How to Fish: List of all fish, how to get them, and more

How to Fish is making waves in the indie gaming scene, and the game has managed to garner a lot of attention since its release a few days ago. It offers a surprisingly deep fishing experience spread across five distinct islands, each with its own unique ecosystem of catchable species.

Essentially, How to Fish features a variety of things, including standard fish, exotic aquatic creatures, crustaceans, and towering boss encounters that will test everything you have learned on your journey across the islands. In the section below, we provide you with a complete breakdown of every fish and creature in How to Fish, where to find them, and exactly what bait and rod you need to catch each one.

How to catch fish in How to Fish

The key to catching fish in How to Fish is matching the right rod and bait to the right location and species. As you progress through the game and unlock new islands, your rod options and lure types will expand significantly, opening up rarer and more exotic catches.

Bosses are the most challenging catches in the game and are found on specific islands. They require dedicated boss lures tied to your current progression tier rather than standard bait, so make sure you are stocked up before going after them.

All fish in the Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is your starting location and the most beginner-friendly area in the game. You are limited to the Crab Fishing Rod here, and the species pool is small but important for learning the basics. The Lighthouse also hosts the game's first boss encounter, which requires a very specific and unconventional bait to lure out:

• Rock Crab – Free Lure
• Shrimp – Free Lure
• Rock Crab – Hot Dog
• Lobster – Hot Dog
• Spider Crab – Empty Beer Can

All fish on Island 2

Coming to island 2, the options expand even further, and you have the following available:

• Piranha – Hot Dog
• Mackerel – Free Lure
• Gar – Free Lure
• Pike – Free Lure
• Cod – Beginner Lure
• Goldfish – Free Lure / Beginner Lure
• Perch – Beginner Lure
• Triggerfish – Beginner Lure
• Giant Piranha – Modified Leech
• The Old Pike – Beginner Boss Lure

All fish on Island 3

After you are done with Island 2, you will be able to access the third island. It introduces the Standard Lure and brings a host of more exotic tropical species into the mix:

• Angelfish – Standard Lure
• Boxfish – Standard Lure
• Catfish – Standard Lure
• Sea Urchin – Standard Lure
• Seahorse – Standard Lure
• Clownfish – Standard Lure
• Bluegill – Standard Lure
• Salmon – Standard Lure
• Needlefish – Standard Lure
• Blue Shark – Standard Boss Lure
• Pufferfish – Carrot

All fish on Island 4

Speaking of Island 4, you will unlock it upon completing the quests for Island 3. It requires the Professional Lure for all standard catches and features some of the most visually striking species in the game:

• Parrotfish – Professional Lure
• Voxelfish – Professional Lure
• Bass – Professional Lure
• Halibut – Professional Lure
• Eel – Professional Lure
• Tigerfish – Professional Lure
• Flying Fish – Professional Lure
• Sengarat – Professional Lure
• Red Snapper – Professional Lure
• Tuna – Professional Boss Lure
• Albatross – Tuna

All fish on Island 5

Finally, after you complete the quests on Island 4, you will receive the coordinates for the fifth island. It is the most dangerous and rewarding location in the game, requiring the Scientific Lure for standard catches:

• Anglerfish – Scientific Lure
• Blobfish – Scientific Lure
• Oarfish – Scientific Lure
• Superdwarf Fish – Scientific Lure
• Stonefish – Scientific Lure
• Goblin Shark – Scientific Boss Lure
• Bowhead Whale – Fish Bucket
• Mutated Bowhead Whale – Bowhead Whale

You are advised to keep an eye on official channels for updates as new catches are confirmed across all five islands.
Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.