May Fish List with Availability & Sell Prices
There are 44 fish creatures available to catch in May for the Northern Hemisphere in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, or 37 fish for the Southern Hemisphere!
Use our interactive grid or table containing highlighting every fish you can catch in May including when you can catch them, where to find them, shadow sizes, sell prices, and how rare they are. Both Northern & Southern Hemisphere are supported.
In addition to the full May list, select the New in May and Leaving in June toggles to automatically filter accordingly for the latest arriving fish or upcoming leaving fish to catch.
TIME
LOCATION
SHADOW
RARITY
DISPLAY
| Name | Price | Location | Shadow | Availability | Rarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bitterling | 900  | River |  | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Pale Chub | 200 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Crucian Carp | 160 | River |  | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Dace | 240 | River |  | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Carp | 300 | Pond |  | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Koi | 4,000 | Pond | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Goldfish | 1,300 | Pond | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Pop-Eyed Goldfish | 1,300 | Pond | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Ranchu Goldfish | 4,500 | Pond | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Killifish | 300 | Pond | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Crawfish | 200 | Pond | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Soft-Shelled Turtle | 3,750 | River | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Snapping Turtle | 5,000 | River | | 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Tadpole | 100 | Pond | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Frog | 120 | Pond | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Freshwater Goby | 400 | River | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Loach | 400 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Catfish | 800 | Pond | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Giant Snakehead | 5,500 | Pond | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Bluegill | 180 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Yellow Perch | 300 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Black Bass | 400 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Tilapia | 800 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Pike | 1,800 | River |  | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Pond Smelt | 400 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Sweetfish | 900 | River | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Cherry Salmon | 1,000 | River (Clifftop) | | 4 PM - 9 AMAll Day JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Char | 3,800 | River (Clifftop) | | 4 PM - 9 AMAll Day JFMAMJJASOND JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Golden Trout | 15,000 | River (Clifftop) | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Stringfish | 15,000 | River (Clifftop) | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Salmon | 700 | River (Mouth) | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 King Salmon | 1,800 | River (Mouth) | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Mitten Crab | 2,000 | River | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Guppy | 1,300 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Nibble Fish | 1,500 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Angelfish | 3,000 | River | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Betta | 2,500 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Neon Tetra | 500 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Rainbowfish | 800 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Piranha | 2,500 | River | | 9 AM - 4 PM, 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND 9 AM - 4 PM, 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Arowana | 10,000 | River | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Dorado | 15,000 | River | | 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Gar | 6,000 | Pond | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Arapaima | 10,000 | River |  | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Saddled Bichir | 4,000 | River | | 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Sturgeon | 10,000 | River (Mouth) | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Sea Butterfly | 1,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Sea Horse | 1,100 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Clown Fish | 650 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Surgeonfish | 1,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Butterfly Fish | 1,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Napoleonfish | 10,000 | Sea | | 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Zebra Turkeyfish | 500 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Blowfish | 5,000 | Sea | | 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Puffer Fish | 250 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Anchovy | 200 | Sea | | 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Horse Mackerel | 150 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Barred Knifejaw | 5,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Sea Bass | 400 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Red Snapper | 3,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Dab | 300 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Olive Flounder | 800 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Squid | 500 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Moray Eel | 2,000 | Sea |  | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Ribbon Eel | 600 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Tuna | 7,000 | Pier | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Blue Marlin | 10,000 | Pier | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Giant Trevally | 4,500 | Pier | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Mahi-Mahi | 6,000 | Pier | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Ocean Sunfish | 4,000 | Sea |  | 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Ray | 3,000 | Sea | | 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND 4 AM - 9 PM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Saw Shark | 12,000 | Sea | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Hammerhead Shark | 8,000 | Sea | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Great White Shark | 15,000 | Sea | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Whale Shark | 13,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Suckerfish | 1,500 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★☆ |
 Football Fish | 2,500 | Sea | | 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND 4 PM - 9 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★☆☆ |
 Oarfish | 9,000 | Sea | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Barreleye | 15,000 | Sea | | 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND 9 PM - 4 AM JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
 Coelacanth | 15,000 | Sea (Rain) | | All Day JFMAMJJASOND All Day JFMAMJJASOND | ★★★ |
Bugs
Notable New Fish in May (NH)
Two notable and rare fish found exclusively at your island’s Pier have arrived in May — the Giant Trevally and Mahi-Mahi! These are making their debut for the first time since last fall.
Along the same lines, the Angelfish, Betta, Rainbowfish, and Nibblefish are all new in the river since autumn as well.
Finally, be sure not to forget about Ponds as the Frog and Catfish are newly available.
Notable Fish Leaving in June (NH)
The most important fish to check for before it leaves in June is the Oarfish, which won’t return for 6 months until December!
Besides that, the very rare Golden Trout only found on clifftop Rivers is leaving too, but it will return in just a few short months when summer is over.
Notable New Fish in May (SH)
The most notable new Southern Hemisphere fish arriving in May is the Tuna found exclusively at your island’s Pier for the first time since last October. The Blue Marlin is technically ‘new’ in the same spot, but only briefly disappeared for a single month in April, so you probably have one already.
Look out for the Blowfish and Football Fish in the ocean this month as well seen for the first time since last fall!
Notable Fish Leaving in June (SH)
While neither are super rare, the Ray in the ocean and Mitten Crab in the river are the most important to secure before May ends in the Southern Hemisphere as both won’t return for at least 8 months!
In terms of rarity, the trio of Char, Golden Trout, and Cherry Salmon all found in clifftop Rivers should be on your radar leaving when June begins — but they’ll be back not longer after in September.
Tips & Tricks for Catching Fish
Different fish appear on your Animal Crossing island depending on the month, time of day, and specific location. If you’re looking to catch a very specific fish, pay close attention to the indicated shadow size to help you guess before casting your rod if it’s your target fish. Use the run button to scare away undesirable fish to be respawned when you walk away and come back.
You can use the visual indicator of fish biting your rod, the strong rumble feeling from your controller, or even just the sound of the strong bite to time your catches. Sometimes, closing your eyes and simply just using the rumble or sound can work better than looking as the bites can trick you!
Each technique for different people, so try them all to see what works best for you. Generally speaking though, the more rare and valuable fish have a higher ‘difficulty’ that require a faster reaction time to successfully catch them.
Finally, it should be noted that fish can only ‘bite’ up to four times before the final bite, or five bites in total. You can have confidence in the next bite being the one to press A after four fake bites! Most commonly, you’ll find fish biting on the third attempt.
Fish Locations
Most fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are found in broad locations of the river, the ocean sea, or small ponds. However, a small selection of fish are only in special locations defined more narrowly.
Pier Fish
Pier fish, including the rare Blue Marlin, can only be found in the ocean area directly surrounding an island’s Pier. This boardwalk extending from either the lower left or right side of your island is where the Resort Hotel and Kapp’n can be found, but is otherwise empty early on.
River Mouth Fish
River mouth fish, including the elusive Sturgeon, can only be found in the area of your river where it connects into the ocean. In other words, it’s the area of water between your actual river on the mainland and the opening on your beach to the sea. You’ll typically find these fish right around the rocks and where the water colours merge together.
River Clifftop Fish
River clifftop fish, including the expensive Stringfish, can only be found in the river on your island’s upper 2nd and 3rd terrain levels. A pond without flowing water towards another level does not count.
Using Fish Bait
A great way to speed up finding rare fish, especially in tricky locations like the pier, river mouth, and river clifftops is to craft and use Fish Bait. Use it to repeatedly spawn new fish to appear in front of you in these spots!
The Fish Bait DIY recipe can be unlocked by digging up a manila clam on your island’s beaches with a shovel — look out for a small shadow with water squirting out. And new in Version 3.0, you can now craft up to 10 Fish Bait at a time with bulk crafting added in the update.
Fish Spawn Requirements
Some fish in Animal Crossing: New Horizons have spawn requirements that prevent them from appearing until you’ve caught enough. The most notable are these five rarest fish that require you to have caught at least 100 fish in total to unlock them:
- Golden Trout
- Stringfish
- Dorado
- Barreleye
- Coelacanth
We’ve omitted these numbers from the list to save space, but it is worth keeping in mind if it’s your very first few hours catching fish.
Unlock Golden Fishing Rod DIY Recipe
When you have caught and recorded all 80 different fish in your NookPhone’s Critterpedia, the Faraway Museum will mail you a DIY recipe for the Golden Rod, requiring a Fishing Rod and 1 Gold Nugget to craft. While it does last about three times as long as non-golden tools, the Golden Rod is still not invincible to breaking.
Note that this is seperate from actually donating fish to your island’s Museum — you can still get the golden fishing rod without donations.
Save Fish for Models or Extra Bells from C.J.
Besides donating fish to Museum or selling at Nook’s Cranny, you might want to save them up for the next time C.J. visits your island!
When C.J. is visiting, after completing a challenge, you can get exclusive Fish Models from him by trading in three of the same fish. You can also use C.J. to maximize your fishing profits as he’ll buy fish from you for an extra 50% more Bells than Timmy & Tommy at Nook’s Cranny do.