Red Dead Redemption 2: How To Catch The Biggest Fish | 'It Was THIS Big!' Guide

When you’re not robbing and shooting your way through the massive open-world of Red Dead Redemption 2, you can stop and soak in some nature with one of its most relaxing optional activities — fishing! And there’s one giant super-fish you can catch if you’ve prepared yourself. The most legendary of the legendary fish, the Channel Catfish, is your final target. Learn how to catch this beast with our complete guide.

To help make things easier, I’m also going to explain advanced reeling techniques, and where to find the best lures to catch legendary fish. Legendary fish only appear in very specific locations, and they’re much, much harder to catch. Naturally, the Channel Catfish (weighing in at an insane 180 lbs) is the hardest of all, and you’ll want to be prepared before tackling him.

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How To Catch The Biggest Fish | ‘It Was THIS Big!’ Guide

The biggest fish in RDR2 is the Channel Catfish, weighing in at 180+ lbs. To catch him, you’ll need to complete some steps — you must complete most of the ‘A Fisher of Fish‘ stranger mission.

To unlock the legendary fishing map, travel to the northeast shore of Flat Iron Lake. There, you’ll find a man named Jeremy Gill. This will initiate ‘A Fisher of Fish‘.
- The map shows all thirteen legendary fish locations. Catch all 13 and send them to Gill through the mail.
Once you’ve sent all 13 legendary fish to Gill, you’ll be invited on a final fishing trip to capture the Channel Catfish.
- The fishing trip to catch the Channel Catfish is only available as early as Epilogue: Part 1.

Just knowing where to find the 13 legendary fish isn’t enough. You also need to be prepared for a tough fight with each one. Here’s everything you need to know about making the legendary fish appear, and how to catch them.

Legendary Fishing Tips & Tricks

Before beginning the hunt for legendary fish, you’ll want to stock up on the highest quality fishing lures. There are three fishing lures you need before beginning the quest; the Special Lake Lure, the Special River Lure, and the Special Swamp Lure.

To get ‘Special’ Lures: Go to the Bait and Tackle Shop on the west shore of Lagras, north of Saint Denis. This unique shop sells the best quality lures.
- The ‘Special’ Lures cost $20 each.

Once you have the right lures, you’ll need to travel to the locations marked on your map. You’ll also need to select the proper lure, preferred bait, and wait until the weather is right.

Legendary Fish | Bait, Lure & Weather Requirements:
- Legendary Small Mouth Bass:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Rain
- Legendary Chain Pickerel:
  - Special River Lure
  - Corn
- Legendary Sockeye Salmon:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Sunny
- Legendary Rock Bass:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Cheese
- Legendary Redfin Pickerel:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Bread
- Legendary Largemouth Bass:
  - Special River Lure
  - Rain
- Legendary Bluegill:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Cheese
- Legendary Lake Sturgeon:
  - Special River Lure
  - Overcast
- Legendary Longnose Gar:
  - Special Swamp Lure
  - Overcast
- Legendary Bullhead Catfish:
  - Special River Lure
  - Corn
- Legendary Muskie:
  - Special River Lure
  - Sunny
- Legendary Perch:
  - Special Lake Lure
  - Bread
- Legendary Steelhead Trout:
  - Special River Lure
  - Rain
  - Worms