Fishing in Starsand Island is one of the most rewarding ways to spend your time on the island, but it's far from a simple cast-and-wait affair. With over 50 species spread across lakes, rivers, the ocean, coral reefs, and even mystical zones like Celestwave and Luminwave, knowing exactly where to go, when to show up, and what bait to bring makes all the difference. This guide covers every fish in the game, organized by zone, along with the bait preferences, spawn windows, and seasonal conditions you need to reel them all in.
How Do You Unlock Fishing in Starsand Island?
Before you can catch anything, you need to get set up properly. Head to Aquablue Outpost between 8 AM and 10 PM in-game and speak with Delphin, the island's fishing mentor. He walks you through the basics and hands you your first Fishing Rod.
That said, the full fishing experience requires a bit more effort. You'll also need to meet Marston at the broken port and assist with rebuilding it, completing the Starsand Port Construction quest. Once that's done, you can rent a yacht and access open-water zones like Celestwave and Luminwave that aren't reachable on foot.
How Does the Fishing Minigame Work?
Once you're at a water body, look for fish shadows beneath the surface and cast your line near them. Tap and hold the fishing rod icon to aim, then release to cast. When a fish bites, the reeling minigame begins. The key mechanic: reel in when the indicator turns white, and let go when it turns red. Repeat this rhythm until the fish is fully landed.
It's straightforward once you get the feel for it, but timing matters more as you go after rarer species.
Cast near ripples for best results
What Fish Can You Catch in Each Zone?
Starsand Island organizes its fish across seven distinct water zones. Each zone has its own roster of species, and many fish are locked to specific seasons and weather conditions. Here's the full breakdown.
Lake Fish
River and River Lake Fish
The Giant Barb, Giant River Prawn, and Zander are available year-round in any weather, making the river zone a reliable fallback whenever conditions elsewhere aren't cooperating.
Ocean Fish
Coral Sea Fish
The Coral Sea is a compact zone with only three species, but the Humphead Wrasse is available all year in any conditions, making it a reliable target whenever you visit.
Celestwave Fish
Celestwave is only accessible by yacht after completing the Starsand Port Construction quest. All three fish here are available year-round, but note that the Mandarinfish and Ribbon Eel are strictly nighttime catches.
Luminwave Fish
Both Luminwave species require Meat bait. The Mola Mola is one of the most distinctive catches in the game and is available all year, while Tuna disappears during Winter.
Moonlit Forest Fish
The Moonlit Forest is a hidden gem for collectors. Both fish here accept all bait types and spawn year-round, making this one of the easiest zones to complete once you gain access.
Moonlit Forest fishing spot
What Are the Rarest Fish to Catch?
Some fish in Starsand Island have extremely narrow spawn windows that make them particularly hard to track down. Here's a quick look at the most condition-restricted species:
- Foureye Butterflyfish: Ocean only, Summer, Sunny weather, 12:00–02:00
- Lionfish: Ocean only, Summer, Rainy weather, 10:00–20:00
- Mackerel: Ocean only, Autumn, Rainy weather, 12:00–20:00
- Holland's Carp: River only, Autumn, Sunny weather, 10:00–00:00
- Chinese Perch: Lake only, Autumn, Sunny weather, 10:00–00:00
- Betta: Lake only, Summer, Sunny weather, 10:00–22:00
- Tilapia: River only, Summer, Sunny weather, 10:00–22:00
If you're chasing a full collection, plan dedicated sessions around these narrow windows rather than hoping to stumble into them.
Tips for Catching All Fish Efficiently
- Stock multiple bait types before heading out. Bug, Veggie, and Meat baits each unlock different species, and switching between them mid-session saves a lot of time.
- Check the in-game weather before planning your route. Rain-locked fish like the Lionfish and Mackerel require patience or strategic time manipulation.
- Prioritize year-round fish first to build momentum. Species like the Clownfish, Zander, and Giant Barb are always available and help you get comfortable with each zone.
- Complete the Port Construction quest early so you don't lock yourself out of Celestwave and Luminwave species until late in your playthrough.
- Target split-window fish carefully. Species like the Payara, Clown Featherback, and Redfish have two separate active windows per day, so plan your sessions around both windows if possible.