How to Catch Every Fish in ACNH: Fast Critterpedia Completion Guide

Missing a few fish in your Critterpedia? Don't worry, this guide will help you finish it with ease!

how-to-fish

1. Understanding Fish Spawn Patterns (It's Actually Simple)

Remember these four key points before fishing:

Season/Month: Fish follow a calendar too (note that seasons are opposite in Northern and Southern Hemispheres!)
Time of Day: All day / Daytime / Evening / Night — fish have their own schedules
Weather: Some fish enjoy a stroll in the rain
Location: Sea, river, pond, pier, cliff top... fish are picky about their homes

Guess the fish by its shadow:

Tiny shadow: Common small fish (skip if you're in a hurry)
Medium shadow: Your everyday fish
Large shadow: Rare finds
Shadow with a fin: Hello, shark family!

This Month's Priority Fish (Northern Hemisphere, February):
If you're playing in February, these are the fish you'll want to focus on before they're gone:

Fish	Month	Location	Best Time	Tip
Stringfish	February	Clifftop River	4 PM - 9 AM	Large shadow, use bait near waterfalls
Blowfish	February	Sea	6 PM - 4 AM	Medium shadow, appears all night
Sea Butterfly	February	Sea	All day	Tiny shadow, swims slowly

Quick tip: Open your Nook Phone and mark these February fish with a star in your Critterpedia so you don't miss them before March arrives!

2. Handy Tips for Using Fish Bait

When to use it:

Your pier is small and spawns are slow
The fish only appears for 2 hours
It's the very last one you need!

When to skip it:

Just fishing for relaxation
Collecting common fish
Shark season (they're everywhere in the sea)

Pro tips:

Rainy day + Fish Bait = Higher chances for certain fish
Used 10 bait with no luck? Try again tomorrow—don't get too fixated
Looking to save time? You can directly purchase Fish Bait here instead of crafting it yourself

3.Helpful Tools and Resources

Need more detailed information? You can easily find complete fish lists organized by month and location. Search for "ACNH fish month chart" in popular Animal Crossing communities or guide apps to find comprehensive tables you can check anytime.

ACNH Fish FAQ

Q1: That pier just won't give me a marlin!
That's normal~ Try over a few days, or come back at a different time.

Q2: Which cliff level do I fish on for cliff-top fish?
A: Must be the "top level" of the cliff—middle and bottom don't count!

Q3: Do I have to fish when it's raining?
A: It's worth a try! Some fish love to come out in the rain.

Completing your Critterpedia is like collecting stamps—taking it slow is part of the fun. Catch a couple today, a few more tomorrow, and before you know it, you're almost done. While you're fishing, remember to watch the sunset by the shore and listen to the waves—that's the true Animal Crossing life. Wishing you great catches with every cast!