How to Fish Leech Locations Guide: Finding All Five Island Ground Pickups
Finding all five leeches on Island 2 in How to Fish is the first major roadblock in the main quest, as players often search underwater for what are actually dry ground pickups.
Reaching the second landmass in How to Fish — after departing the starter island with our beginner guide — introduces players to one of the earliest campaign roadblocks: gathering 5 leeches for the Swamp Daughter (referred to in some community guides as the farmer). Ensure you have unlocked and purchased the Shotgun beforehand — recommended as a top firearm in our best weapons guide — as the main storyline progresses from gathering leeches to handing them in and subsequently battling the Giant Piranha.
Because this title centers on fishing mechanics, countless players waste valuable time casting rods into the surf or diving beneath waves searching for bait. In reality, leeches are strictly ground pickups scattered across the island interior. Each specimen appears as a small, dark strip-like object resting on the floor. When you spot one wriggling on dry soil, simply walk over and press the interaction button to add it to your inventory. Not a single leech ever spawns submerged in the water.
If you find yourself stranded at four leeches with the final piece missing, do not wander aimlessly. Implement an organized search sweep across the zone. Begin by patrolling the outer perimeter along the island edge. Next, cut inward in a zigzag pattern across the central plains, inspecting overgrown vegetation patches and thick grassy clumps. Finally, closely check behind wooden structures, camping shacks, boulder crevices, and around the quest giver's personal workspace, where stray items frequently hide in the shadows.
A frequent pitfall during the expedition involves miscounting your gathered haul. Players frequently assume they hold a full batch after picking up several items, only to make the trek back to the farmer empty-handed. Always open your bag interface before speaking with the NPC to ensure the counter displays all 5 specimens. Taking a moment to inspect your inventory saves unnecessary backtracking and proves you are ready for the turn-in.
Once all 5 leeches rest in your bag, speak with the Swamp Daughter (referred to in some community guides as the farmer) to deliver the complete set. The Swamp Daughter accepts the leeches to craft bait that lures the Giant Piranha into combat range. Keep in mind that once you fell the Giant Piranha, the Swamp Daughter strictly requires its skeleton rather than standard meat chunks. Turning in the 
Giant Piranha Skeleton awards the flash drive containing navigation coordinates to the third island. For the broader travel sequence, review the complete island progression walkthrough.