IGN Logo
Skip to content
Game Info

Task Search

No Results

Checklists

Checklist Creation
How creative can you get with your first free checklist?

All Fish List and Catching Guide

By Abby Lee Hood, Angie Harvey, Janet Garcia, +161 more
Updated: Jan 22, 2026 10:49am UTC

This Animal Crossing: New Horizons Fish guide features a complete list of all 80 ACNH Fish that are available to catch and collect throughout the game, along with their locations, the best time-frames you're most likely to catch them, their sell price, and the seasons in which they will appear, including a fish guide by month. Note that this list applies to all versions of ACNH, including the 3.0 Update from January 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, which did not add any fish.

This page is interactive -- you can check off each fish you catch in the chart below, and we'll save your progress! Looking for something specific? Click the links below to learn more about Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Fish Available By Month

The types of fish that you can catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons will largely depend on the particular month, season, and time of day that you are currently experiencing in-game. For this reason, we have broken down all of the fish that you can find during each month. Simply click on the links below to learn more!

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune
JulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

Every Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Looking to catch a specific fish? We have you covered in our complete fish list below that details everything from their locations, active times, prices, and the season / months in which they will appear.

Note that you can hit the checkmarks below to save your progress in catching 'em all on your phone browser!

ACNH Fish Checklist

FishPriceShadow SizeLocationTimeSeason Northern HemisphereSeason Southern HemisphereCollected
BitterlingBitterling900Tiny ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
Pale ChubPale Chub160Tiny ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • All Months
  • All Months
Crucian CarpCrucian Carp160Small ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
DaceDace240Medium ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • All Months
  • All Months
CarpCarp300Large ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
KoiKoi4,000Large ShadowPond
  • 4pm - 9am
  • All Months
  • All Months
GoldfishGoldfish1,300Tiny ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
Pop-eyed GoldfishPop-eyed Goldfish1,300Tiny ShadowPond
  • 9am - 4pm
  • All Months
  • All Months
Ranchu GoldfishRanchu Goldfish4,500Small ShadowPond
  • 9am - 4pm
  • All Months
  • All Months
KillifishKillifish300Tiny ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
CrawfishCrawfish200Small ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Soft-shelled TurtleSoft-shelled Turtle3,750Large ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • August
  • September
  • February
  • March
Snapping TurtleSnapping Turtle5,000Large ShadowRiver
  • 9pm - 4am
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
TadpoleTadpole100Tiny ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
FrogFrog120Small ShadowPond
  • All Day
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
Freshwater GobyFreshwater Goby400Small ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • All Months
  • All Months
LoachLoach400Small ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • September
  • October
  • November
CatfishCatfish800Large ShadowPond
  • 4pm - 9am
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
Giant SnakeheadGiant Snakehead5,500Extra Large ShadowPond
  • 9am - 4pm
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • December
  • January
  • February
BluegillBluegill180Small ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • All Months
  • All Months
Yellow PerchYellow Perch300Medium ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
Black BassBlack Bass400Large ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
TilapiaTilapia800Medium ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
PikePike1,800Extra Large ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
Pond SmeltPond Smelt500Small ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • June
  • July
  • August
SweetfishSweetfish900Medium ShadowRiver
  • All Day
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Cherry SalmonCherry Salmon1,000Medium ShadowRiver (Clifftop)
  • 4pm - 9am
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
CharChar3,800Medium ShadowRiver (Clifftop)
  • 4pm - 9am
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • March
  • April
  • May
Golden TroutGolden Trout15,000Medium ShadowRiver (Clifftop)
  • 4pm - 9am
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • March
  • April
  • May
StringfishStringfish15,000Extra Large ShadowRiver (Clifftop)
  • 4pm - 9am
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
SalmonSalmon700Large ShadowRiver (Mouth)
  • All Day
  • September
  • March
King SalmonKing Salmon1,800Largest ShadowRiver (Mouth)
  • All Day
  • September
  • March
Mitten CrabMitten Crab2,000Small ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • March
  • April
  • May
GuppyGuppy1,300Tiny ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • October
  • November
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
Nibble FishNibble Fish1,500Tiny ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
AngelfishAngelfish3,000Small ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
BettaBetta2,500Small ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Neon TetraNeon Tetra500Tiny ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
RainbowfishRainbowfish800Tiny ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
PiranhaPiranha2,500Small ShadowRiver
  • 9am - 4pm
  • 9pm - 4am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
ArowanaArowana10,000Large ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
DoradoDorado15,000Extra Large ShadowRiver
  • 4am - 9pm
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
GarGar6,000Largest ShadowPond
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
ArapaimaArapaima10,000Largest ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
Saddled BichirSaddled Bichir4,000Large ShadowRiver
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
SturgeonSturgeon10,000Largest ShadowRiver (Mouth)
  • All Day
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
Sea ButterflySea Butterfly1,000Tiny ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
SeahorseSeahorse1,100Tiny ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • October
  • November
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
ClownfishClownfish650Tiny ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
SurgeonfishSurgeonfish1,000Small ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Butterfly FishButterfly Fish1,000Small ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
NapoleonfishNapoleonfish10,000Largest ShadowSea
  • 4am - 9pm
  • July
  • August
  • January
  • February
Zebra TurkeyfishZebra Turkeyfish500Medium ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
BlowfishBlowfish5,000Medium ShadowSea
  • 9pm - 4am
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
Puffer FishPuffer Fish250Medium ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • January
  • February
  • March
AnchovyAnchovy200Small ShadowSea
  • 4am - 9pm
  • All Months
  • All Months
Horse MackerelHorse Mackerel150Small ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
Barred KnifejawBarred Knifejaw5,000Medium ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
Sea BassSea Bass400Extra Large ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
Red SnapperRed Snapper3,000Large ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
DabDab300Medium ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
Olive FlounderOlive Flounder800Extra Large ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
SquidSquid500Medium ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
Moray EelMoray Eel2,000Medium (Narrow) ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • February
  • March
  • April
Ribbon EelRibbon Eel600Medium (Narrow) ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
TunaTuna7,000Largest ShadowPier
  • All Day
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
Blue MarlinBlue Marlin10,000Largest ShadowPier
  • All Day
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
Giant TrevallyGiant Trevally4,500Extra Large ShadowPier
  • All Day
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Mahi-mahiMahi-mahi6,000Extra Large ShadowPier
  • All Day
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
Ocean SunfishOcean Sunfish4,000Largest (Finned) ShadowSea
  • 4am - 9pm
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • January
  • February
  • March
RayRay3,000Extra Large ShadowSea
  • 4am - 9pm
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
Saw SharkSaw Shark12,000Largest (Finned) ShadowSea
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Hammerhead SharkHammerhead Shark8,000Largest (Finned) ShadowSea
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Great White SharkGreat White Shark15,000Largest (Finned) ShadowSea
  • 4pm - 9am
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Whale SharkWhale Shark13,000Largest (Finned) ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
SuckerfishSuckerfish1,500Large (Finned) ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
Football FishFootball Fish2,500Large ShadowSea
  • 4pm - 9am
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
OarfishOarfish9,000Largest ShadowSea
  • All Day
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
BarreleyeBarreleye15,000Small ShadowSea
  • 9pm - 4am
  • All Months
  • All Months
CoelacanthCoelacanth15,000Largest ShadowSea (Rainy Days)
  • All Day
  • All Months
  • All Months
80 Rows

What are Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Scattered around your island, you will often find unique fish that can be caught and collected.

Upon catching these fish, players will unlock them in the new phone app, Critterpedia. This extensive library will showcase every bug and fish that you have encountered and caught, along with a detailed breakdown of their active hours, most common locations, and the seasons / months in which they will appear.

Once the Museum is open on your island, you will also have the ability to donate your catches. While you won't receive any rewards for doing so, your Museum will begin to look pretty neat once it begins to fill up with new finds.

Alternatively, if collecting isn't your thing and you're after some extra cash, fish can be sold for Bells. While some fish will be worth more than others, players can use these Bells to purchase furniture and other useful items such as tools.

How to Catch Fish

See the video above for how to catch the most rare and valuable fish worth tons of Bells.

Catching fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is very much the same as previous games in the series, as you will firstly need to equip a Fishing Rod.

In order to obtain the fishing rod, the player can either craft one through DIY crafting or simply purchasing one from the shop in Resident Services.

Once you have your new fishing gear equipped, make your way towards the water and look for the small dark shadows of fish swimming in the nearby area. With the fish located, cast your rod towards the shadow and wait for the fish to hook on!

Fishing Tips and Tricks:

  • Cast your line so that it lands in front of the fish (otherwise it will not see it).
  • Mind the current! If your line is a bit far away, the current could carry it closer (or further) from the fish.
  • Fish will only nibble a max of 5 times before swimming away. Try counting up to five with each nibble the fish makes.
  • Listen: when a fish is just nibbling, you'll hear a light splash. When the fish has latched on, you'll hear a louder, dunking sound. Reel it in by pressing and holding "A."
  • Look for the bobber to go underwater! Reel it in by pressing and holding "A."
  • If you have trouble fishing, we recommend buying the Colorful Rod from Nook's Cranny because the bobber is a bit bigger and neon green, making it easier to see. Plus, the bobber is actually a rubber ducky.

Looking for even more? Why not check out some of our other handy Animal Crossing: New Horizons guides.

  • Bug Guide: Bugs List, Sell Price, and Bug Catching Tips
  • Money Making Guide - How to Get Bells Fast
  • Redd Art Guide: Real and Fake Paintings and Sculptures

Up Next: Sea Creatures Guide: Sea Creature List, Sell Price

Previous
All Bugs List and Catching Guide
Next
Sea Creatures Guide: Sea Creature List, Sell Price

Top Guide Sections

  • Beginner's Guide and Tips
  • All Bugs List and Catching Guide
  • All Fish List and Catching Guide
  • Sea Creatures Guide: Sea Creature List, Sell Price

Was this guide helpful?

In This Guide

Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New HorizonsNintendo
Initial Release: Mar 20, 2020
ESRB: Everyone
Nintendo Switch
IGN Logo
Reviews•News•CES 2026•Game Guides•How to Watch Guides•LEGO Set Reviews•Board Game Reviews•Planet Pokemon•IGN Store•Game Release Dates•Map Genie•Top Deals•Eurogamer•IGN YouTube•HowLongToBeat•Maxroll•VG247•Rock Paper Shotgun•IGN TikTok•IGN on X•Contact Us•Privacy Policy•Terms of Use