On the left is a player in their Museum Aquarium, and on the right is an Olive Flounder fish, caught by a player in-game.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons—Fish Guide

The catch of the day awaits!

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Maya is a professional writer currently based in the South of England, with her niche being esports and video games. Having written for several popular websites, Maya thinks she has a trick up her sleeve for most games and is passionate about sharing them!

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Reyadh is a writer of fantasy, horror, and science fiction who loves to play video games full of monsters and magic. When he's not scribing unique and unrelenting speculative fiction or slaying demons in virtual worlds, he is writing strategy guides to help others reach their gaming goals.

Key Takeaway

To get started with fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you’ll need a Fishing Rod, which can be crafted or bought at Nook’s Cranny. There are 80 fish to catch, which can be donated to the Museum or sold for Bells as a quick money-making method.

These fish can spawn in the River, Pond, or Sea, each with different spawn times and seasons for the Southern and Northern Hemispheres.

Explore the waters of Animal Crossing: New Horizons with our comprehensive fish guide! From casting your line to reeling in all 80 different finned friends, we have everything you need to know about becoming a master angler on your virtual island.

Table Of Contents

    About Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    A player looking at the fish they've donated to the Museum.

    After reeling in a fish, you will “unlock” them in your Critterpedia—the handy app for documenting all of your catches. This app gives a detailed breakdown of each fish, where to catch them, their active hours, and the seasons/months they’ll spawn in.

    If you fancy collecting fish to fill an aquarium, you can donate them to Blathers in the Museum. While donating your prized catches doesn’t give you any rewards, it’s fun visiting with your villagers and seeing the fish floundering around. Excess fish can also be sold for Bells at Nook’s Cranny. Some fish are worth more than others; the rarer the fish, the more Bells it is worth.

    How to Catch Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    An Animal Crossing: New Horizons player fishing in the river.

    To start your journey to become the best angler, you need a Fishing Rod! To get a Fishing Rod, you can either craft one or purchase it from the upgraded Nook’s Cranny. Take a look at the table below for each Fishing Rod in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, including their durability and how to get them.

    Fishing Rod NameDurabilityHow To ObtainCrafting Materials (If any)Buy Price
    Flimsy Fishing Rod• 7 - 10 uses• Crafting recipe given by Tom Nook (first DIY workshop)• 5 Tree Branches• 400 Bells
    Fishing Rod• 30 uses• Crafting recipe obtained from Pretty Good Tools Recipes, which costs 3,000 Bells at the Nook Stop in Resident Services• 1 Flimsy Fishing Rod
    • 1 Iron Nugget
    • N/A
    Colorful Fishing Rod• 30 uses• Purchased from the Nook's Cranny cabinet after the first building upgrade • N/A• 2,500 Bells
    Fish Fishing Rod• 30 uses• Purchased from the Nook's Cranny cabinet after the first building upgrade • N/A• 2,500 Bells
    Outdoorsy Fishing Rod• 30 uses• Purchased from the Nook's Cranny cabinet after the first building upgrade • N/A• 2,500 Bells
    Golden Fishing Rod• 90 uses• Crafting recipe obtained once you've caught every fish in the game • 1 Fishing Rod
    • 1 Gold Nugget
    • N/A

    To maximize your fishing potential, it’s also recommended that you craft some Bait to lure a random fish to a specific location. It’s crafted from one Manila Clam, which can be dug up from water spouts on the beach using a Shovel.

    Tip
    You’ll automatically get the crafting recipe for Bait after digging up your first Manila Clam.

    Once you’ve got your Fishing Rod of choice and some Bait, it’s time to take to the water. Head to a pond, river, or the sea, and look for dark shadows swimming under the water. There are seven different shadows for fish, which can give you an inkling of what kind of fish you’re observing. The shadow sizes are:

    • Tiny (1)
    • Small (2)
    • Medium (3)
    • Large (4)
    • Extra Large (5)
    • Giant (6)
    • Narrow

    Some giant (size 6) shadows can come with a fin, especially when fishing in the sea. This usually signals that the fish is a shark or another rare, finned aquatic creature like an Ocean Sunfish. Narrow shadows imply that you’ll be reeling in an eel.

    Fishing Tips

    Fishing can be tricky to wrap your head around, but once you’ve mastered the art of fishing, you’ll be a pro in no time! Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when casting your line:

    • Cast your line in front of the fish. If you throw your line behind the fish, it won’t see it and, therefore, won’t latch on.
    • Watch the current. It can either carry your line closer to the fish or further away. If the latter happens, you’ll have to reel in your line and try again.
    • Fish will only nibble your line a maximum of five times before giving up and swimming away.
    • Make sure your game sound is on. When a fish is nibbling, you’ll hear a small splashing sound—don’t reel it in yet! When the fish has latched on, there will be a loud dunking sound. Your controller (or JoyCons) should also vibrate if you have a catch to reel in.
    • Press and hold “A,” then let go to reel in your catch, and your character will proudly lift up and present their new fish friend once it’s been caught!
    • Use Bait sparingly. You can only hold ten Bait in a stack. It’s better used to try and lure in rare fish like sharks or eels.

    Every Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

    There’s a grand total of 80 fish to catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, up from 72 in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. New fish to the series include the Mahi-mahi, Snapping Turtle, Golden Trout, Rainbowfish, Anchovy, Suckerfish, Ranchu Goldfish, Betta, Tilapia, and Barreleye.

    Without further ado, here’s our guide to all 80 fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, split into each location (River, Pond, Pier, and Sea). Start casting your line and you’ll fill in those empty slots in your Critterpedia swifter than a shark can bite!

    River Fish

    All 34 River Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

    There are 34 different fish found in the River! This includes the River Mouth and the Clifftop River. In particular, some rare fish can only spawn by the River Mouth (where the river meets the ocean), so pack your patience and your Bait; you may be waiting a while for the perfect catch!

    Fish NameRiver LocationPriceShadow SizeTimeNorthern Hemisphere MonthsSouthern Hemisphere Months
    Crucian CarpRiver160 Bells2All dayAll monthsAll months
    BluegillRiver180 Bells29AM - 4PMAll monthsAll months
    Pale ChubRiver200 Bells19AM - 4PM All monthsAll months
    DaceRiver240 Bells34PM - 9AMAll monthsAll months
    Yellow PerchRiver300 Bells3All dayOctober, November, December, January, February, MarchApril, May, June, July, August, September
    Freshwater GobyRiver400 Bells24PM - 9AMAll monthsAll months
    LoachRiver400 Bells2All dayMarch, April, MaySeptember, October, November
    Pond SmeltRiver400 Bells2All dayDecember, January, FebruaryJune, July, August
    Black BassRiver400 Bells4All dayAll monthsAll months
    Neon TetraRiver500 Bells19AM - 4PMApril, May, June, July, August, September, October, NovemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
    SalmonRiver (Mouth)700 Bells4All daySeptemberMarch
    TilapiaRiver800 Bells3All dayJune, July, August, September, OctoberDecember, January, February, March, April
    RainbowfishRiver800 Bells19AM - 4PMMay, June, July, August, SeptemberNovember, December, January, February, March, April
    SweetfishRiver900 Bells3All day July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    BitterlingRiver900 Bells1All dayNovember, December, January, February, MarchMay, June, July, August, September
    Cherry SalmonRiver (Clifftop)1,000 Bells34PM - 9AMMarch, April, May, June, September, October, NovemberMarch, April, May, September, October, November, December
    GuppyRiver1,300 Bells19AM - 4PMApril, May, June, July, August, September, October, NovemberOctober, November, January, February, March, April, May
    Nibble FishRiver1,500 Bells19AM - 4PMMay, June, July, August, SeptemberNovember, December, January, February, March
    PikeRiver1,800 Bells5All daySeptember, October, November, DecemberMarch, April, May, June
    King SalmonRiver (Mouth)1,800 Bells5All daySeptemberMarch
    Mitten CrabRiver2,000 Bells24PM - 9AMSeptember, October, NovemberMarch, April, May
    BettaRiver2,500 Bells29AM - 4PM May, June, July, August, September, OctoberNovember, December, January, February, March
    PiranhaRiver2,500 Bells29AM - 4PM & 9PM - 4AM June, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    AngelfishRiver3,000 Bells24PM - 9AMMay, June, July, August, September, OctoberNovember, December, January, February, March, April
    Soft-shelled TurtleRiver3,750 Bells44PM - 9AMAugust, SeptemberFebruary, March
    CharRiver (Clifftop Pond)3,800 Bells34PM - 9AM (March - June)
    All day (September - November)
    March, April, May, June, September, October, NovemberSeptember, October, November, December, March, April, May
    Saddled BichirRiver4,000 Bells49PM - 4AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Snapping TurtleRiver5,000 Bells49PM - 4AMApril, May, June, July, August, September, OctoberOctober, November, December, January, February, March, April
    SturgeonRiver (Mouth)10,000 Bells6All day September, October, November, December, January, FebruaryMarch, April, May, June, July, August, September
    ArowanaRiver10,000 Bells44PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    ArapaimaRiver10,000 Bells64PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March, April
    DoradoRiver15,000 Bells54AM - 9PMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Golden TroutRiver (Clifftop)15,000 Bells34PM - 9AMMarch, April, May, September, October, NovemberSeptember, October, November, March, April, May
    StringfishRiver (Clifftop)15,000 Bells54PM - 9AMDecember, January, February, MarchJune, July, August, September

    Pond Fish

    The a11 different fish that players can catch at the Pond in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

    All Animal Crossing: New Horizons islands get at least two naturally spawning ponds. Since it’s such a small body of water, all you need to pay attention to is the fish size and the times they spawn. If you’ve completed the main campaign, you can use the Island Designer app and the Waterscaping option to create a man-made fishing pond.

    Fish NamePriceShadow SizeTimeNorthern Hemisphere MonthsSouthern Hemisphere Months
    Tadpole100 Bells1All dayMarch, April, May, June, JulySeptember, October, November, December, January
    Frog120 Bells2All day May, June, July, AugustNovember, December, January, February
    Crawfish200 Bells2All dayApril, May, June, July, August, SeptemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March
    Killifish300 Bells1All dayApril, May, June, July, AugustOctober, November, December, January, February
    Carp300 Bells4All dayAll monthsAll months
    Catfish800 Bells44PM - 9AMMay, June, July, August, September, OctoberNovember, December, January, February, March, April
    Goldfish1,300 Bells19AM - 4PMAll monthsAll months
    Pop-eyed Goldfish1,300 Bells19AM - 4PMAll monthsAll months
    Koi4,000 Bells44PM - 9AMAll monthsAll months
    Ranchu Goldfish4,500 Bells29AM - 4PMAll monthsAll months
    Giant Snakehead5,500 Bells49AM - 4PMJune, July, AugustDecember, January, February
    Gar6,000 Bells54PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March

    Pier Fish

    Four fish: the Blue Marlin, Giant Trevally, Mahi-mahi, and Tuna. They can be caught at the Pier in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

    The pier is located on either the east or west beach of any island. Pier fish can also be caught at the Airport Dock.

    Fish NamePriceShadow SizeTimeNorthern Hemisphere MonthsSouthern Hemisphere Months
    Giant Trevally4,500 Bells5All dayMay, June, July, August, SeptemberNovember, December, January, February, March
    Blue Marlin6,000 Bells6All daySeptember, November, December, January, February, March, April, July, AugustJanuary, February, March, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Mahi-mahi6,000 Bells5All dayMay, June, July, August, September, OctoberNovember, December, January, February, March, April
    Tuna7,000 Bells6All dayNovember, December, January, February, March, AprilMay, June, July, August, September, October

    Sea Fish

    All 30 different Sea fish players can catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

    Sea fish can be captured at any beach, whether that’s on your island or a Nook Miles Ticket Mystery Island. You also have a chance to catch Sea fish while on the pier or Airport Dock.

    Fish NamePriceShadow SizeTimeNorthern Hemisphere MonthsSouthern Hemisphere Months
    Horse Mackerel150 Bells2All dayAll monthsAll months
    Anchovy200 Bells24AM - 9PM All monthsAll months
    Puffer Fish250 Bells3All dayJuly, August, SeptemberJanuary, February, March
    Dab300 Bells5All dayOctober, November, December, January, February, March, AprilApril, May, June, July, August, September, October
    Sea Bass400 Bells5All dayAll monthsAll months
    Zebra Turkeyfish500 Bells3All dayApril, May, June, July, August, September, October, NovemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
    Squid500 Bells5All dayDecember, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, AugustJune, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February
    Ribbon Eel600 BellsNarrowAll dayJune, July, August, September, OctoberDecember, January, February, March, April
    Clown Fish650 Bells1All day April, May, June, July, August, SeptemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March
    Olive Flounder800 Bells5All dayAll monthsAll months
    Sea Butterfly1,000 Bells1All dayDecember, January, February, MarchJune, July, August, September
    Surgeonfish1,000 Bells2All dayApril, May, June, July, August, SeptemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March
    Butterfly Fish1,000 Bells2All dayApril, May, June, July, August, SeptemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March
    Seahorse1,100 Bells1All dayApril, May, June, July, August, September, October, NovemberOctober, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
    Suckerfish1,500 Bells6 (With a fin)All dayJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Moray Eel2,000 BellsNarrow All dayAugust, September, OctoberFebruary, March, April
    Football Fish2,500 Bells44PM - 9AMNovember, December, January, February, MarchMay, June, July, August, September
    Red Snapper3,000 Bells4All dayAll monthsAll months
    Ray3,000 Bells54AM - 9PMAugust, September, October, NovemberFebruary, March, April, May
    Ocean Sunfish4,000 Bells6 (With a fin)4AM - 9PMJuly, August, SeptemberJanuary, February, March
    Barred Knifejaw5,000 Bells3All dayMarch, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, NovemberSeptember, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May
    Blowfish5,000 Bells39PM - 4AMNovember, December, January, FebruaryMay, June, July, August
    Hammerhead Shark8,000 Bells6 (With a fin)4PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Oarfish9,000 Bells6All dayDecember, January, February, March, April, MayJune, July, August, September, October, November
    Napoleonfish10,000 Bells64AM - 9PMJuly, AugustJanuary, February
    Saw Shark12,000 Bells6 (With a fin)4PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Whale Shark13,000 Bells6 (With a fin)All dayJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Great White Shark15,000 Bells6 (With a fin)4PM - 9AMJune, July, August, SeptemberDecember, January, February, March
    Barreleye15,000 Bells29PM - 4AMAll monthsAll months
    Coelacanth15,000 Bells6 All day (Only spawns if it's raining)All monthsAll months

    As you cast your virtual rod into the waters of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, armed with valuable insights from our fish guide, you’re destined to become a master angler in no time. If you want a break from fishing, put your critter-capturing skills to use and catch some deadly Scorpions to add to your collection! If you want a more peaceful pastime, summon your inner gardening skills and breed the rare Blue Roses.

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