Co-op & Multiplayer Guide
How to Fish supports 1-4 players in online co-op, turning your solo fishing survival story into a chaotic multiplayer adventure. Here's everything you need to know about fishing with friends.
Co-op Basics
How to Fish supports up to four players in online co-op. You and your friends can fish together, fight bosses together, and progress through the island chain as a team. The game's physics-based mechanics become even more entertaining (and unpredictable) with multiple players casting lines simultaneously.
The co-op experience is designed around the same core loop as single-player — fish, kill, sell, upgrade — but with the added dimension of teamwork and coordination. Or, if your friends are anything like ours, the added dimension of chaos and sabotage.
- Supports 1-4 players online
- Full co-op progression through all islands
- Shared gameplay experience with individual gear
- Physics-based hilarity multiplied by player count
Multiplayer Strategies
In co-op, you can divide and conquer. Have one player focus on fishing while another handles combat against dangerous creatures. On later islands where enemies are a constant threat, this division of labor becomes essential.
Coordinate your gear purchases so the team has a balanced loadout. If everyone buys the same fishing rod and nobody invests in weapons, you'll be well-equipped to catch fish but defenseless against the boss. Talk about your upgrade plans before spending.
- Split roles: dedicated fishers and dedicated fighters
- Coordinate gear purchases for team balance
- Spread across fishing spots for maximum income
- Group up for boss fights
Hosting and Joining Games
How to Fish uses online co-op, so you'll need an internet connection to play with friends. The game supports Steam's standard multiplayer infrastructure, making it easy to invite friends directly through your Steam friends list.
The game also supports Family Sharing, so family members on the same Steam account can access the game. Check your network settings if you experience connection issues, and make sure all players are running the same version of the game.
Co-op Tips
The gambling mechanic is even more fun (and dangerous) in multiplayer. You can watch your friends lose their hard-earned fish money in real time, or pool your resources for a high-stakes group bet.
Trick shots are a great way to show off in co-op. Landing a stylish cast in front of your friends earns you bragging rights on top of the bonus money. The physics-based system means every trick shot attempt is a unique spectacle — especially the ones that go horribly wrong.
- Compete for the best trick shots among your group
- Pool money for high-risk, high-reward gambling
- Revive teammates if the game supports it — don't leave friends stranded
- Rare fish hunts are more efficient with multiple players covering different spots