How to Fish Fish Locations: All Fish by Island

Q: Where can I find fish in How to Fish?

The Lighthouse has crabs and shrimp, then Islands 2–5 each introduce a new species pool and a new lure tier: Beginner, Standard, Professional and Scientific. Most species are not region locked — the right lure matters more than the island.

Q: How many fish are in How to Fish?

Launch-week guides list 36 regular species plus 10 bosses across the Lighthouse and Islands 2–5. Rare drip (shiny) variants exist for every species.

Q: Are fish region locked?

Only the Lighthouse is limited, according to launch-week guides. Elsewhere you can catch the same species on other islands as long as you have the correct lure.

Q: Where is the Pufferfish in How to Fish?

The Pufferfish is an Island 3 (Desert) boss, caught with a Carrot. Find every boss location on our boss guide.

Every known How to Fish species and boss, grouped by the island where it first appears — with the rod and bait each catch needs.

Last updated: Aug 25, 2026 · 36 species + 10 bosses · compiled from launch-week guides byDestructoid andG2A News. Community-reported — verify in-game.

How to Fish is built around progression: each island you unlock introduces a stronger lure tier and a new pool of species. Bring the right lure for the tier you're on — old lures lose usefulness on later islands.

Lighthouse — Starting area

The first area where you spawn. Limited catch pool (crabs, shrimp, lobster) that teaches the core loop, plus the first boss quest.

Species	Type	Rod	Bait
Rock Crab	Fish	Crab Fishing Rod	Free Lure, Hot Dog
Shrimp	Fish	Crab Fishing Rod	Free Lure
Lobster	Fish	Crab Fishing Rod	Hot Dog
Spider Crab	Boss	Crab Fishing Rod	Empty Beer Can

Island 2 — Forest

The second island, reached after the lighthouse quest. Standard Fishing Rod unlocks here and the species pool grows to eight regular fish.

Species	Type	Rod	Bait
Piranha	Fish	Fishing Rod	Hot Dog
Mackerel	Fish	Fishing Rod	Free Lure
Gar	Fish	Fishing Rod	Free Lure
Pike	Fish	Fishing Rod	Beginner Lure
Cod	Fish	Fishing Rod	Beginner Lure
Goldfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Beginner Lure
Perch	Fish	Fishing Rod	Beginner Lure
Triggerfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Beginner Lure
Giant Piranha	Boss	Fishing Rod	Modified Leech
The Old Pike	Boss	Fishing Rod	Beginner Boss Lure

Island 3 — Desert

Unlocked after the Island 2 quest chain (coordinates). Standard Lure tier takes over with ten colorful species and two bosses.

Species	Type	Rod	Bait
Angelfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Boxfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Bowlfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Catfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Sea Urchin	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Seahorse	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Clownfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Bluegill	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Salmon	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Needlefish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Standard Lure
Blue Shark	Boss	Fishing Rod	Standard Boss Lure
Pufferfish	Boss	Fishing Rod	Carrot

Island 4 — Rocks

Unlocked after Island 3. Professional Lure required for standard catches; boss bait gets creative (a whole Tuna for the Albatross).

Species	Type	Rod	Bait
Parrotfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Voxelfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Bass	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Halibut	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Eel	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Tigerfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Flying Fish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Sengarat	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Red Snapper	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Dripper	Fish	Fishing Rod	Professional Lure
Tuna	Boss	Fishing Rod	Professional Boss Lure
Albatross	Boss	Fishing Rod	Tuna

Island 5 — Volcano

The current end of the progression path. Scientific Lure tier with the toughest bosses, including a whale that is itself bait.

Species	Type	Rod	Bait
Anglerfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Scientific Lure
Blobfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Scientific Lure
Oarfish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Scientific Lure
Superdwarf Fish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Scientific Lure
Stonefish	Fish	Fishing Rod	Scientific Lure
Goblin Shark	Boss	Fishing Rod	Scientific Boss Lure
Bowhead Whale	Boss	Fishing Rod	Fish Bucket
Mutated Bowhead Whale	Boss	Fishing Rod	Bowhead Whale

Not region locked (mostly)Guides note that fish are not region locked except at the Lighthouse — the same species can be caught elsewhere if you have the right lure. Islands mostly matter forbuying the next lure tier and finding bosses.

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FAQ

Where can I find fish in How to Fish?

The Lighthouse has crabs and shrimp; Islands 2–5 each add a new species pool and lure tier (Beginner, Standard, Professional, Scientific).

How many fish are in How to Fish?

Launch-week guides list 36 regular species plus 10 bosses. Rare drip variants exist for every species.

Are fish region locked?

Only the Lighthouse is limited — elsewhere the right lure matters more than the island.

Where is the Pufferfish in How to Fish?

Island 3 (Desert), caught with a Carrot. See the boss guide for all boss locations.