Fishing

Basic Information

To start off, purchase a fishing rod from Tom Nook's shop for 500 bells. For starters, Fishes in this game appears as black silhouettes inside bodies of water in town. When you see a fish moving, walk near it and don't run as it will scare it away. Use the stylus or press A to cast line and the lure will automatically direct a location on the water. This lure will move on the water depending on the direction of the current. It is best to make sure that the fish will be able to see your lure. After a few moments the fish will start biting your bait, now you have to wait until the lure goes underneath the waters and a slight sound happens, then touch the Touch Screen once or press A. Due to the sound, it is best advised to anticipate the sound itself, not the animation.

Rainy and snowy days are the best times to fish since the Fishes come out in the open more during this weather. Contrary to popular belief, accessories do not affect the outcome of fishing.

Sometimes, you will catch trash instead of fish. If this happens, simply sell off the unwanted garbage to save valuable inventory space.

After collecting all the fish in the game, you will receive the Golden Rod as a prize, a special items that halves reeling time.

After Catching

After making a catch, you are given the choice to sell off or donate the fish. Most players donate the first new kind of fish that they have caught as it will count towards completion, then sell off the later catch. Most Fishes are more expensive than Bugs so it is a more lucrative option to have.

Fishes donated in The Museum can be viewed from different angles by pressing the X button. Also, any fishes in your inventory will provide you an option to "show it off". This will make you hold the fish so you and some villagers can see it. Your neighbors will cheer and applause you for this. Other options to do after catching is to give the fish to other villagers, display it in you home or keep it as a pet.

Press Y to open up the menu and choose the fish symbol to pull up the fish menu. This stores all the valuable information about Fishes you have caught.