How Many Islands Are in How to Fish?
Direct answer first: five named main stages on the verified route, official numbering that runs at least to island 6, several mini islands since the Islet Update — and the exact official naming rules stay unverified.
Quick answer: five stages, official numbering to island 6, plus mini islands
Player guides describe five main route stages: Lighthouse → Forest → Desert → Rocks → Volcano. But the game itself counts higher: the official patch 1.0.11 notes refer to a “roulette table on island 6”, and patch 1.0.4 moved the final part of the intended path. Since The Islet Update (1.1.0), the world also has multiple mini islands and revised distances between each island.
All main islands in order
| Stage | Player-search name | Boss gate / what it leads to | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighthouse | Spider Crab → boat keys | Route start verified |
| 2 | Forest | 3 leeches → Modified Leech → Giant Piranha | Multi-source verified |
| 3 | Desert | Next quest chain; exact transition trigger not yet verified | Community-verified name |
| 4 | Rocks | Late-stage route; unlock details not yet verified | Community-verified name |
| 5 | Volcano | Final chain and the ending | Community-verified name |
| 6 | Officially: “island 6” | Role/name not published; the patch only confirms the label | Official patch mention |
The mini islands (1.1.0)
The Islet Update added multiple mini islands — small optional areas — and adjusted the distance between each main island. Patches 1.1.2/1.1.3 tuned them further (bigger radar dots, larger new-bait spawns). They are separate from the numbered main route; details live on the mini islands page.
Lighthouse
The story starts here; the boat keys are the early gate. Island pages carry the stage detail.
Forest
The leech quest (3 ground pickups → Modified Leech) feeds the Giant Piranha encounter on the later island.
Desert / Rocks
Mid-game quest stages; exact unlock conditions and official labels are not yet verified.
Volcano
Treated as the final story stage by current route guides; the ending hand-in chain completes here.
How islands unlock
Islands unlock by following quests and beating boss gates — progression is quest-led, not catch-led. Radar and boat travel are involved in reaching the next stage; see the radar page.
Why guides disagree about the number
Older guides counted the five named stages; official patch notes count numbered spots up to island 6 and now add mini islands. The honest answer names both layers: five community-named route stages, official numbering of at least six main areas, and optional mini islands on top.
FAQ
Common questions about this topic.
How many islands are in How to Fish?
Five named main route stages (Lighthouse, Forest, Desert, Rocks, Volcano); official patch notes also reference island 6, and The Islet Update added multiple mini islands.
Is there an island 6 in How to Fish?
Yes — the official 1.0.11 patch notes mention a roulette table on island 6. Its role and name were not published in that note.
Are these the official island names?
The five route-stage names come from player guides; official naming and unlock conditions are not yet verified.
What unlocks each island?
Quest chains and boss gates; exact unlock conditions are not yet verified.