ACNH Fish Guide: Catch Rare Fish and Complete Your Critterpedia

Completing your fish Critterpedia in Animal Crossing: New Horizons takes more than a fishing rod and patience. With 80 fish to collect, you need to track seasonal availability, fishing times, locations, and special weather conditions.

The fastest approach is to check which fish you are missing, prioritize species that will soon become unavailable, and use Fish Bait to reduce waiting time at specific fishing spots.

Check Fish Availability Before Fishing

Every fish has its own spawning requirements. Before heading out, check the species you still need and confirm four details:

Month: Some fish appear only during certain months.

Time: Fish may be available all day or restricted to specific hours.

Location: Fish can appear in rivers, ponds, the sea, river mouths, clifftop rivers, or near the pier.

Weather: The Coelacanth can only be caught in the sea when it is raining.

Fish shadows can help you narrow down possible catches. Finned shadows indicate sharks and certain other fish, while shadow size helps distinguish between different species. However, appearance alone cannot guarantee a particular catch.

 

Use Fish Bait Strategically

Fish Bait helps generate fish shadows without waiting for fish to spawn naturally. It is especially useful when targeting a specific location or trying to catch a seasonal species before it disappears.

To make Fish Bait, dig up a Manila Clam on the beach and craft it at a DIY workbench. Scatter the bait into the water to spawn a fish nearby.

Use it where it saves the most time:

• Pier: Target fish such as Tuna, Blue Marlin, Giant Trevally, and Mahi-mahi when they are in season.
• Clifftop rivers: Look for Stringfish and Golden Trout when they are available.
• Seasonal targets: Prepare bait before a fish becomes unavailable for several months.
• Weather-dependent fish: Use bait in the sea while it is raining to target the Coelacanth.

Fish Bait does not directly increase the chance of catching a rare fish. It creates another opportunity to catch a fish under the correct conditions.

 

Prioritize Rare and Seasonal Fish

Some fish require more planning than others. Instead of spending equal time on every species, focus on fish with limited availability or specific spawning requirements.

Pier fish: Tuna, Blue Marlin, Giant Trevally, and Mahi-mahi are worth checking because they appear only during certain months. Confirm their seasonal availability before spending time using bait at the pier.

Clifftop river fish: Stringfish and Golden Trout require the correct elevated river location. Check their available hours and seasonal conditions before fishing.

Night fish: Species that appear only in the evening or overnight are easier to target when you plan a dedicated fishing session.

Weather-dependent fish: The Coelacanth requires rainy weather. Prepare Fish Bait when the conditions are right so you can spend more time fishing and less time waiting for shadows.

Check your Critterpedia before each session. Catching a fish you have already recorded will not fill a missing entry.

 

Focus on October's New and Departing Fish

Fish availability differs between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, so your October priorities depend on your island's hemisphere.

Northern Hemisphere

October brings two new fish: the Yellow Perch in rivers and the Dab in the sea. Both are available all day.

Before the month ends, prioritize fish that will leave after October:

• Pier fish: Giant Trevally and Mahi-mahi.
• Pond fish: Catfish, available from 4 PM to 9 AM.
• River fish: Betta and Rainbowfish.
• Sea fish: Moray Eel and Ribbon Eel.

Check the time and location requirements for each species before fishing. The Giant Trevally and Mahi-mahi are particularly worth targeting at the pier before the month ends.

Southern Hemisphere

October brings several new fish as the island moves through spring. Notable arrivals include:

• Killifish: Found in ponds throughout the day.
• Crawfish: Found in ponds throughout the day.
• Snapping Turtle: Found in rivers from 9 PM to 4 AM.
• Surgeonfish: Found in the sea throughout the day.
• Guppy and Neon Tetra: River fish available during the day.
• Sea Horse, Clown Fish, Butterfly Fish, and Zebra Turkeyfish: New seasonal options found in the sea.

Before the end of October, prioritize Tuna and Blue Marlin at the pier. The Dab also leaves the Southern Hemisphere's available fish rotation after October.

Check your Critterpedia and an up-to-date monthly fish list for exact availability. Catching departing fish first helps you avoid waiting months for another opportunity.

 

Keep Track of Your Missing Fish

You do not need to complete all 80 entries in one sitting. Group your remaining targets by location and time to make each fishing session more efficient.

1. Check your Critterpedia and list the fish you have not caught.
2. Confirm their active months, available hours, and required locations.
3. Prioritize fish that will disappear when the month changes.
4. Prepare Fish Bait for specific locations such as the pier and clifftop rivers.
5. Update your list after each session and move on to the next missing species.

This approach reduces random fishing and helps you make steady progress without repeatedly targeting fish you have already collected.

 

FAQ

1. How many fish are there in ACNH?

There are 80 fish to catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. You can track your collection in the Critterpedia and donate new species to the Museum.

2. Does Fish Bait increase the chance of catching rare fish?

No. Fish Bait spawns a fish but does not directly increase the chance of catching a rare species. It helps you spend less time waiting for fish to appear.

3. What is the fastest way to complete the ACNH fish Critterpedia?

Check uncaught fish by month, time, location, and weather. Prioritize species that are about to leave the seasonal rotation, and use Fish Bait when targeting specific fishing spots.

 

Completing your ACNH fish Critterpedia is easier when you plan around fish availability instead of relying on random catches. Track your missing species, target the right locations, and use Fish Bait strategically to work toward all 80 fish.