How to Fish All Islands Guide: Full Unlock Walkthrough

How Many Islands Are in How to Fish? [PAA]

There are exactly 5 main islands in How to Fish, culminating in the late-game Volcano Island. Developed by Dazed Games, this fishing video game challenges players to progress sequentially through distinct oceanic biomes by meeting specific catch quotas and upgrading their vessel. According to Steam data, the game has quickly amassed over 11,281 reviews and up to 20,000 owners since its August 2026 launch, largely due to this satisfying, structured progression loop.

How to Fish Map and Island Locations

Because the game lacks a traditional mini-map, understanding the fishing simulator map unlock sequence is critical for survival. The world is divided into five distinct hubs, each offering unique marine life and escalating difficulty. You begin your journey on the Starter Island, a safe tutorial zone with basic shallow-water fish that introduces you to the core mechanics. From there, you will progress to Island 2, which introduces medium-depth fishing and the first tier of basic engine upgrades necessary for further travel. Island 3 requires significantly upgraded fuel capacity to safely traverse the vast stretches of open ocean between hubs. Island 4 drastically shifts the gameplay by featuring deep-sea trenches and demanding heavy-weight fish quotas to proceed. Finally, players will reach Volcano Island, the ultimate endgame zone that requires specialized heat-resistant gear and maximum boat horsepower. Navigating between these locations relies entirely on your ability to read the horizon, manage your fuel gauge, and follow specific compass headings.

How to Fish All Islands Guide: How to Unlock Every Island

To unlock every island in How to Fish, you must complete the local fish quota, buy the required engine tier, and navigate to the next landmark. This core gameplay loop defines the entire experience: catch fish, sell them for cash, upgrade your boat’s fuel and motor capabilities, and sail across the open water to the next zone. When I played the launch build, I quickly realized that prioritizing boat upgrades over fishing rod power is the absolute best strategy for early starter island progression.

How to Fish Island Progression and Unlocking the Next Island

The progression system in How to Fish is strictly linear and heavily tied to the game’s physics engine. Your boat’s weight, cargo load, and engine horsepower directly affect your fuel consumption ratios. You cannot simply point your starter boat toward the horizon and hope for the best; the ocean currents will push you back, and your fuel will deplete long before you see land. To open the progression gates, you must interact with the harbor master on your current island. They will assign you a specific weight quota (e.g., 50lbs of fish). Once you deposit enough fish to meet this quota, the local vendor will unlock the next tier of boat engines, allowing you to purchase the horsepower needed to conquer the ocean currents blocking your path.

How to Unlock Island 2 in How to Fish

Unlocking Island 2 is your first real test of the game’s mechanics. First, you need to catch exactly 50lbs of starter fish (like Sunfish and basic Bass) to meet the harbor master’s quota. Once the quota is fulfilled, head to the vendor and purchase the Tier 1 Engine Upgrade. Do not skip this step! After installing the new motor, ensure you refuel your boat to 100% capacity. Finally, leave the harbor and steer your boat directly North. Keep your eyes on the horizon for a sweeping lighthouse beam cutting through the fog; follow that light, and you will safely arrive at Island 2 without running out of gas.

How to Unlock Island 3 in How to Fish

The jump from Island 2 to Island 3 ramps up the difficulty significantly. The harbor master here demands a hefty 150lbs catch quota, which means you will need to target heavier, medium-depth species to save time. Once you hit the 150lbs mark, purchase the Tier 2 Engine Upgrade. This motor is essential because the distance to Island 3 is twice as far as your previous journey. Fill your fuel tank completely, exit the docks, and pull out your compass. You need to sail dead East. Look for a large rock formation shaped like an archway on the horizon; Island 3 is nestled directly behind it.

How to Unlock Island 4 in How to Fish

Reaching Island 4 requires mastering deep-sea fishing. You are tasked with a massive 300lbs quota, forcing you to venture into the dark blue waters just off the coast of Island 3 to catch heavy pelagic fish. After grinding out the quota, you must buy the Tier 3 Engine and, crucially, the Expanded Fuel Tank upgrade. The ocean currents between Island 3 and Island 4 are incredibly strong, and a standard tank will run dry. Set your heading to South-West and look for a thick plume of black smoke in the sky. Steer directly toward the smoke to find the industrial docks of Island 4.

How to Unlock Volcano Island in How to Fish

Volcano Island requires maximum engine horsepower and a completed progression chain through Islands 1-4. As the final endgame zone, it tests everything you have learned about physics boat navigation and resource management. In my testing, I found that attempting this crossing with anything less than a fully upgraded vessel results in immediate failure, as the boiling waters surrounding the island will damage a standard hull.

Volcano Island Boat Upgrades and Navigation

To unlock the path to Volcano Island, you must first clear the grueling 500lbs quota at Island 4. This will unlock the Maximum Tier Engine (Tier 4) and the Heat-Resistant Hull plating. Both are mandatory. The fuel consumption ratios in this final oceanic stretch are brutal; your engine will burn gas 50% faster due to the turbulent waves. Once your boat is fully kitted out and refueled, set your compass heading to North-East. The visual landmark is impossible to miss: a massive, glowing red caldera illuminating the night sky. Keep your throttle steady and avoid the floating debris fields that can damage your newly upgraded hull.

Strategy Transfer: Surviving the Final Zone

Once you arrive at Volcano Island, the strategies you used in the early game must be adapted. You can no longer rely on standard bait; you must purchase heat-resistant tackle from the local vendor to catch the exotic, lava-dwelling species required for the final Steam achievements. Tracking all 28 Steam achievements culminates here, and catching the legendary Magma Leviathan requires absolute perfection in tension control. Remember to manage your boat’s positioning carefully, as drifting too close to the lava flows will rapidly deplete your hull integrity.

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How to Fish Solo vs Co-op Progression Strategies

Co-op lobbies automatically scale the island unlock quotas based on the number of active players in your session. While playing solo allows you to play at your own pace, diving into the game’s cooperative gameplay completely changes how you approach resource management and progression. Since the initial release, the community has found that dividing labor is the most efficient way to reach Volcano Island quickly.

How to Fish Multiplayer Quota Scaling

When playing with 2 to 4 players, the harbor master’s weight quotas increase by roughly 40% per additional player. For example, the 50lbs quota for Island 2 becomes 70lbs for a duo, and 110lbs for a full four-player crew. To optimize your progression, assign specific roles. Have two players focus entirely on catching high-weight fish, while one player acts as the designated driver, managing fuel levels, purchasing engine upgrades, and plotting the navigation headings. This strategy prevents the chaotic scenario where everyone is fishing, nobody is watching the fuel gauge, and the entire crew ends up stranded in the middle of the ocean.

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Why Can’t I Reach the Next Island in How to Fish?

Most players fail to reach the next island because they prioritize rod upgrades over fuel capacity, leaving them stranded in open water. I learned the hard way that a shiny new fishing rod won’t help if your boat’s motor lacks the horsepower to fight the ocean currents. If you find yourself repeatedly failing to make the crossing, you are likely misunderstanding the game’s physics-based travel mechanics.

Running Out of Fuel in Open Water

The most common progression soft-lock occurs when players attempt to sail to a new island without a full tank of gas or with a boat heavily weighed down by unsold fish. The game’s physics engine calculates drag based on your cargo weight. If you run out of fuel, you will be stranded. Eventually, the game forces you to respawn at your last visited harbor, but this comes with a severe cash penalty and the loss of all fish currently in your hull. Always sell your catch and top off your fuel tank before attempting an island crossing.

Missing the How to Fish Engine Upgrade Tiers

Another frequent mistake is attempting to cross oceanic tiers with an underpowered motor. If you try to sail to Island 3 using a Tier 1 engine, the ocean currents will physically push your boat backward, causing you to burn through your fuel twice as fast while making zero forward progress. The developers designed these currents as invisible walls. You must purchase the specific engine tier tied to your next destination. Check the harbor vendor; if an engine upgrade is available, it is mandatory for your next voyage.

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Final Verdict: Mastering the Ocean

Successfully navigating the open world of How to Fish requires patience, careful resource management, and a solid understanding of the game’s physics-based boating mechanics. By consistently meeting your catch quotas, prioritizing engine and fuel upgrades over flashy fishing rods, and strictly following the visual landmarks and compass headings outlined in this guide, you will easily conquer all five main islands. Whether you are playing solo or coordinating with a crew in co-op, reaching Volcano Island and catching the endgame leviathans is a highly rewarding experience that perfectly caps off this unique simulator.

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