Main story · Start to credits
Complete How to Fish Walkthrough
Follow the critical path through every island, boss, quest item, and vehicle unlock—without wondering where the story goes next.
Quick route
Follow the quest chain, not every optional catch
The main route advances by collecting the item needed for the next objective, defeating the required boss, and unlocking the next island or vehicle. Use the nine stages below in order. If an interaction is missing, return to the previous stage and confirm that its named quest item was collected and handed in.
Progress check
Find the first unfinished objective
Start at the top and locate the first box you cannot check. That stage—not the newest island you can physically reach—is your current story objective.
Complete route
Story progression, step by step
Where to Find Leeches
Gather the early quest resource and finish its hand-in to move the opening progression chain forward.
Open Leech guide →Defeat the Giant Piranha
Prepare your weapon and boat, then defeat the first major boss blocking the next phase.
Open Giant Piranha guide →Unlock Island 3
Use the reward from the previous sequence to open the next destination and continue the main quest.
Open Island 3 guide →How to Beat Pufferfish
Complete the island objectives, survive its dangerous inflated phase, and claim the progression reward.
Open Pufferfish guide →Unlock Island 4
Turn the previous boss reward into access to the next region. Confirm the hand-in if the route is missing.
Open Island 4 guide →Defeat the Terrorizing Bird / Albatross
Track the airborne boss, survive its attack windows, and collect its story progression item.
Open Terrorizing Bird guide →Unlock the Volcano / Military Area
Complete the required hand-ins and activate the route into the late-game military area.
Open Volcano unlock guide →Defeat the Mutated Bowhead Whale
Trigger the final encounter and do not leave without collecting the named Whale Fin quest item.
Open Mutated Bowhead Whale guide →Return to the Mainland
Give the Whale Fin to the Scientist, receive the RHIB keys, and launch the military boat to trigger the credits.
Open ending guide →Troubleshooting
If the next objective does not unlock
Pick up the named quest reward before leaving a boss arena.
Return to the quest NPC and complete the previous exchange.
Keys belong to a specific boat or aircraft, not every nearby vehicle.
Reopen the previous detailed guide and verify its completion step.
FAQ
Walkthrough questions
Do I need every fish to finish the story?
No. The main route is driven by required quest items, bosses, hand-ins, and area unlocks.
Why did defeating a boss not unlock the next island?
Check the arena for its progression drop, then return to the relevant NPC. The hand-in often controls the unlock.
Does defeating the Mutated Bowhead Whale finish the game?
No. Collect the Whale Fin, give it to the Scientist, obtain the RHIB keys, and launch the military boat.
Can I keep playing after the credits?
Use the completed save to revisit unlocked areas and clean up optional fish, equipment, and achievements.