TL;DR
- Goldenfish are caught in Scarlet Forest Area 12 using Kanya’s special golden bughead lure
- Navigate to the northeast waterfall area and fish from rocks without entering water
- Both goldenfish and platinumfish bite immediately when lure is cast near them
- Sell scales for significant zenny: 1,000 for goldenfish, 2,000 for platinumfish
- Complete Kanya’s ‘Seeking the Goldenfish’ quest early for valuable rewards
Goldenfish represent one of the most valuable aquatic species hunters can encounter in Monster Hunter Wilds, offering both quest completion benefits and substantial economic returns. These shimmering fish play a crucial role in early-game progression through Kanya’s special assignment at the Scarlet Forest base camp.
The “Seeking the Goldenfish” side quest becomes available shortly after establishing your foothold in Scarlet Forest, serving as an excellent introduction to the game’s fishing mechanics while providing meaningful rewards. Understanding fish behavior patterns early will pay dividends throughout your hunting career, as similar mechanics apply to rarer aquatic creatures in later regions.
Goldenfish belong to the arowana family, distinguished by their brilliant golden scales that catch the light beautifully underwater. Their distinctive appearance makes them relatively easy to identify once you know what to look for, though beginners often confuse them with similar-looking common fish species during their initial encounters.
Reaching the prime goldenfish fishing spot requires careful navigation through Scarlet Forest’s dense terrain. Your destination is Area 12, specifically the northeastern sector where aquatic life congregates around a magnificent waterfall. The most efficient approach involves utilizing the Area 12: Northeast pop-up camp as your staging point.
From the camp, orient yourself toward the roaring sounds of falling water. The waterfall serves as an unmistakable auditory and visual landmark, making navigation straightforward even for newcomers to the region. As you approach, you’ll notice an exquisite fossil deposit near the water’s edge—this geological feature provides the perfect reference point for setting your seikret’s waypoint.
Critical fishing insight: resist the temptation to dive into the inviting waters. Instead, position yourself strategically on the rocky outcrops bordering the pool. This elevated vantage point offers superior visibility of the fish swimming below while keeping you safe from potential aquatic predators. From here, you’ll clearly observe both goldenfish and their even more valuable counterparts, platinumfish, moving in predictable patterns through the clear waters.
Successful goldenfish capture hinges on proper equipment utilization and understanding fish behavior mechanics. Kanya provides hunters with a specialized golden bughead lure specifically engineered to attract these particular fish species. This unique bait emits vibrations and visual cues that goldenfish find irresistible, dramatically increasing catch rates compared to standard fishing gear.
The fishing process itself is remarkably straightforward thanks to the lure’s effectiveness. Cast your line approximately two to three meters ahead of approaching fish—the golden bughead’s attraction radius ensures nearby fish will immediately change course to investigate. Unlike some fishing scenarios in Monster Hunter Wilds requiring precise timing and patience, goldenfish typically bite within seconds of the lure touching water.
Advanced technique: monitor fish movement patterns before casting. Goldenfish and platinumfish often swim in loose schools, allowing experienced hunters to position their lure where multiple fish will encounter it simultaneously. This strategic placement can potentially yield multiple catches with minimal repositioning, significantly improving your farming efficiency.
Common mistake avoidance: many new hunters waste time trying to land the lure directly on the fish. Instead, aim for the space immediately in front of their path—the lure’s powerful attraction will do the work for you. This approach conserves stamina and maximizes your catch rate per fishing session.
The financial rewards from goldenfish fishing make this activity well worth incorporating into your regular hunting routine. Goldenfish scales command an impressive 1,000 zenny each at vendors, while the rarer platinumfish scales fetch a substantial 2,000 zenny per scale. This creates an excellent early-game income stream that can fund weapon upgrades, armor enhancements, and essential consumables.
Strategic consideration: since both fish species inhabit the same location and respond identically to the golden bughead lure, you effectively double your earning potential with each fishing expedition. A single productive session lasting 10-15 minutes can generate between 15,000-30,000 zenny depending on your catch distribution between the two species.
For hunters looking to optimize their gameplay efficiency, consider combining goldenfish farming with other Scarlet Forest activities. The area surrounding the waterfall often contains additional gather resources, including the aforementioned exquisite fossils and various herbal ingredients. Multi-tasking in this manner transforms a simple fishing trip into a comprehensive resource-gathering expedition.
Action Checklist
- Accept ‘Seeking the Goldenfish’ quest from Kanya at Scarlet Forest base camp
- Travel to Area 12: Northeast pop-up camp and navigate to the waterfall
- Equip golden bughead lure and position on rocks overlooking the water
- Cast lure ahead of fish paths and reel in immediately upon bite
- Return to camp and sell scales for 1,000-2,000 zenny each
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » Where to find a goldenfish location in Monster Hunter Wilds Complete guide to finding and catching Goldenfish in Monster Hunter Wilds with expert fishing strategies
