Monster Hunter Wilds is finally here, and the world is ready to hunt once again. With the game’s release, more and more players are discovering its new systems, such as Focus Mode, portable cooking, and the ability to change and swap weapons with your Seikret. There’s so much to uncover in Capcom’s latest entry in the best-selling Monster Hunter series, and this release week is just the beginning.
Fishing makes its return in Monster Hunter Wilds. Veteran players might remember this minigame from earlier titles — even recent entries like World and Rise included it. However, in a game teeming with flora and fauna and featuring a seamless open world, endemic life hunting in Monster Hunter Wilds can feel overwhelming.
If you’re struggling to find this particular fish, here’s a simple guide on how to get the Gravid Bowfin:
1. The Quest Giver Can Be Found in the Scarlet Forest
As you journey through the Forbidden Lands and enter the Scarlet Forest, you’ll encounter an NPC obsessed with fishing — a familiar sight in Monster Hunter games. She teaches you the basics of fishing and even provides bait, such as Emerald Bait, to get you started.
After completing enough side missions for her, she’ll continue asking for rarer catches, eventually making you question why you’re doing this in the first place.
This NPC is your go-to fishing expert, and she tasks you with finding the Gravid Bowfin, an elusive species that can’t be found through normal means.
2. Head to the Oasis Area During the Season of Plenty
The best way to catch a Gravid Bowfin is to head to the Oasis area in the Windward Plains during the Season of Plenty. You’ll know the season is in full swing when there’s an abundance of endemic life roaming the land and no thunderstorms or storm clouds in sight.
Look for the Gravid Bowfin in the pond. Use your binoculars to spot a long, eel-like fish with an orange hue. Be careful not to mistake it for the Virid Bowfin, which is primarily green — orange is the key color to look for.
3. Equip the Emerald Bait
The Emerald Bait is required to catch a Gravid Bowfin. The Fisherwoman NPC provides it before you begin this quest, so don’t worry — it’s unlimited. Keeping it equipped is essential; otherwise, catching this fish could take a very long time.
Once you’ve equipped the bait, cast it near the pond where you see the orange silhouette of the fish, and wait for it to take the bait. This task requires patience, so be prepared. If the fish doesn’t bite immediately, try luring it by flicking the analog stick (on PS5) to trick it. Once you feel the haptic feedback on your DualSense controller, that’s your cue to reel it in using R2. After securing the fish, fast-travel back to the Fisherwoman NPC at the Scarlet Forest Base Camp to complete the quest.
And that’s how to get the Gravid Bowfin. For more Monster Hunter Wilds guides, be sure to check out our Beginner's Tips.
