How to Get the Ending in How to Fish
The final boss is not the final input: finish the hand-in and RHIB steps to trigger the credits.
Spoiler warning
This page covers the final route, the ending trigger and post-credits state. It does not transcribe dialogue or claim an unverified alternate ending.
Quick answer
Clear the story route to Volcano, defeat Mutated Bowhead Whale, pick up the Whale Fin, hand it to the scientist, take the military/RHIB keys, then start the RHIB toward the mainland. That boat interaction is what rolls the credits.
What must be completed first
- Clear the confirmed boss chain: Spider Crab, Sunfish, Giant Piranha, Pufferfish, the late-boss branch, then Mutated Bowhead Whale.
- Keep following quests; progression is quest-led, not catch-volume-led.
- Use the walkthrough for the route hub.
Final island
Current guides place the final sequence on Volcano. Use the Volcano page for location context; this page owns the completion sequence, not the full island walkthrough.
Final required boss / encounter
Mutated Bowhead Whale is the verified final boss in the confirmed chain. HP, damage, attack names and timings are not yet verified.
Required quest hand-in
The final boss drops the Whale Fin. Current multi-source guides identify the scientist on Volcano as the hand-in point; he gives you the military/RHIB keys after accepting it.
How to unlock the final boat
Return the Whale Fin to the scientist, take the military/RHIB keys, walk to the RHIB by the camp dock and interact with its start control. Do not confuse this ending boat with the early-game boat-key task.
How to trigger the ending
- Defeat Mutated Bowhead Whale.
- Pick up the Whale Fin and hand it to the scientist.
- Take the military/RHIB keys.
- Start the RHIB and choose the return-to-mainland interaction.
What happens in the ending cutscene?
Starting the RHIB takes control away, the boat sails home and the credits roll. The official achievement We are so back is described as “Finish the game”; this page does not reproduce dialogue or subtitles.
What happens after the credits
Current guides report that the save remains usable after the credits, with unlocked islands and owned gear available for cleanup. Treat exact reset rules and every persistence detail as current-build-sensitive.
Can you keep playing?
Yes, according to current multi-source reporting: continue the same save to finish achievements, creatures and other optional work. Restart Steam after patches if the ending state behaves unexpectedly.
Secret ending and multiple endings
No second ending is verified in the current evidence set. The safe claim is a boundary, not an absolute denial: do not publish a secret-ending count without new official or current-build evidence.
Common problems
- If the ending does not trigger, confirm the Whale Fin was handed to the scientist.
- If the RHIB option is missing, confirm you have the military/RHIB keys and are using the final boat on Volcano, not the early-game boat.
- If an older guide conflicts with the current route, check Patch 1.0.12; its final-boss explosive-damage fix does not replace the ending hand-in.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
Is there an ending in How to Fish?
Yes. The official Steam achievement We are so back is described as finishing the game.
Does killing the final boss finish the game?
No. Hand in the Whale Fin, take the military/RHIB keys and start the RHIB to trigger the credits.
Can you keep playing after the credits?
Current guides report that the save remains available for cleanup, but exact persistence details are current-build-sensitive.
Are there multiple endings?
No second ending is verified in the current evidence set.
Who is the final boss?
Mutated Bowhead Whale is the verified final boss in the current boss chain.