There’s no question that fishing can be a lucrative enterprise in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. There are so many rare fish to find in lakes, ponds, rivers, and the ocean that you can make a lot of bells by spending your time fishing.
Perhaps the best spot to fish is on the pier. Every island in New Horizons has a pier and that particular spot is the only one where certain rare and expensive fish can spawn. But how can you cash in on this underwater bonanza? Read on and find out.
Updated April 4, 2023 By Helen Ashcroft: While Animal Crossing New Horizons may no longer be updated, it's still well worth playing. The relaxing farming and life sim lets you escape to an island and enjoy a peaceful existence of your own devising. However, everything is funded by Tom Nook and his loans. So if you want to pay off the bells you owe then get down to the pier, pronto.
Fishing Basics And Bait
We’re going to assume that you already know the basics of fishing in New Horizons and have already obtained and possibly even upgraded your fishing rod. You’ll also need some fish bait.
When it comes to fishing, persistence and patience is key, but you can help things along with fish bait. While fish aren't a particularly common sight at the pier, fish bait will encourage fish to congregate around this location and also make it more likely that larger, rarer species will spawn.
In general, the larger the shadow you see in the water after throwing your bait, the better. This means that it’s likely one of the pier-specific species has spawned. Then just toss in your lure and reel it in.
Catch Of The Day
Your ultimate target is the Blue Marlin. This is a rare species that can spawn at any time of day at the pier but will only appear outside the months of May, June, and October in the Northern Hemisphere, so you've got plenty of time to catch one. Blue Marlins are worth 10,000 bells, which is up there with some of the most expensive fish in the game.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Blue Marlins don't spawn in April, November, and December
Tuna is another species of rare fish that can spawn at the pier. Selling for 7,000 bells, Tuna is a decent payoff. In the Northern Hemisphere, they only spawn in November, December, January, February, March, and April, while in the Southern Hemisphere they only spawn in May, June, July, August, September, and October.
There's also the Giant Trevally, a 4,500-bell fish that can spawn in May, June, July, August, and September in the North. They will spawn in November, December, January, February, and March in the South. Just make sure you're looking at a large shadow, and you should be in for one of these three fish.
Of course, it's possible for other rare sea fish to spawn as well, including sharks which are always a big payday. So fill your pockets with bait and head on down to the pier to cash in on this undersea bounty.