Instructions
Purchase a fishing rod from Tom Nook's store, located at the top right-hand corner of the map. Tom Nook's selection is random and changes every day, so if he does not offer the fishing rod you will need to wait a day in real time and come back.
Fish at a variety of different locations, such as the beach, the river and the lake.
Fish at different times of the day such as morning, noon and night. "Animal Crossing" uses real-world time, so if you want to fish at night, for example, play the game at night.
Fish at your locations in different weather or seasons, such as when it is raining or snowing. Different fish appear in different elements.
Talk to the mayor at the mayor's house when you have caught all 40 kinds of fish in "Animal Crossing." He will reward you with the golden fishing rod.