Bug collecting and fishing in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are two of the quickest ways to earn bells to make island upgrades. Many of the fish active during the summer months are worth a lot of bells, making fishing a great side hustle for any player. While most of the common fish players are likely to find don't sell for many bells, there are several species that are valuable.
Many of the most valuable fish in the game are newcomers and have decently long seasons. They tend to be rare and sell for between 10,000 and 15,000 bells to Timmy and Tommy at Nook's Cranny. Players can also sell any of these fish to CJ, who will give them around 30% more per creature. Here are the most expensive fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and how to find them.
Most Expensive Fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Most of the valuable fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are seasonal and can only be caught within a brief window during the year. Most have returned from previous games, though several, including one of the most valuable, are new as of New Horizons.
It appears to be a trend in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that the most valuable critters are primarily nocturnal, meaning players looking for them will want to plan to fish in the evenings or late at night. Because many of these fish are rare, players are encouraged to craft fish bait and use it during the fish's active hours to increase the chance of it spawning.
Golden Trout: 15,000 bells
The Golden Trout is one of the most valuable fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. It was a new addition to the franchise. Players can find it in the River at the Clifftop from 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. each day. It is available in the Northern and Southern hemispheres from March through May and again from September through November.
When players sell the Golden Trout to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Stringfish: 15,000 bells
The Stringfish joins the Golden Trout as one of the most valuable river fish. It is distinguished by its huge shadow. It can also be found in the River at the Clifftop from 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. each day. It's available in the Northern hemisphere from December through March and the Southern hemisphere from June through September.
When players sell the Stringfish to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Dorado: 15,000 bells
The Dorado is known for its gold coloring and is the other most valuable river fish. Unlike the previous two on this list, the Dorado is found anywhere in the river during the day from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. Its shadow will appear very large. In the Northern hemisphere, it is available from June through September, and in the Southern hemisphere, it is available from December through March.
When players sell the Dorado to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Great White Shark: 15,000 bells
Players can find the Great White Shark in the sea and will be able to recognize it, along with all the other sharks in the game, by its huge shadow's very apparent dorsal fin. The Great White Shark is active during summer nights from 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. In the Northern hemisphere, players can catch it between June and September. In the Southern hemisphere, it is available from December through March.
When players sell the Great White Shark to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Barreleye: 15,000 bells
The Barreleye is a rare fish players in both hemispheres can catch in the sea every month of the year. It is new to the franchise in New Horizons. Its shadow is small, and it is active from 9 p.m. until 4 a.m. daily.
When players sell the Barreleye to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Coelacanth: 15,000 bells
Players in both hemispheres can find the very rare Coelacanth any time of day or night, all year long. The catch, however, is that it is the only fish in the series that can only be caught in rainy or snowy weather. It is located in the sea and recognized by its huge shadow.
When players sell the Coelacanth to CJ, they will receive 22,500 bells.
Whale Shark: 13,000 bells
The Whale Shark returns to New Horizons from New Leaf. It is scarce and can be caught from the sea any time of the day or night. Players will recognize it by its huge shadow with a very apparent dorsal fin. In the Northern hemisphere, it appears from June through September. In the Southern hemisphere, it appears from December through March.
When players sell the Whale Shark to CJ, they can earn 19,500 bells.
Saw Shark: 12,000 bells
The Saw Shark is the last of the most valuable sharks in the game. It is fairly rare and, like the other sharks, first appears as a huge shadow with a dorsal fin. Players can catch it in the sea during summer evenings from 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. In the Northern hemisphere, it is active from June through September. In the Southern hemisphere, it is available from December through March.
When selling to CJ, players can earn 18,000 bells for the Saw Shark.
Arowana: 10,000 bells
Players can find the Arowana in the River. It is a rare, summer-season fish that is active 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. Its shadow is medium or large in size. Players in the Northern hemisphere will see this fish from June through September, while players in the Southern hemisphere will see it from December through March.
When selling to CJ, players can earn 15,000 bells for the Arowana.
Arapaima: 10,000 bells
Like the Arowana, the Arapaima is a huge River-dwelling summer fish. It is also active from 4 p.m. until 9 a.m. It is fairly rare and can be found in the Northern hemisphere from June through September and in the Southern hemisphere from December through March.
When selling to CJ, players can earn 15,000 bells for the Arapaima.
Napoleonfish: 10,000 bells
Players can find the large and rare Napoleonfish in the sea. Its shadow is huge, though that is standard for many ocean fish. The Napoleonfish is active from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. Players can only find this fish two months out of the whole year. In the Northern hemisphere, it is only available from July through August. In the Southern hemisphere, it is available from January through February.
When selling to CJ, players can earn 15,000 bells for the Napoleonfish.
Sturgeon: 10,000 bells
The Sturgeon is the only fish on this list found in the mouth of the River. It is new as of New Horizons and is fairly rare. It has a very large shadow and can appear any time of day. It also has a fairly large season, available in the Northern hemisphere from September through March and the Southern hemisphere from March through September.
When selling to CJ, players can earn 15,000 bells for the Arapaima.
Blue Marlin: 10,000 bells
The Blue Marlin is the most expensive fish that players can catch from the Pier. It is also one of only four fish that spawn there. It is active all day and all night. It is available twice a year: in the Northern hemisphere, from November through April and from July through September, and in the Southern hemisphere from January through March and from May through October.
Players can earn 15,000 bells when selling the Blue Marlin to CJ.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available for the Nintendo Switch.