How To Catch Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Published on March 23rd, 2020 by Gervais D.

Even though a majority of the Animal Crossing: New Horizons player base should know how to properly fish in the game, some newcomers to the series might let a rare bottom feeder go. This guide will explain how to catch fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

How To Catch Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Before you can catch fish in the game, you will need a fishing rod. Timmy and Tommy will sell a flimsy rod, however, you can craft better quality fishing rods after obtaining the recipe. The normal fishing rod’s recipe can be purchased in exchange for Miles.

Equip the fishing rod and press A to throw it at the water. Make sure to aim carefully and avenge the distance between yourself and the fish to properly get the hook near the fish’s face. Wait for a unique noise and press A to reel the fish in.

Fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Caught a rare Tuna.

Using Fish Bait

At some point early in the game, you will obtain the recipe for making Fish Bait. Bait can be used to attract a fish with a guaranteed success rate. It’s perfect to use at the Island’s Pier (since there is a 0% natural spawn rate) or when farming fish.

Ingredients to make Fish Bait:

  • Manila Clam x 1

Use the DIY workshop/workbench to craft Bait. Repeatedly press A to speed the process up.

Where to find Manila Clams?

Carefully search the sand on the beach for tiny sprouts of water and use the shovel to dig them up on sight. It will be a Manila Clam unless you’re doing one of the NPC requests in the game. They respawn quickly, therefore it’s easy to farm for.

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About Gervais D.

Gervais laughs at a difficult RPG while it takes its last breath as he conquers it. He's been gaming since the NES and loves to relax at the beach.