🏝️ All 5 Islands Comparison Guide - How to Fish
Complete island comparison: fish count, bosses, lure tiers, difficulty, economy, time investment, and why Island 3 (Desert) is the most important unlock in the game.
Published August 29, 2026 · Last updated September 21, 2026
Quick Answer: How Do the 5 Islands Compare?
The five islands in How to Fish unlock in a fixed chain: Lighthouse → Forest → Desert → Rocks → Volcano. Each island gates progression behind a boss fight and loot hand-in, with escalating difficulty, bait costs, and rewards. Island 1 is a tutorial; Island 3 unlocks the economy-defining grill; Island 5 is the endgame finale with the toughest bosses and most expensive gear.
| Island | Name | Fish Count | Bosses | Lure Tier | Difficulty | Key Unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighthouse | 4 | Spider Crab | Free Lure | Tutorial | Ship Key + Radar |
| 2 | Forest | 9 | Giant Piranha + 2 optional | Free/Beginner | Easy | Island 3 coordinates |
| 3 | Desert | 9 | Pufferfish + Blue Shark | Standard | Medium | Grill unlock (1.5x value) |
| 4 | Rocks | 10 | Tuna + Albatross | Professional | Hard | Final coordinates |
| 5 | Volcano | 6 | Goblin Shark + 2 Whales | Scientific | Very Hard | Game ending |
Island
1
Name
Lighthouse
Fish Count
4
Bosses
Lure Tier
Free Lure
Difficulty
Tutorial
Key Unlock
Ship Key + Radar
Island
2
Name
Forest
Fish Count
9
Bosses
Giant Piranha + 2 optional
Lure Tier
Free/Beginner
Difficulty
Easy
Key Unlock
Island 3 coordinates
Island
3
Name
Desert
Fish Count
9
Bosses
Pufferfish + Blue Shark
Lure Tier
Standard
Difficulty
Medium
Key Unlock
Grill unlock (1.5x value)
Island
4
Name
Rocks
Fish Count
10
Lure Tier
Professional
Difficulty
Hard
Key Unlock
Final coordinates
Island
5
Name
Volcano
Fish Count
6
Bosses
Goblin Shark + 2 Whales
Lure Tier
Scientific
Difficulty
Very Hard
Key Unlock
Game ending
💡 The most important island is Island 3 (Desert) — defeating the Blue Shark unlocks the grill, which boosts all fish sell prices by 1.5x. This funds the expensive bait and weapons of Islands 4-5.
Island 1 (Lighthouse): The Tutorial Stage
The Lighthouse is a small shoreline map built around the Lighthouse Keeper. It teaches the core loop: fish, sell, gear up, defeat the boss, hand in loot.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fish species | Brown Crab, Rock Crab, Shrimp, Lobster (4 total) |
| Boss | Spider Crab (Easy — tutorial fight) |
| Bait | Free Lure or Hot Dog (~$1) |
| Rod | Crab Fishing Rod (exclusive to this island) |
| Key purchases | Knife ($45), Beer ($12), Basic Fishing Rod ($3) |
| Time to complete | 30-60 minutes |
| Economy | Low — selling crabs and shrimp to the Keeper |
Aspect
Fish species
Details
Brown Crab, Rock Crab, Shrimp, Lobster (4 total)
Aspect
Boss
Details
Spider Crab (Easy — tutorial fight)
Aspect
Bait
Details
Free Lure or Hot Dog (~$1)
Aspect
Rod
Details
Crab Fishing Rod (exclusive to this island)
Aspect
Key purchases
Details
Knife ($45), Beer ($12), Basic Fishing Rod ($3)
Aspect
Time to complete
Details
30-60 minutes
Aspect
Economy
Details
Low — selling crabs and shrimp to the Keeper
Island 2 (Forest): The First Real Challenge
The Forest (also called the Swamp) mixes a lake, grassland and shops. It introduces the quest-bait system and the first real boss difficulty spike.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fish species | Gar, Mackerel, Piranha, Pike, Goldfish, Cod, Goby, Perch, Triggerfish (9 total) |
| Bosses | Giant Piranha (main), Sunfish + The Old Pike (optional) |
| Bait | Free Lure / Beginner Lure for regulars; Modified Leech (quest) for Giant Piranha |
| Rod | Standard Fishing Rod (Crab Rod only for Piranha exception) |
| Key purchases | Shotgun (~$150), Beginner Lure stock |
| Time to complete | 1-2 hours |
| Economy | Medium — piranhas and larger fish sell for more |
| Special mechanic | 3 ground leeches → Modified Leech (quest bait) |
Aspect
Fish species
Details
Gar, Mackerel, Piranha, Pike, Goldfish, Cod, Goby, Perch, Triggerfish (9 total)
Aspect
Bosses
Details
Giant Piranha (main), Sunfish + The Old Pike (optional)
Aspect
Bait
Details
Free Lure / Beginner Lure for regulars; Modified Leech (quest) for Giant Piranha
Aspect
Rod
Details
Standard Fishing Rod (Crab Rod only for Piranha exception)
Aspect
Key purchases
Details
Shotgun (~$150), Beginner Lure stock
Aspect
Time to complete
Details
1-2 hours
Aspect
Economy
Details
Medium — piranhas and larger fish sell for more
Aspect
Special mechanic
Details
3 ground leeches → Modified Leech (quest bait)
Island 3 (Desert): The Economy Unlock
The Desert is the most important island for long-term progression. Defeating the Blue Shark unlocks the grill, which boosts all fish sell prices by 1.5x — this funds the expensive bait and weapons of Islands 4-5.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fish species | Salmon, Catfish, Clownfish, Boxfish, Needlefish, Bluegill, Seahorse, Bowlfish, Sea Urchin (9 total) |
| Bosses | Pufferfish (main), Blue Shark (side — unlocks grill) |
| Bait | Standard Lure (~$50) for all regulars; Carrot (quest) for Pufferfish; Standard Boss Lure (~$280) for Blue Shark |
| Rod | Standard Fishing Rod |
| Key purchases | Standard Lure stock, Standard Boss Lure, SMG/Uzi for Pufferfish |
| Time to complete | 2-3 hours |
| Economy | High — grilled fish at 1.5x value covers Island 4-5 bait costs |
| Special mechanic | Needlefish → Carrot → Pufferfish quest chain |
Aspect
Fish species
Details
Salmon, Catfish, Clownfish, Boxfish, Needlefish, Bluegill, Seahorse, Bowlfish, Sea Urchin (9 total)
Aspect
Bosses
Details
Pufferfish (main), Blue Shark (side — unlocks grill)
Aspect
Bait
Details
Standard Lure (~$50) for all regulars; Carrot (quest) for Pufferfish; Standard Boss Lure (~$280) for Blue Shark
Aspect
Rod
Details
Standard Fishing Rod
Aspect
Key purchases
Details
Standard Lure stock, Standard Boss Lure, SMG/Uzi for Pufferfish
Aspect
Time to complete
Details
2-3 hours
Aspect
Economy
Details
High — grilled fish at 1.5x value covers Island 4-5 bait costs
Aspect
Special mechanic
Details
Needlefish → Carrot → Pufferfish quest chain
💡 Priority #1 on Island 3: defeat the Blue Shark and unlock the grill before anything else. The 1.5x multiplier funds everything that follows.
Island 4 (Rocks): The Airborne Challenge
The Rocks is the smallest island but features the game's only aerial boss fight. The cramped layout removes kiting options — firepower matters more than movement here.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fish species | Bass, Eel, Red Snapper, Sengarat, Halibut, Tigerfish, Flying Fish, Voxel Fish, Parrotfish, Dripper (10 total) |
| Bosses | Tuna (main), Albatross (aerial — triggered by Tuna corpse) |
| Bait | Professional Lure (~$200) for regulars; Professional Boss Lure (~$350) for Tuna; Tuna corpse for Albatross |
| Rod | Standard Fishing Rod |
| Key purchases | Professional Lure stock, Professional Boss Lure, Sniper/Uzi for Albatross |
| Time to complete | 2-3 hours |
| Economy | High — but bait costs are steep |
| Special mechanic | Tuna corpse → Albatross (only aerial fight) |
Aspect
Fish species
Details
Bass, Eel, Red Snapper, Sengarat, Halibut, Tigerfish, Flying Fish, Voxel Fish, Parrotfish, Dripper (10 total)
Aspect
Bait
Aspect
Rod
Details
Standard Fishing Rod
Aspect
Key purchases
Details
Professional Lure stock, Professional Boss Lure, Sniper/Uzi for Albatross
Aspect
Time to complete
Details
2-3 hours
Aspect
Economy
Details
High — but bait costs are steep
Island 5 (Volcano): The Endgame Finale
The Volcano closes the five-island run with the heaviest fights in the game: the routine Goblin Shark, the setup battle against the ordinary Bowhead Whale, and the Mutated Bowhead Whale finale triggered by throwing the whale corpse into the crater.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Fish species | Angelfish, Blobfish, Oarfish, Anglerfish, Stonefish, Superdwarf Fish (6 total) |
| Bosses | Goblin Shark (optional), Bowhead Whale (main), Mutated Bowhead Whale (finale) |
| Bait | Scientific Lure (~$500) for regulars; Fish Bucket (quest) for Bowhead Whale; Scientific Boss Lure (~$450) for Goblin Shark |
| Rod | Standard Fishing Rod |
| Key purchases | Scientific Lure stock, Assault Rifle with all upgrade modules |
| Time to complete | 3-5 hours |
| Economy | Very high — but Scientific Lure is expensive |
| Special mechanic | Fish Bucket → Bowhead Whale → throw corpse into crater → Mutated Bowhead Whale |
Aspect
Fish species
Details
Angelfish, Blobfish, Oarfish, Anglerfish, Stonefish, Superdwarf Fish (6 total)
Aspect
Bosses
Details
Goblin Shark (optional), Bowhead Whale (main), Mutated Bowhead Whale (finale)
Aspect
Bait
Details
Scientific Lure (~$500) for regulars; Fish Bucket (quest) for Bowhead Whale; Scientific Boss Lure (~$450) for Goblin Shark
Aspect
Rod
Details
Standard Fishing Rod
Aspect
Key purchases
Details
Scientific Lure stock, Assault Rifle with all upgrade modules
Aspect
Time to complete
Details
3-5 hours
Aspect
Economy
Details
Very high — but Scientific Lure is expensive
Aspect
Special mechanic
Details
Fish Bucket → Bowhead Whale → throw corpse into crater → Mutated Bowhead Whale
Economy Comparison: Cost vs Reward
Each island escalates bait costs but also increases fish value. The grill unlock on Island 3 is the inflection point that makes Islands 4-5 profitable.
| Island | Lure Cost | Avg Fish Value | Grill Bonus? | Profit Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lighthouse) | $0-1 | Low | No | ⭐ |
| 2 (Forest) | $0-5 | Medium | No | ⭐⭐ |
| 3 (Desert) | ~$50 | Medium-High | Yes (1.5x) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best value |
| 4 (Rocks) | ~$200 | High | Yes (1.5x) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5 (Volcano) | ~$500 | Very High | Yes (1.5x) | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Island
1 (Lighthouse)
Lure Cost
$0-1
Avg Fish Value
Low
Grill Bonus?
No
Profit Rating
⭐
Island
2 (Forest)
Lure Cost
$0-5
Avg Fish Value
Medium
Grill Bonus?
No
Profit Rating
⭐⭐
Island
3 (Desert)
Lure Cost
~$50
Avg Fish Value
Medium-High
Grill Bonus?
Yes (1.5x)
Profit Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best value
Island
4 (Rocks)
Lure Cost
~$200
Avg Fish Value
High
Grill Bonus?
Yes (1.5x)
Profit Rating
⭐⭐⭐
Island
5 (Volcano)
Lure Cost
~$500
Avg Fish Value
Very High
Grill Bonus?
Yes (1.5x)
Profit Rating
⭐⭐⭐
Difficulty Progression
The islands scale in difficulty, but the biggest spike is Island 4-5 where bait costs triple and bosses require fully upgraded weapons.
- Island 1 (Tutorial): Any melee weapon works. No preparation needed.
- Island 2 (Easy): Shotgun recommended. Bring healing for Giant Piranha.
- Island 3 (Medium): SMG/Uzi for Pufferfish. Blue Shark requires distance fighting.
- Island 4 (Hard): Sniper/Uzi mandatory for Albatross. Tight spaces punish mistakes.
- Island 5 (Very Hard): Assault Rifle with modules required. Both whale fights are marathons.
Time Investment per Island
Total playtime varies by playstyle, but here is the average time to complete each island (including fishing, quests, and boss fights):
| Island | Speedrun | Casual | Completionist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Lighthouse) | 30 min | 1 hour | 1.5 hours |
| 2 (Forest) | 1 hour | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| 3 (Desert) | 2 hours | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| 4 (Rocks) | 2 hours | 3 hours | 4 hours |
| 5 (Volcano) | 3 hours | 5 hours | 6+ hours |
| Total | 8.5 hours | 14 hours | 18.5+ hours |
Island
1 (Lighthouse)
Speedrun
30 min
Casual
1 hour
Completionist
1.5 hours
Island
2 (Forest)
Speedrun
1 hour
Casual
2 hours
Completionist
3 hours
Island
3 (Desert)
Speedrun
2 hours
Casual
3 hours
Completionist
4 hours
Island
4 (Rocks)
Speedrun
2 hours
Casual
3 hours
Completionist
4 hours
Island
5 (Volcano)
Speedrun
3 hours
Casual
5 hours
Completionist
6+ hours
Island
Total
Speedrun
8.5 hours
Casual
14 hours
Completionist
18.5+ hours
Which Island is the Most Important?
Island 3 (Desert) is the single most important island in the game. Here is why:
- Grill unlock: Defeating the Blue Shark unlocks the grill, which boosts all fish sell prices by 1.5x. This is the economy inflection point.
- Funds endgame: The 1.5x multiplier covers the expensive Scientific Lure ($500) and Assault Rifle upgrades of Island 5.
- Quest chain: The Needlefish → Carrot → Pufferfish quest teaches the final island's quest mechanics.
- Boss variety: Two bosses (Pufferfish + Blue Shark) prepare you for the multi-boss islands ahead.
💡 If you skip the Blue Shark on Island 3, Islands 4-5 become a grind. Unlock the grill first — it pays for itself within the first hour of Island 4.