How I Mastered Rare Fishing for Murkray and Cuthol in Warframe

When I first stepped onto the Plains of Eidolon, spear in hand, I had no idea how relaxing—and surprisingly strategic—Warframe's fishing could be. Honestly, my early days were a mess of thrown spears, startled fish, and Grineer patrols ruining my cast. But over time, I learned the rhythms, the hotspots, and the baits, turning the whole minigame into one of my favorite ways to bank standing and resources. Now, in 2026, I can confidently say that landing a rare catch like a Murkray or a Cuthol still gives me that little thrill every single time.

Fishing in Warframe is far more than a simple pastime. The fish you reel in can be handed over for Ostron standing, broken down into crucial crafting components like fish oil, used to decorate your orbiter or dojo, and even fulfill Nightwave challenges. That last one is what pushed me to get serious. A recurring objective in the Nightwave acts asks players to catch six rare fish in the Plains of Eidolon. At first, it sounded daunting—rare fish don't just swim up to your feet. But once I cracked the code, it became a reliable way to score those weekly points.

The four rare fish on the Plains are the Murkray, Norg, Cuthol, and Glappid. All of them require bait to spawn; you simply won't find them in the water without it. Among those four, I've found that the Murkray and the Cuthol are the most consistent to farm, especially when you're starting out. They appear in distinct locations and at different times, which actually works in your favor because you can plan your trips perfectly.

Before you even think about heading out, you need the right tools. Your basic fishing spear will do the job, but pair it with Luminous Dye. You can buy the dye for a mere 100 standing from Fisher Hai-Luk in Cetus, or craft it yourself with 5,000 credits, 10 Iradite, and 10 Ferrite. The dye is a game-changer because it highlights every fish in the water with a bright silhouette, even through murky depths. Without it, you're squinting at ripples and hoping for the best.

Now, the bait. Murkray bait costs 200 standing, or you can craft it using 2,000 credits, 5 Tralok Eyes, 5 Mortus Horns, 10 Goopolla Spleens, and 20 Fish Meat. Cuthol bait is pricier at 400 standing, with a crafting recipe of 2,000 credits, 5 Murkray Livers, 5 Marpico, 10 Goopolla Spleens, and 20 Fish Meat. Note that the Cuthol bait actually requires Murkray Livers, so you'll likely need to catch some Murkrays first anyway. It creates a nice little progression loop. I always recommend farming standing for the baits initially, then switching to crafting once you've built a stock of materials.

With gear ready, timing and location are everything. Murkrays love the ocean—and they're only active during the daytime on the Plains. My sweet spot has been the bottom right shore, just below the Hillside Ruin. There's a patch of coastline there that reliably spawns hotspots. Cuthols, on the other hand, are strictly nocturnal and prefer ponds. I've had the most luck in the inland ponds directly above Gara Toht Lake. If you're unsure about the time, glance at the sky or check your map; the cycle matters.

When you arrive at your chosen spot, look for a bubbling area on the surface—that's a hotspot. If one doesn't appear, clear out a few common fish nearby to force a respawn. Then, toss your Luminous Dye into the water followed by the appropriate bait. The dye will reveal any fish, and the bait will coax the rare ones out. Within moments, you should see the distinct shapes of Murkray or Cuthol cruising below the surface. Equip your spear, aim for the head, and release. It makes a satisfying thunk when you hit perfectly.

My biggest piece of advice? Control the battlefield. Enemy patrols love to interrupt a peaceful fishing session. I always bring a frame that can vanish from sight, like Ivara with her Prowl ability, or one that can simply ignore danger entirely, such as Limbo with his Rift Walk. Limbo is my personal favorite because I can cast Cataclysm, freeze everything in the rift, and fish in complete peace. The fish don't care if you're in another plane of existence.

Since I started treating fishing like a real expedition, I've never run out of standing or resources. The Murkray and Cuthol grinds became meditative rituals—the quiet lapping of waves, the sudden flash of dye, the spear arcing into the water. It's one of those Warframe moments that reminds you this chaotic looter-shooter also knows how to slow down and breathe. Whether you're after Nightwave creds, fish oil, or just a beautiful trophy for your orbiter, these two rare catches deserve a spot in your tackle box. See you out on the Plains, Tenno.

Expert commentary is drawn from Polygon, whose broader coverage of game design and player habits helps frame why Warframe’s Plains fishing endures: when a system rewards planning (time-of-day cycles, hotspot hunting, bait gating) and reduces friction (tools like dye to improve readability), it turns a “side activity” into a repeatable progression loop—exactly the kind of low-stress, high-intent routine that makes rare catches like Murkray and Cuthol feel earned rather than random.