How do you unlock the Legendary Fish and Animal Map?

To unlock the Legendary Fish and Animal Map in Red Dead Redemption 2, you must progress through specific story missions and interact with key characters. The map is essential for tracking down legendary animals and fish, which are unique, high-value targets that provide rare materials for crafting and upgrades. Here’s a detailed guide on how to unlock and use the map effectively.\n\nFirst, you need to complete Chapter 1 of the main story, as legendary animals and fish are only available after the prologue. Once you reach Chapter 2, you’ll gain access to the open world and can begin hunting legendary creatures. To unlock the Legendary Animal Map, you must complete the mission ''Exit Pursued by a Bruised Ego,'' which introduces you to hunting. During this mission, Hosea Matthews will take you to hunt a legendary bear. After completing the mission, the map will automatically update to show the locations of legendary animals.\n\nFor the Legendary Fish Map, you need to meet Jeremy Gill, a fisherman who specializes in catching rare fish. You can find him at his cabin on the northeastern shore of Flat Iron Lake, near the town of Rhodes. To unlock his missions, you must first catch at least one regular fish and then visit him. He will give you a map marking the locations of legendary fish across the game world. This map is crucial for completing the ''A Fisher of Fish'' side mission series.\n\nOnce you have both maps, you can start hunting legendary animals and fish. Legendary animals are marked on the map with a paw print icon, while legendary fish are marked with a fish icon. Each legendary creature has a specific habitat, so you’ll need to explore different regions to find them. For example, the Legendary Bharati Grizzly Bear is found in the Grizzlies East region, while the Legendary Steelhead Trout can be caught in the Dakota River.\n\nWhen hunting legendary animals, it’s important to use the right tools and strategies. Equip a rifle or bow with improved arrows for large animals, and use a varmint rifle or small game arrows for smaller creatures. Use Eagle Eye to track the animal’s scent trail, which appears as golden particles. Be patient and stealthy, as legendary animals are more alert and can flee if they detect you. Once you’ve killed the animal, skin it to collect its pelt and other materials, which can be used for crafting unique outfits and gear at the Trapper.\n\nFor legendary fish, you’ll need a special lure to catch them. Jeremy Gill will give you the Special Lake Lure, Special River Lure, and Special Swamp Lure after you complete his initial mission. These lures are essential for attracting legendary fish, which are much stronger and harder to catch than regular fish. When fishing, cast your line near the marked location and use the correct lure for the type of water (lake, river, or swamp). Reel in the fish carefully, as they will put up a strong fight.\n\nOne common challenge players face is locating the exact spawn points of legendary creatures. If you’re having trouble finding a legendary animal or fish, make sure you’re in the correct region and check the map for the icon. Some legendary animals only appear during specific weather conditions or times of day, so adjust your approach accordingly. For example, the Legendary Moose is more likely to appear in foggy weather.\n\nIn summary, unlocking the Legendary Fish and Animal Map requires progressing through the story and interacting with key characters like Hosea Matthews and Jeremy Gill. Use the maps to locate legendary creatures, and employ the right tools and strategies to hunt or catch them. With patience and persistence, you’ll be able to collect all the rare materials needed for crafting and upgrades.\n\nPractical tips: Always save your game before attempting to hunt a legendary animal or fish, as they can be challenging to find and defeat. Use Eagle Eye frequently to track scent trails and locate fish. If a legendary creature isn’t spawning, try leaving the area and returning later, or camp nearby to change the time of day or weather conditions.