Fishing is one of the main things you can do in Animal Crossing: New Horizons to make some money. There are dozens of different types of fish all ranging in value from 100 Bells all the way up to 15,000 Bells. This guide will go over the most valuable fish to catch in the game.
Best Fish to Catch For Money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Before you go out and try to catch these fish, stock up on Bait by digging up clams on the beach. Look for the spurts of water coming out of the ground and dig them up.
Coelacanth – 15,000
Out of all the highest value fish, there’s only one that spawns year-round at all times of day: the Coelacanth. The only thing you need to make sure of is that it’s raining. You’ll find this fish in the sea, and their shadow is slightly larger than Sea Bass. The Coelacanth will get you a whopping 15,000 Bells.
Barreleye – 15,000
The only other year-round fish as valuable as the Coelacanth is the Barreleye. You can find its small shadow between 9 PM and 4 AM in the ocean. It’s a hard one to catch because there are many other small shadow fish that will be competing against the Barreleye.
Fins – 8,000 to 15,000
Keep your eyes peeled for Fins, or Sharks, during the summer months in the Northern Hemisphere and December to February in the Southern Hemisphere. Sharks will always be found in the evening through the morning.
Sharks include Great White Shark, Whale Shark, Saw Shark, and Hammerhead Sharks. These will range between 8,000 to 15,000 Bells, and the Ocean Sunfish goes for 4,000 so even that one is worth catching.
Marlin and Tuna – 10,000 Bells and 7,000 Bells
Always check out the pier area of your island and be on the lookout for big shadows. You may be able to snag a Marlin or Tuna at any time of the day, which will fetch you 10,000 Bells or 7,000 Bells.
Sturgeon – 10,000 Bells
At the river mouths, one fish will spawn all-day long: the Sturgeon. It shares its large shadow with other river fish. You can segment off the river by editing your island and leaving only the river mouth if you’re having trouble. The Sturgeon will sell for 10,000 Bells.
If you’re not sure where to be looking, the river mouth is where the river empties into the sea and you can see some rocks beneath the surface.
Golden Trout and Stringfish – 15,000 Bells
Two fish found only on the clifftop rivers are the Golden Trout and Stringfish. You’ll find these in the area where the waterfalls are located on the second and third tiers of your island. The Stringfish’s shadow is slightly larger than the Black Bass and the Golden Trout is a bit smaller.
Stringfish can be found between 4 PM and 9 AM from December through March in the Northern Hemisphere or June to September in the Southern Hemisphere. The Golden Trout appears in the Spring and Fall months in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
These are currently the most valuable fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons guaranteed to make you the most money.
