When and where to catch all Animal Crossing New Horizons fish

Animal Crossing: New Horizons fish
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Catching all of the Animal Crossing New Horizons fish is a task that will take you a considerable amount of time, in fact due to variations in the seasons it'll take the best part of a year all told. However, you'll need to power through this if you want to complete the collection for Blathers' museum, along with the separate Animal Crossing: New Horizons sea creatures which we've covered in another guide. It's the fish we're focused on here, so we've got a comprehensive listing of the times and locations where they can be found so you can catch them all in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

As we mentioned, what fish you can catch varies across the time of day, year and locations. When we first started this guide we worked across two Animal Crossing islands to discover all the fish available across the north and south hemispheres to speed up the year's discoveries. While that helped work all this out, you'll still need to keep fishing for most of a whole year if you want to find everything you can. So good luck and happy reels, here's how to catch every Animal Crossing New Horizons fish is the following locales:

  • River
  • River (Mouth)
  • River (Clifftop)
  • Pond
  • Pier
  • Sea

How to fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

(Image: © Nintendo)

If you're new to the series and are wondering how to fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, what you need to do is get a fishing rod, and then aim to drop your hook ahead of where the fish is facing. Next, wait until the fish spots it – they will nose the hook, but hold off until it pulls the float under the water with a satisfying plop. Then press A immediately to reel it in.

Below you'll find the Northern Hemisphere fish, but you can skip straight to the Southern Hemisphere using this quick link:

Animal Crossing New Horizons Fish in the Southern Hemisphere

Northern Hemisphere Fish

Animal Crossing New Horizons Fish in the Northern Hemisphere 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 NameSeasonality (North Hem)AvailabilityLocation
1BitterlingJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, DecAll hoursRiver
2Pale ChubAll months9AM - 4PMRiver
3Crucian CarpAll monthsAll hoursRiver
4DaceAll months4PM - 9AMRiver
5CarpAll monthsAll hoursPond
6KoiAll months4PM - 9AMPond
7GoldfishAll monthsAll hoursPond
8Pop-eyed GoldfishAll monthsAll hoursPond
9Ranchu GoldfishAll months9AM - 4PMPond
10KillifishApr, May, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursPond
11CrawfishApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursRiver
12Soft-shelled TurtleAug, Sept4PM - 9AMRiver
13Snapping TurtleApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct9PM - 4AMRiver
14TadpoleMar, Apr, May, Jun, JulyAll hoursPond
15FrogMay, Jun, Jul, AugAll hoursPond
16Freshwater GobyAll months4PM - 9AMRiver
17LoachMar, Apr, MayAll hoursRiver
18CatfishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct4PM - 9AMPond
19Giant SnakeheadJun, Jul, Aug9AM - 4PMPond
20BluegillAll months9AM - 4PMRiver
21Yellow PerchJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursRiver
22Black BassAll monthsAll hoursRiver
23TilapiaJun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursRiver
24PikeSept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursRiver
25Pond SmeltJan, Feb, DecAll hoursRiver
26SweetfishJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursRiver
27Cherry SalmonMar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
28CharMar, Apr, May, Jun, Sept, Oct, Nov4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
29Golden TroutMar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
30StringfishJan, Feb, Mar, Dec4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
31SalmonSeptAll hoursRiver (mouth)
32King SalmonSeptAll hoursRiver (mouth)
33Mitten CrabSept, Oct, Nov4PM - 9AMRiver
34GuppyApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov9AM - 4PMRiver
35Nibble FishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept9AM - 4PMRiver
36AngelfishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct4PM - 9AMRiver
37BetttaMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct9AM - 4PMRiver
38Neon TetraApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov9AM - 4PMRiver
39RainbowfishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct9AM - 4PMRiver
40PiranhaJun, Jul, Aug, Sept9AM - 4PM, 9PM - 4AMRiver
41ArowanaJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMRiver
42DoradoJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4AM - 9PMRiver
43GarJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMPond
44ArapaimaJun, July, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMRiver
45Saddled BichirJun, Jul, Aug, Sept9PM - 4AMRiver
46SturgeonJan, Feb, Mar, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursRiver (Mouth)
47Sea ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, DecAll hoursSea
48SeahorseApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursSea
49Clown FishApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursSea
50SurgeonfishApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursSea
51Butterfly FishApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursSea
52NapoleonfishJul, Aug4AM - 9PMSea
53Zebra TurkeyfishApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursSea
54BlowfishJan, Feb, Nov, Dec9PM - 4AMSea
55Puffer FishJul, Aug, SeptAll hoursSea
56AnchovyAll months4AM - 9PMSea
57Horse MackerelAll monthsAll hoursSea
58Barred KnifejawMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursSea
59Sea BassAll monthsAll hoursSea
60Red SnapperAll monthsAll hoursSea
61DabJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
62Olive FlounderAll monthsAll hoursSea
63SquidJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, DecAll hoursSea
64Moray EelAug, Sept, OctAll hoursSea
65Ribbon EelJun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursSea
66TunaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, DecAll hoursPier
67Blue MarlinJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul, Aug, Sept, Nov, DecAll hoursPier
68Giant TrevallyMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursPier
69Mahi-mahiMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursPier
70Ocean SunfishJul, Aug, Sept4AM - 9PMSea
71RayAug, Sept, Oct, Nov4AM - 9PMSea
72Saw SharkJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMSea
73Hammerhead SharkJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMSea
74Great White SharkJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMSea
75Whale SharkJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMSea
76SuckerfiskJun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursSea
77Football FishJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AMSea
78OarfishJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, DecAll hoursSea
79BarreleyeAll months9PM - 4AMSea
80CoelacanthAll monthsAll hoursSea (Rainy Days)

Southern Hemisphere Fish

Animal Crossing New Horizons Fish in the Southern Hemisphere

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell - Column 0 NameSeasonality (South Hem)Availability (April)Location
1BitterlingMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursRiver
2Pale ChubAll months8AM - 4PMRiver
3Crucian CarpAll monthsAll hoursRiver
4DaceAll months4PM - 9AMRiver
5CarpAll monthsAll hoursPond
6KoiAll monthsAll hoursPond
7GoldfishAll monthsAll hoursPond
8Pop-eyed GoldfishAll months9AM - 4PMPond
9Ranchu GoldfishAll months9AM - 4PMPond
10KillifishJan, Feb, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursPond
11CrawfishJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursRiver
12Soft-shelled TurtleFeb, Mar4PM - 9AMRiver
13Snapping TurtleJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct,Nov, Dec9PM - 4AMRiver
14TadpoleJan, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursPond
15FrogJan, Feb, Nov, DecAll hoursPond
16Freshwater GobyAll months4PM - 9AMRiver
17LoachSept, Oct, NovAll hoursRiver
18CatfishJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AMPond
19Giant SnakeheadJan, Feb, Dec9AM - 4PMPond
20BluegillAll months9AM - 4PM River
21Yellow PerchApr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursRiver
22Black BassAll monthsAll hoursRiver
23TilapiaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, DecAll hoursRiver
24PikeMar, April, May, JuneAll hoursRiver
25Pond SmeltJun, Jul, AugAll hoursRiver
26SweetfishJan, Feb, MarAll hoursRiver
27Cherry SalmonMar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AM River (Clifftop)
28CharMar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
29Golden TroutMar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
30StringfishJun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMRiver (Clifftop)
31SalmonMarAll hoursRiver (mouth)
32King SalmonMarAll hoursRiver (mouth)
33Mitten CrabMar, April, May4PM - 9AMRiver
34GuppyJan, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov9AM - 4PMRiver
35Nibble FishJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec9AM - 4PMRiver
36AngelfishJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec4PM - 9AMRiver
37BetttaJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec9AM - 4PMRiver
38Neon TetraJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec9AM - 4PM River
39RainbowfishJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, Dec9AM - 4PMRiver
40PiranhaJan, Feb, Mar, Dec9AM -4PM, 9PM - 4AMRiver
41ArowanaJan, Feb, Mar, Dec4PM - 9AMRiver
42DoradoJan, Feb, Mar, Dec4AM - 9PMRiver
43GarJan, Feb, Mar4PM - 9AMPond
44ArapaimaJan, Feb, Mar, Apr4PM - 9AMRiver
45Saddled BichirJan, Feb, Mar, Dec9PM - 4AMRiver
46SturgeonMar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, SeptAll hoursRiver (Mouth)
47Sea ButterflyJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
48SeahorseJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
49Clown FishJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
50SurgeonfishJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
51Butterfly FishJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
52NapoleonfishJan, Feb4AM - 9PMSea
53Zebra TurkeyfishJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
54BlowfishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug9PM - 4AMSea
55Puffer FishJan, Feb, MarAll hoursSea
56AnchovyAll months4AM - 9PMSea
57Horse MackerelAll monthsAll hoursSea
58Barred KnifejawJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov, DecAll hoursSea
59Sea BassAll monthsAll hoursSea
60Red SnapperAll monthsAll hoursSea
61DabAug, Sept, OctAll hoursSea
62Olive FlounderAll monthsAll hoursSea
63SquidAll monthsAll hoursSea
64Moray EelFeb, Mar, AprilAll hoursSea
65Ribbon EelJan,Feb, Mar, Apr, DecAll hoursSea
66TunaMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursPier
67Blue MarlinJan, Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept, OctAll hoursPier
68Giant TrevallyJan, Feb, Mar, Nov, DecAll hoursPier
69Mahi-mahiJan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov, DecAll hoursPier
70Ocean SunfishJan, Feb, Mar4AM - 9PMSea
71RayFeb, Mar, Apr, May4AM - 9PM Sea
72Saw SharkJan, Feb, Mar, Dec 4PM - 9AMSea
73Hammerhead SharkJan, Feb, Mar, Dec 4PM - 9AMSea
74Great White SharkJan, Feb, Mar, Dec 4PM - 9AMSea
75Whale SharkJan, Feb, Mar, Dec 4PM - 9AMSea
76SuckerfishJan, Feb, Mar, Dec All hoursSea
77Football FishMay, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept4PM - 9AMSea
78OarfishJun, Jul, Aug, Sept, Oct, NovAll hoursSea
79BarreleyeAll months9PM - 4AMSea
80CoelacanthAll monthsAll hoursSea (Rainy Days)
Sam Loveridge
Global Editor-in-Chief, GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge is the Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar, and joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

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