Catfish

The Catfish is a challenging rain-dependent fish that many players struggle to catch early on. It only appears in the river in Pelican Town or Cindersap Forest during Spring and Fall when it is raining, between 6am and midnight. This narrow availability window means you need to jump on rainy days immediately when they appear in these seasons. In the fishing mini-game, the Catfish is moderately difficult with quick, darting movements that can escape the catching bar if you are not paying attention. A Trap Bobber is highly recommended to reduce the rate at which the catch meter depletes when the fish is outside the bar. At 200g base sell price, the Catfish is a solid earner and one of the more valuable common fish. Crucially, it is required for the River Fish Bundle in the Community Center's Fish Tank, so catching one early should be a priority. The best casting spot is from the river bank south of the Museum in Pelican Town or along the forest river near Leah's cottage. Eating food that boosts fishing skill, like Trout Soup or Dish o' The Sea, can make a noticeable difference when trying to catch this fish. Since rain is required and you cannot control the weather early in the game, keep your fishing rod ready and head to the river first thing on rainy Spring or Fall mornings. Missing the Catfish in Year 1 Spring means waiting until Fall for another chance.