Give a hunter a fish, and they’ll feed their Palico. Teach a hunter to fish, and they’ll catch a school of succulent swimmers. That’s more to bake and fry, and cooking is a highlight of Monster Hunter Wilds. Before your fish can hit the pot, however, you’ll need to catch them. Mastering the art of the line and hook takes practice, but it’s easy to get started. Capcom made fishing easy to get into for newcomers, but there’s enough depth to keep you hooked. Here’s how to fish in Monster Hunter Wilds without getting reeled into the deep end.
Monster Hunter Wild Fishing Guide

Of everything Monster Hunter Wilds does right, fishing may end up being the fan favorite. The setting was already cozy without this mechanic, but fishing takes it to a new level. It’s fun to unwind with after a stressful hunt, but fishing can net you valuable materials, too. Here’s how to fish in Monster Hunter Wilds:
- Complete the “Forest Finding” quest by hunting Congalala
- Complete the mission “Fishing: Life in Microcosm”
- Scroll through your item bar to find the Fishing Rod and equip it
- Aim at a body of water and press the action button to cast your lure
- When a fish bites, press the action button again to reel it in
- Remember that tougher fish mean a bigger struggle!
As the first side mission, “Fishing: Life in Microcosm” also acts as a tutorial to side missions in general. Now that you know the basics of fishing, it’s time to hit the water. Ecosystems are bubbling with life in Monster Hunter Wilds, so you’ll have no shortage of ponds and lakes to cast a line in. Changing your bait affects what kind of fish you’ll catch, so experiment to figure out what works best. Different fish offer different crafting materials, too, rewarding a diverse approach to bait. At least your Palico will have something to lick its chops over while you grind for gear.