How to Fish: All Fish & Bait List (Wiki Database)
Search and cross-reference all 42 fish species across the 5 archipelago islands with the 16 available baits and lures. Discover required weapons, health bars, base values, and trickshot bonuses.
How Many Fish Are in How to Fish?
There are exactly 42 fish species in How to Fish across 5 islands. Each island features 8 to 9 local species with unique bait preferences. Catching all 42 completes your in-game Fishipedia codex.
How to Catch Endangered Fish (Spotted Guppy)
The Endangered Spotted Guppy is required to unlock the Pufferfish boss. Locate the hidden water pool concealed behind the Forest Island waterfall (Island 2). Cast with the Pull Back Rod and Earthworms. Save 2 guppies in your tackle bag for Tourist NPC delivery on Desert Island.
Mutated Bowhead Whale (Final Boss)
The ultimate entity of How to Fish. A titanic prehistoric whale mutated by sunken radioactive remnants.
Pro Tip: Requires the Pull Back Rod and max-tier weapons. Break its three dorsal crystal nodes first to disable its lava shield before targeting the heart.
The Apex Albatross (Sky Boss)
A monstrous ancient avian predator that feeds on pelagic fish. Swoops down from the stratosphere at blinding speed.
Pro Tip: Use the Sniper Rifle when it circles high in the clouds. Take shelter behind the boulder pillars when it charges its divebomb.
Magma Goblin Shark (Sub-Boss)
A nightmarish deep-sea monstrosity adapted to survive in boiling lava-infused sulfuric water.
Pro Tip: Aim for the extended protruding jaw when it bites forward for guaranteed 2.5x critical damage.
Colossal Spiny Pufferfish (Boss)
The scourge of Desert Island. Summons massive toxic spines that will instantly poison unprepared anglers.
Pro Tip: DO NOT shoot while its spikes are fully expanded (damage is reduced by 85%). Wait for deflation phase to unload full SMG magazines.
The Old Pike (Boss)
An ancient prehistoric predator with saw-like teeth that terrorizes the forest waterways. Drops the Pike Sawjaw required for Lumberjack Sven's repair quest.
Pro Tip: Dodge roll sideways when you see its yellow eyes flash before the lunge, then spray its gills. Deliver its Pike Sawjaw to Lumberjack Sven.
Giant Bluefin Tuna (Miniboss)
A 400kg torpedo of pure muscle. Catching and slaying this beast is the only way to summon the Albatross.
Pro Tip: Carry its carcass immediately to the mountain cliff altar to trigger the Albatross sky event.
Giant Spider Crab (Boss)
The terror of the starter island. A mutated titanic decapod awakened by the metallic chime of an empty beer can.
Pro Tip: DO NOT SELL ITS TROPHY SHELL! The ferry captain requires the Spider Crab Shell to unlock the boat to Forest Island.
Oasis Tiger Shark
Ferocious saltwater beast trapped in desert canals. Blood in the water sends it into a hyper-aggressive frenzy.
Pro Tip: Keep your stamina bar above 50%; it will jump onto dry land to bite if you are slow.
Deep Vampire Cuttlefish
Bioluminescent cephalopod that turns nearly invisible until it strikes.
Pro Tip: Equip a weapon with a Laser Sight attachment to track its refraction silhouette in the dark.
Endangered Spotted Guppy
Key quest fish. The Tourist NPC in Desert Island is desperately searching for this species.
Pro Tip: Do NOT blast with dynamite or sell to shop. Save 2 in your tackle bag for the Carrot Bait questline.
Volt Catfish
Biological capacitor that stores thousands of volts. Touching it during an active discharge will stun you for 2 seconds.
Pro Tip: Shoot from 5 meters away with the SMG to avoid being shocked.
Dune Sand Carp
Adapted to swim through fine desert silt as easily as water. Hard scales deflect low-tier pistol rounds.
Pro Tip: Look for dust plumes on the dunes before casting your line.
Armored King Crab
Heavily armored crustacean with thick chitin. Hits from unsharpened knives will bounce off.
Pro Tip: Sharpen your knife to Tier 2 at the lighthouse anvil before attempting to fight.
Prismatic Rainbow Trout
Vibrant freshwater game fish. High agility makes it ideal for scoring trick-shot multipliers.
Pro Tip: Stand downstream and reel towards the current to launch the trout 15 meters in the air.
Spotted Sea Bass
A hardy coastal predator. Deals minor chip damage if left thrashing on the beach.
Pro Tip: Yank the rod high into the air and quickswap to your pistol for an immediate 3x Airborne multiplier.
Triggerfish
Freshwater river catch on Forest Island. Sells for $18 base value (Source: IGN, third-party unverified; HP and multiplier stats unverified). Requires striking with bare hands upon landing.
Pro Tip: Do not let it flop back into the rapids β punch it with bare hands immediately upon landing to harvest (Source: Game8).
Beach Clam
Crucial early-game currency and progression item. Deliver 3 to the Lighthouse Keeper to unlock shop discounts.
Pro Tip: Do NOT sell all clams! Keep 2 to crush into Crushed Shell Bait for rare perch.
Coastal Minnow
Tiny silver baitfish found by the thousands. Great for practicing initial knife sharpening timings.
Pro Tip: Drag it far onto dry sand before swiping so it doesn't flop back into the water.
Frequently Asked Questions: All Fish & Endangered Catches
Q:How many fish are in How to Fish?
There are exactly 42 unique catchable fish species in How to Fish across the 5 archipelago islands, ranging from Common surfperch to Legendary primordial leviathans.
Q:How do you catch the Endangered Fish (Endangered Spotted Guppy) in How to Fish?
The Endangered Spotted Guppy is found exclusively in the secret secluded pool behind the main waterfall on Forest Island (Island 2). Equip your Pull Back Rod with basic Earthworms or Bread Crumbs. Delivering 2 of these to the Desert Island Tourist NPC unlocks the Carrot Bait needed to summon the Pufferfish boss.
Q:What is the most valuable fish in How to Fish?
The Mutated Bowhead Whale and Ancient Primordial Coelacanth have the highest base values ($2,500+). Combining them with airborne skeet shooting trickshots and campfire cooking can push single-catch payouts above $15,000.
Q:What bait catches the most fish in How to Fish?
Earthworms and Bread Crumbs are versatile early-game baits, while the Glitter Spinner (+200% shiny skin rate) and Pull Back Rod are essential for targeting rare and trophy variants.