Island Locations & Unlock Order
How to Fish is linear: each island unlocks from the previous island's boss hand-in. Visit them in this exact order — every island page lists its catches, quest steps, and the ⚠️ mistakes to avoid before you spend a coin.
Lighthouse (Island 1)
Step 1 of 5The starting island. Learn the basics from the Lighthouse Keeper, catch crabs and lobster with Ham and Hot Dogs, and beat the Spider Crab for the boat keys.
Forest (Island 2)
Step 2 of 5The second island, northwest of the Lighthouse. Ten regular catches on French Fries and the Beginner Lure, two optional mini-bosses, and the Giant Piranha story boss behind the three-leech quest.
Desert (Island 3)
Step 3 of 5The third island. Nine regular catches on the Standard Lure, the Blue Shark that unlocks the Grillmaster's grill, and the Pufferfish story boss behind the Tourist's Carrot.
Rocks (Island 4)
Step 4 of 5The fourth island. Ten regular catches on the Professional Lure, the Tuna mini-boss, and the Albatross — the game's only aerial boss — drawn down by the Tuna's body.
Volcano (Island 5)
Step 5 of 5The final island. Five regular catches on the Scientific Lure, the optional Goblin Shark, and the Bowhead Whale chain that ends with the Mutated Bowhead Whale and the trip home.
Between islands: the open water
Not every encounter waits on an island. Seagulls circle open areas and are tied to two achievements — getting picked up (Let me go) and the dynamite kill (Everyone's dream). Trick shots and the boat-flying challenge also happen out on the water.