Embark on a tranquil yet challenging side adventure in Monster Hunter Wilds with Kanya, the passionate fisherwoman of the Scarlet Forest Base Camp. Forget your hunting horns and greatswords for a moment, and instead, grab your fishing rod! Kanya offers a series of five engaging fishing quests that will test your angling skills and patience. From hooking any basic fish to landing unusual and elusive underwater animals, this guide will lead you through every quest, disclosing the locations, baits, and methods necessary to finish Kanya’s tasks and gain beneficial rewards. Prepare to cast your line and submerge yourself in the peaceful realm of fishing in Monster Hunter Wilds.
All Fishing Quests in Monster Hunter Wilds
Kanya can be found at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp, fishing by the water’s edge. She offers five different fishing quests in Monster Hunter Wilds, at least in the current build, and she’s pretty passionate about her hobby. A quick heads-up: these are fishing quests, so put away your Capture Net! You’ll need to catch all the fish using your rod and reel.
You first meet Kanya at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp, where she kicks off her questline with the Fishing: Life, in Microcosm side quest. As you progress, the fish she asks you to catch get rarer, with some only appearing at certain times, using specific lures, or under particular weather conditions. If you’re up for the challenge, Kanya’s fishing quests will test your patience, and your skills.
How to Start the Fishing Life in Microcosm
After finishing Chapter 1-3, Forest Findings, side quests become available for the first time in Wilds. Chapter 1-4, The Investigation Continues, kicks off with a request for you to return to the Scarlet Forest Base Camp. When you arrive, you’ll find someone waiting to give you your first side quest, Kanya.
Kanya Location
To find Kanya, go to the southern edge of the Scarlet Forest Base Camp. You’ll spot her — the red-haired fisher, standing on a rock in the water behind the Provisions Stockpile cart. Talk to her to start the side quest Fishing: Life in Microcosm.
How to Complete the Fishing Life in Microcosm
To start this side quest, you can catch any fish from any body of water — including the small pool where Kanya is fishing. So why not join her and dive straight into the fishing tutorial while you’re there?
First, open your inventory and select the Fishing Rod. Then, equip it by pressing Square on PS, X on Xbox, or E on PC. With the rod in hand, hold L2 (PS5), LT (Xbox), or Right Mouse Button (PC) to get ready to cast. A white circle will appear, showing where you’re aiming — move it around until you find the perfect spot. Once you’re set, cast your line by pressing R2 (PS5), RT (Xbox), or Left Mouse Button (PC).
While waiting for a fish to bite, you can jig your lure or reel it in at different speeds. To jig the lure, tilt down on the Left Stick (PS5/Xbox) or press S (PC). If you want to reel in quickly or slowly, move the Left Stick up and down (PS5/Xbox) or press W and S (PC).
The moment a fish bites, press R2 (PS5), RT (Xbox), or Left Mouse Button (PC) to reel it in.
Once you’ve caught a fish, head back to Kanya. She’ll reward you with:
- 5x Sushifish Scale
- 5x Honey
How to Start the Seeking the Goldenfish Quest
Hunting for a Goldenfish is one of the side quests you can tackle for extra rewards in Monster Hunter Wilds. It’s the second quest from Kanya, who you’ll find at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp. Before you can take on this challenge, you first need to complete Kanya’s initial quest, Fishing: Life in Microcosm, where you catch any fish. Once that’s done, she’ll set you on your next task catching a Goldenfish.
To make things easier, Kanya will give you a Golden Bughead lure to help attract the fish. If you chat with her again after accepting the quest, she’ll mention that Goldenfish are fairly common, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one.
Location of Goldenfish
Goldenfish can be found in every region of the game, but if you’re following Kanya’s fishing quests, the Scarlet Forest is your best bet. This area is full of life, especially aquatic creatures making it a great place to search for Goldenfish. While you’re free to explore other regions, the Scarlet Forest offers a reliable spot to find what you need.
According to Kanya and the quest details, Goldenfish prefer cooler, darker environments, so you’ll have the most luck finding them in caves. They tend to stay hidden away from open waters, so you’ll need to seek out these shaded spots.
In the Scarlet Forest, the most consistent and easiest place to find Goldenfish is in Area 12, just south of the Wudwud Hideout. It’s a quick and convenient spot to check. To get there, head south from the hideout and look for a cave tucked behind a waterfall. Once inside, watch for Goldenfish swimming in the deeper, shadowy parts of the cave waters. With a bit of patience and the right technique, you’ll catch one in no time for Kanya’s quest.
How to Catch Goldenfish
At the start of the game, you only have one type of bait, the Common Wood Minnow. It’s a solid choice for attracting a variety of fish, but it’s not always the fastest way to catch a specific one. Luckily, for this quest, Kanya gives you two extra bait options: the Golden Bughead and the Emerald Jitterbait.
To catch a Goldenfish, you’ll want to use the Golden Bughead. Equipping it is simple, with your Fishing Rod out, hold L1 (PS) or LB (Xbox), then scroll through your bait options, just like switching Bow Coatings. Once you’ve selected the Golden Bughead, aim and cast your line.
Goldenfish aren’t too fussy, they’ll dart toward the bait as soon as it’s close. You might also hook a Goldenfry, not needed for the quest, but they drop valuable materials you can sell. If the fish don’t bite right away, try moving the rod slightly or reeling the bait closer to them, small movements can grab their attention. Once a Goldenfish takes the bait, reel it in with a steady hand.
Once you’ve reeled in a Goldenfish, head back to base camp and talk to Kanya again. She’ll cheer you on for your catch and suggest selling the Goldenfish at the provisioner’s since it’s worth a good amount.
After your chat, the quest will be marked as complete. As a reward, you’ll receive:
- 3x Whetfish Fin
- 5x Honey
Plus, you’ll earn some experience and 50 Guild Points.
How to Start the Fishing For Flavor quest
Starting this quest is simple. First, you need to finish Kanya’s Seeking the Goldenfish quest. Once completed, she’ll reward you with two new bait options: the Golden Bughead and the Emerald Jitterbait — the latter is essential for this next task.
This time, your goal is to catch the Gravid Bowfin, one of the rarest fish in the game. While you might be used to using the Capture Net to catch fish, that won’t work here. To complete the quest, you’ll need to hook and reel in the Gravid Bowfin with your Fishing Rod.
Location of Gravid Bowfin
The Gravid Bowfin can be found in every region, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to catch. It has a low spawn rate no matter where you search, so be prepared to cover a lot of ground — both literally and figuratively. These fish tend to stick to the outer edges of bodies of water and swim deeper than most, making them tricky to spot.
Since the Gravid Bowfin is red, the best time to look for it is during Plenty weather in the Scarlet Forest. When the water turns red during other weather conditions, the fish blend right in, making them almost impossible to see. To boost your chances, search during Plenty weather, either at dawn or dusk. They can appear in several areas, including the Windward Plains, Scarlet Forest, Oilwell Basin, Iceshard Cliffs, and the Ruins of Wyveria.
If you’re in the Windward Plains, check Area 13, it’s fairly easy to reach by going through the underground caves or crossing the sand dunes. For those at the Scarlet Forest Camp, there’s a fishing spot near where Kanya often stands, that’s another place where the Gravid Bowfin might show up. Just remember, these fish are rare, and their appearance doesn’t seem tied to any particular regional state, so patience is key!
How to Catch Gravid Bowfin
Gravid Bowfins are especially drawn to the Emerald Jitterbait, but they’re more cautious than most fish. To increase your chances of catching one, cast your bait close to them and reel it in slowly, with small pauses — this works much better than flicking or dragging the bait too quickly. Once a Gravid Bowfin bites, just pull the trigger, and there you have it — your very own Gravid Bowfin.
If you need to switch your lure, hold L1 (PS5), LB (Xbox), or CTRL (PC). Then, press Triangle or X (PS5), Y or A (Xbox), or use the arrow keys (PC) to scroll through your bait options.
When fishing for the Gravid Bowfin, a slow, steady reel is key. It catches their attention, but you’ll need a bit of patience — they’re not as quick to bite as other fish, so don’t be surprised if you reel in a few others before finally hooking a Gravid. To reel in slowly, gently move the Left Stick up and down on PS5 and Xbox, or press W and S on PC. The moment you feel a bite, quickly press R2 (PS5), RT (Xbox), or the Left Mouse Button (PC) to reel it in. Stay patient — the Gravid Bowfin is rare, but with the right technique, you’ll land one soon enough!
Once you’ve caught the Gravid Bowfin, head back to Kanya and hand it over to complete the quest. She’ll congratulate you on your catch, and you’ll be rewarded with a Fish Shell, Hunter Rank XP, Guild Points, and some cooking ingredients to use for your next hunt.
How to start The Catch of a Lifetime quest
In Monster Hunter Wilds, Kanya assigns you the Catch of a Lifetime quest, asking you to catch one of these massive aquatic beasts. While Whoppers are easier to find than some of the other fish she’s sent you after, reeling them in is a bit more challenging. Their size means you’ll have to tackle a special minigame to successfully catch one.
Location of Whopper
If you’re ready to start your hunt, the best spot is at the top level of the Scarlet Forest, specifically in Area 17. Head past the ruins, and you’ll find deeper waters, a perfect place to search for big fish.
The current weather conditions in the Scarlet Forest will affect what fish appear and how many of these larger ones, or “whoppers”, you’ll come across. To spot a good fishing spot, watch for large splashes forming in circles, that’s a clear sign fish are gathering. It’s even easier to notice if you see Harpios circling above and diving into the water for their own catch.
Just to clarify, a “whopper” isn’t one specific type of fish. In Monster Hunter Wilds, it’s a term for the bigger fish that trigger a special minigame when you try to reel them in, like the Gajau, Speartuna, and Great Trevally. So, keep your eyes on the water and be ready for a fight once you hook one!
How to Catch the Whopper
To start fishing, first equip your Fishing Rod by holding the left bumper on your controller and selecting it from the item wheel. Then, scroll through your lures until you find the Starduster Rig, the one Kanya gave you. When you spot a Whopper in the water and it bites, you’ll feel a strong pull on your line. To keep it from snapping, move your line in the same direction the Whopper is pulling. Keep following its movements, it’ll eventually tire itself out, and you’ll know it’s wearing down when it pauses for a moment.
Stay sharp, though Whoppers can leap out of the water to try and break free. If that happens, quickly move your line in the direction it’s jumping and use the reel-in command to hold it steady. This will also wear the fish down faster. Once the Whopper stops struggling, start reeling it in using your directional controls, just like you would for a fast or slow reel. But don’t let your guard down, if the fish regains its strength, you’ll have to repeat the process, tiring it out again before pulling it closer.
If you’re finding it tough to catch a Whopper and have unlocked decoration melding, there’s a helpful trick: craft a level one Ranger Jewel and slot it to activate the Outdoorsman skill, it makes fishing a bit easier. Once you’ve finally landed your Whopper, take it back to Kanya. She’ll reward you with:
- 5x Gunpowderfish Scales
- 5x Honey
- 200 Guild Points
How to Start the Razzle Dazzle quest
The Razzle Dazzle side quest kicks off when you talk to Kanya at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp. It’s her fifth and final quest in the fishing questline, following The Catch of a Lifetime!.
To unlock Razzle Dazzle, you’ll need to reach Chapter 4 and complete the Catch of a Lifetime side mission. Once it’s available, you can find the Razzle Dazzle quest in the lower left section of the Scarlet Forest, specifically in Area 1 near the Base Camp. It’s the last challenge in Kanya’s fishing journey, so get ready for one final test of your angling skills!
Location of Grand Escunite
You can find the Grand Escunite in the underground lake in Area 8 of the Scarlet Forest. There are two possible fishing spots where it might appear.
The first spot is to the left of the pop-up camp, on a small outcrop overlooking the water. The second is deeper inside the cave, just drop down to the lower platform, step into the water, and dive when the option pops up. Once you resurface on the other side, you’ll spot another pool right ahead.
Since the Grand Escunite isn’t actually a fish, it has tentacles, it’s pretty easy to recognize. Keep an eye out for the creature with a large shell, slowly gliding through the water.
How to Catch the Grand Escunite
To catch the Grand Escunite, start by holding the left bumper to open the Essential Items hotwheel and select your Fishing Rod. Don’t forget to switch to the Tentacle Jig lure — the one Kanya gave you.
Important: Don’t use the Capture Net! It won’t count for the quest, and if you catch the Grand Escunite with it, you’ll have to track down another one all over again.
Once you spot the Grand Escunite — it’s hard to miss with its bright blue color — cast your line. If it doesn’t bite right away, try luring it by bobbing the bait up and down. This usually grabs its attention. The Tentacle Jig is the best bait for the job, and you should have received it from Kanya during one of her earlier fishing quests. Reeling in the Grand Escunite completes the Razzle Dazzle side mission. As a reward, Kanya will give you:
- 5x Jeweled Mullet Roes
- 5x Sushifish Scales
- 3x Gunpowderfish Scales
- 2x Whetfish Fins
- 300 Guild Points
- A boost to your Hunter Rank XP
