How to Catch a Shark in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

While it may not be advisable to attempt this in real life, players of Animal Crossing: New Horizons can fish for a shark. You can donate a shark to the museum, sell one for Bells, or display it somewhere on your island. There are several different sharks in the game, and you'll have to be attentive to catch any of them.

How to Fish for a Shark

For the most part, catching a shark should be quite similar to catching traditional fish. However, sharks will be more elusive and challenging to nab. You need to buy or craft a fishing rod first.

Go to any edge of your island and face the ocean. Make sure that you aren't sprinting; otherwise, the sound of your footsteps may scare fish away. Sharks are far rarer than regular fish, so it may take some time to patrol the ocean around your island and find one to catch. It may help to throw out fish bait that you craft with manila clams.

As usual, you will search for the shadow outline of a fish. Look for a bigger creature with a shark fin sticking out of the water. Cast your line with the "A" button so that the bobber lands in front of the shark. The shark will lightly nibble on the bobber — when it bites and your controller vibrates more intensely, hit "A" again to reel in the shark.

Your villager will catch the shark and proudly display your catch to the camera with fanfare.

Types of Sharks in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

There are four types of sharks that you can catch in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, along with how much they would cost to sell at Nook's Cranny.

• Great White Shark – 15,000 Bells
• Saw Shark – 12,000 Bells
• Hammerhead Shark – 8,000 Bells
• Whale Shark – 13,000 Bells

When to Find Sharks

You will only be able to find sharks during certain times of the day and in certain months of the year. Additionally, their availability is according to which hemisphere in the world you are in.

Availability Times in Northern Hemisphere

You can catch sharks from June to September.

• Great White Shark – between 4 p.m. and 9 a.m
• Saw Shark – between 4 p.m and 9 p.m.
• Hammerhead Shark – between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Whale Shark – available all day

Availability Times in Southern Hemisphere

You can catch sharks from December to March.

• Great White Shark – between 4 p.m. and 9 a.m.
• Saw Shark – between 4 a.m and 9 p.m.
• Hammerhead Shark – between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Whale Shark – available all day