How to catch rare fish
Let's start by explaining some of the mechanics surrounding the scarcity of fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The fish are divided into various spawn pools, as it were. There are fish that spawn in the river, ocean, or ponds. And even among these, they can be divided into other subsets, such as fish that breed in high rivers above cliffs and those that breed in the mouth of the river. On the ocean side, some fish only spawn near the pier, while others appear when it rains. And that can all change depending on the time of day, with some appearing all day, others appearing from 9 a.m. to 16 p.m., and others only appearing from 16 p.m. to 9 a.m. The weather is also a factor, with rain or snow bringing out rare fish quite often, check out this guide for more information.
Most rare fish are found in the ocean, but the rarity can be relative. If you do all your fishing in the ocean, you have to mix it up. The ponds offer fish such as koi carp and goldfish that cannot be found elsewhere. And the river offers rare fish like the arowana, but only from December to March. So of course you have to fish all the time. Spread out your fishing hours, so that you get fish from all over the schedule. And you'll need to fish throughout the year to make sure you don't miss out on any seasonal fish. Variety is the key, but so is dedication.
But let's break down the best method for catching rare fish. First you need to decide where you want to fish. Then get some fish bait. You can now make your own home here, with the pier usually offering beautiful rare fish in the form of blue marlin and tuna, which only spawn there. Sturgeons spawn in the mouth of the river, where the river flows into the sea, so use bait here to try and get one. And the river in the cliffs offers rarities like stringfish and golden trout, so bring some bait up there and get to work. Sticking to one spot, using a lot of bait, and catching fish in a row really helps get the few.
While ocean fishing is the best place for the high price and rare fish in general, you have to mix them up or you will keep catching the same bass and horse mackeral over and over again. Learning the shadow silouettes of the fish you prefer is another key. Bigger is generally better in the ocean and the mouth of the river, but the river and pond can vary wildly. However, if you see a fin sticking out of the water, it's a shark and you'll definitely want to catch it if possible. You'll need to react quickly though, so be prepared when you launch.
Finally, this all applies twice for the Mysterious Islands you visit with a Nook Miles ticket. They also increase the spawning grounds of rare fish, so try to apply these tips there to maximize your results. Hope these tips guide you in your fishing and show you how to catch rare fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Let us know if you are looking for advice on a particular species and we will try to help.
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