Direct answer: How to Fish has 49 listed fish and sea creatures across the five islands. The checklist below includes regular fish, endangered catches, and bosses together with their island, required bait, rod, and listed selling price.
All fish and creatures
| Fish or creature | Type | Island | Bait | Rod | Selling price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Crab | Normal | Island 1 | Free Lure | Crab Fishing Rod | 3 |
| Piranha | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure; Hotdog | Fishing Rod | 4 |
| Gar | Normal | Island 2 | Free Lure | Fishing Rod | 5 |
| Shrimp | Normal | Island 1 | Free Lure | Crab Fishing Rod | 5 |
| Mackerel | Normal | Island 2 | Free Lure | Fishing Rod | 6 |
| Rock Crab | Normal | Island 1 | Hotdog | Crab Fishing Rod | 7 |
| Lobster | Normal | Island 1 | Hotdog | Crab Fishing Rod | 9 |
| Cod | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 10 |
| Goby | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 12 |
| Pike | Normal | Island 2 | Free Lure | Fishing Rod | 12 |
| Salmon | Normal | Island 3 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 14 |
| Perch | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 18 |
| Triggerfish | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 18 |
| Goldfish | Normal | Island 2 | Beginner Lure | Fishing Rod | 24 |
| Catfish | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 46 |
| Clownfish | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 46 |
| Sea Urchin | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 52 |
| Yellow Boxfish | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 53 |
| Needlefish | Endangered | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 60 |
| Angelfish | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 62 |
| Bluegill | Normal | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 62 |
| Seahorse | Endangered | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 100 |
| Bowlfish | Endangered | Island 3 | Standard Lure | Fishing Rod | 150 |
| Bass | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 250 |
| Eel | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 280 |
| Red Snapper | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 280 |
| Sengarat | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 280 |
| Halibut | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 290 |
| Tigerfish | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 310 |
| Flying Fish | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 320 |
| Voxelfish | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 340 |
| Parrotfish | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 350 |
| Dripper | Normal | Island 4 | Professional Lure | Fishing Rod | 380 |
| Blobfish | Normal | Island 5 | Scientific Lure | Fishing Rod | 1360 |
| Oarfish | Normal | Island 5 | Scientific Lure | Fishing Rod | 1450 |
| Anglerfish | Normal | Island 5 | Scientific Lure | Fishing Rod | 1500 |
| Stonefish | Normal | Island 5 | Scientific Lure | Fishing Rod | 1500 |
| Superdwarf Fish | Normal | Island 5 | Scientific Lure | Fishing Rod | 1700 |
| Sunfish | Boss | Island 2 | Beginner Boss Lure | Fishing Rod | 50 |
| The Old Pike | Boss | Island 2 | Beginner Boss Lure | Fishing Rod | 80 |
| Blue Shark | Boss | Island 3 | Standard Boss Lure | Fishing Rod | 300 |
| Tuna | Boss | Island 4 | Professional Boss Lure | Fishing Rod | 2000 |
| Goblin Shark | Boss | Island 5 | Scientific Boss Lure | Fishing Rod | 6200 |
| Bowhead Whale | Boss | Island 5 | Fish Bucket | Fishing Rod | 8000 |
| Spider Crab | Boss | Island 1 | Empty Beer Can | Crab Fishing Rod | — |
| Giant Piranha | Boss | Island 2 | Modified Leech | Fishing Rod | — |
| Pufferfish | Boss | Island 3 | Carrot | Fishing Rod | — |
| Albatross | Boss | Island 4 | Tuna | Fishing Rod | — |
| Mutated Bowhead Whale | Boss | Island 5 | Bowhead Whale | Fishing Rod | — |
How to catch fish creatures
Use a rod to hook a fish
Buy the correct rod, equip the required bait, and cast the hook into the ocean. After a few seconds, an indicator shows that a fish has taken the bait. Reel the hook back in to bring the creature to shore.
Release and incapacitate the creature
On land, drop the hooked creature by unequipping it or switching to another inventory item. The creature will start moving away, so incapacitate it before it escapes.
Sell the fish or use it for food
After the creature is incapacitated, it can be sold, eaten to restore hunger, or given to an NPC when a quest requires that catch. Preserve unusual boss and quest items until you know whether they must be handed in for progression.