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Digital Aura Portal - FZCO
Building A1, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Premises Number 72647 - 001
Business registration number: 70647
October 02, 20258 min ReadElsaFishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is not just a calm and enjoyable pastime — it can also be a fantastic way to earn Bells. The profits you make from fishing depend heavily on which fish you manage to catch, as their selling prices vary widely. Some of the cheapest fish are only worth 100 Bells, while the rarest ones can fetch up to 150 times more. At first, you may think catching a valuable fish is just down to luck, but that’s not entirely true. The spawn mechanics aren’t purely random — fish availability depends on time of day, season, hemisphere, weather conditions, location, and even the size of their shadow. By learning these rules, you can significantly improve your chances. To help you, we’ve put together this full guide on The Most Expensive Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, covering everything you need to know.
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Before diving into the fish list, let’s clarify some terms about fishing spots:
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: River and Pond (Clifftop)
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
Golden Trout (Lat. Oncorhynchus aguabonita) is one of the most elusive and profitable fish in the game. These fish are known in real life for preferring pristine, high-altitude waters. In Animal Crossing, they can only be found in clifftop rivers and ponds during the night. You’ll see a medium-sized shadow if one is present. Landing this rare catch rewards you with an impressive 15,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: River (Clifftop)
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Stringfish (Lat. Parahucho perryi), also known as Japanese huchen, is another contender for the rarest fish in the game. It can only be caught in winter, in clifftop rivers, and always during the night. When donated, Blathers remarks on just how tricky this fish is to obtain. Selling one nets you 15,000 Bells, making it one of the top earners alongside the Golden Trout.
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: River
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Dorado (Lat. Salminus maxillosus) can be thought of as the summer equivalent of the Stringfish. This enormous golden river fish only shows up in summer, during daylight hours. A very large shadow in a river could mean a Dorado is nearby. Catching one will reward you with 15,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Great White Shark (Lat. Carcharodon carcharias) is one of the most iconic sea predators. In New Horizons, it can be found in the sea during summer months, appearing as a huge shadow with a fin. Selling this terrifying yet valuable shark will earn you 15,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: Sea
Seasonality: Year-Round
Active Hours: 9 PM - 4 AM
The Barreleye (Lat. Macropinna microstoma) is one of the strangest fish in the game, recognizable by its transparent, dome-like head. In real life, this deep-sea fish has only been photographed in recent decades. In-game, it appears at night in the ocean, all year round. Selling one grants you 15,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 15000
Location: Sea (During Rain)
Seasonality: Year-Round
Active Hours: All Day
The Coelacanth (Lat. Latimeria chalumnae) is often called a “living fossil” because it has existed for hundreds of millions of years. In New Horizons, it only shows up during rain, all year long. Its large shadow in the sea is unmistakable. Each one sells for 15,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 13000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Whale Shark (Lat. Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish in existence, but thankfully harmless. In-game, it shows up as a massive finned shadow in the ocean during the summer months. Catching one nets you 13,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 12000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Saw Shark (Lat. Pristiophorus japonicus) is instantly recognizable due to its saw-like snout. It appears during summer nights, showing up as a large finned shadow in the ocean. Each one sells for 12,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 10000
Location: River
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Arowana (Lat. Scleropages formosus) is culturally significant in Asia, believed to symbolize prosperity. In-game, it appears in rivers at night during summer. Selling one gives you 10,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 10000
Location: River
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Arapaima (Lat. Arapaima gigas) is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. In Animal Crossing, it appears in rivers at night during late summer. Its huge shadow is unmistakable, and catching one gives you 10,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 10000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 AM - 9 PM
The Napoleonfish (Lat. Cheilinus undulatus) is a colorful reef fish, recognizable by its hump-shaped head. It appears during midsummer in the sea, during the day. Selling one grants 10,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 10000
Location: River (River Mouth)
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Sturgeon (Lat. Acipenser oxyrinchus) is another “living fossil,” having existed for hundreds of millions of years. In New Horizons, it appears near river mouths in colder months. Its very large shadow will net you 10,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 10000
Location: Pier
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Blue Marlin (Lat. Makaira nigricans) is a massive ocean predator. In-game, it only appears near the pier, year-round during specific months. It’s one of the most rewarding pier catches, worth 10,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 9000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Oarfish (Lat. Regalecus glesne) is long, serpent-like, and believed to inspire old sea monster legends. It appears in the ocean during colder months, all day long, with a huge shadow. Each sells for 9,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 8000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Hammerhead Shark (Lat. Sphyrna zygaena) is known for its unique head shape. In New Horizons, it spawns during summer nights as a finned shadow. Catching one earns you 8,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 7000
Location: Pier
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Atlantic bluefin Tuna (Lat. Thunnus thynnus) is a fast, powerful fish. In-game, it can only be caught at the pier during colder seasons. Its all-day availability makes it easier to find. Selling one gives you 7,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 6000
Location: Pond
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 4 PM - 9 AM
The Gar (Lat. Lepisosteus oculatus) is a predatory freshwater fish. In New Horizons, it spawns at night during summer in ponds, showing up as a huge shadow. It sells for 6,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 6000
Location: Pier
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Mahi-Mahi (Lat. Coryphaena hippurus), also called dorado, lives in tropical waters. In-game, it appears at the pier during summer months, available all day. It’s worth 6,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 5500
Location: Pond
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM
The Giant Snakehead (Lat. Channa micropeltes) is a large freshwater predator. In Animal Crossing, it can be found in ponds during summer days. Selling it will bring you 5,500 Bells.
Price (Bells): 5000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: All Day
The Barred Knifejaw (Lat. Oplegnathus fasciatus), also known as Striped Beakfish, can be caught year-round except in winter. Its medium shadow in the ocean indicates its presence. It sells for 5,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 5000
Location: River
Seasonality:
Active Hours: 9 PM - 4 AM
The Snapping Turtle (Lat. Chelydra serpentina) is a fierce freshwater reptile. It spawns at night in rivers during warm months. Each one sells for 5,000 Bells.
Price (Bells): 5000
Location: Sea
Seasonality:
Active Hours: Nighttime
The Blowfish (Lat. Takifugu rubripes) is a toxic pufferfish species. In-game, it appears in the sea during winter months at night. Selling one earns you 5,000 Bells.
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With this guide, you now have all the information needed to maximize your fishing profits in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. By timing your fishing trips and targeting specific locations, you can significantly increase your odds of catching rare, valuable fish.
We at Gamer Choice hope you found this guide helpful. If you’d like us to expand the list with more fish or provide additional tips, let us know in the comments. Your feedback helps us improve future guides!