If you keep catching Steelhead Trout, you're likely standing too far downstream. Move slightly north towards the bend.
- Stow Carefully: If you see a pack of wolves on the way to the post office, keep your distance. A dead horse means a lost fish.
The Legendary Chain Pickerel is one of the easier legendary catches once you stop treating it like a normal fish. Use the special lure, find the island in the river, and don't rush the reel. You'll have it in the mail before sundown.