Not all fishing spots are created equal in Pokemon Sun and Moon. Some of these fishing holes will reward you with the rarest aquatic Pokemon available in the Alola region, but isn’t never clear which spots will reap the most rewards. To make things easier, the Pokemon Trainers at Gameranx are here to breakdown every important fishing hole — and what rare Pokemon you’ll get.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of Pokeballs when fishing. For improved results, save Lure Balls (given by Samson Oak on Blush Mountain) to increase your chances of catching Wild Pokemon while fishing. Unfortunately, these Pokeballs are not available to purchase, so use your Lure Balls wisely! Alternatively, you can use Dive Balls which increases your catch rate versus Water-type Pokemon while swimming or fishing. Those are sold for 1,000$ a pop.
Fishing Spots | Rare Aquatic Pokemon Locations
NOTE: These fishing spots are the only way to encounter rare Pokemon, but they up your chances from 1% to 10% — much better odds.
After acquiring the Fishing Rod, you can begin to fish — you can only fish if you spot a pile of rocks with bubbles under the surface of the water. You can fish from dry land in a fishing spot is close enough, or you can fish while using Lapras’ Poke Ride.
Either way, stand near a fishing spot and press [A] to throw your line. When the surface of the water ripples, quickly press [A] again to reel in your catch. Sometimes you’ll find valuable items, while other times you’ll encounter a wild Pokemon.
Below, we’ll list each Rare Pokemon and the fishing spot you’ll need to visit to catch him or her. Goodluck out there, and be prepared to encounter a lot of magikarp.
NOTE: Scan the QR Codes provided below while in-game with the QR Code scan function on the Rotom Pokedex for more help finding these Pokemon. In the summary menu, select ‘Habitat’ to see where these Pokemon live in the Alola region. Also, Pokemon will only appear at fishing spots with bubbles — reset the fishing spot by leaving / re-entering.
Barboach
- Fishing Location: Melemele Island, Seaward Cave – Enter Seaward Cave from Melemele Meadow (Enter the small hole south as you enter the yellow field of flowers) — once inside, go left to the small pond of water. Jump onto Lapras to find the single fishing spot.
- Encounter Chance: 50%
This ugly little loach Pokemon is a water / ground dual type that evolves into Whiscash at Level 30. Getting Whiscash is the main reason to catch this muddy fish, and just like it’s Animal Kingdom lookalike, Barboach likes to hang out near the shore. In this case, it’s actually inside a cave. Perfect for a ground type, right?
Shellder
- Fishing Location: Melemele Island, Kala’e Bay – Exit Seaward Cave to reach Kala’e Bay. Just as you exit the cavern, use the fishing spot north near the shore. You won’t need to use Lapras to get to this spot.
- Encounter Chance: 20%
The diminutive clam-like Pokemon is a tough water type with a strong outer shell.
The Pokemon itself is actually the black pearl inside, with the armor just an exterior bit of protection to keep this creature safe as it lounges around the undercurrents of Alola. Shellder evolves into Cloyster with a Water Stone.
Feebas
- Fishing Location: Melemele Island, Brooklet Hill – Just as you enter Brooklet Hill, go down the ramp to the bridge. Jump onto Lapras and ride south to find the fishing spot that’s only accessible from the water.
- Encounter Chance: 10%
This ugly Pokemon doesn’t look like much, but it evolves into an impressive Milotic when traded while holding a Prism Scale.
Feebas was first introduced Gen 3, and it never gets any better. The only reason to catch Feebas is to evolve into Milotic. Sad, but true.
Corsola
- Fishing Location: Melemele Island, Melemele Sea – Start from Hau’oli City beach and use Lapras to swim southeast to a cave entrance blocked by boulders that only Sharpedo can break. To the left of the cave entrance, there’s a fishing hole with Corsola.
- Encounter Chance: 20%
The pink coral Pokemon is a water / rock dual type, and can be found in the Melemele Sea south from Hau’oli City.
This friendly looking Pokemon isn’t exactly a standout, and it does not evolve into any new forms, but it’s still a good addition to any Pokedex. Who doesn’t love that smiling face! To easily reset the spot, just use Sharpedo to bust into the nearby Ten Karat Hill cave.
Mareanie
- Fishing Location: Melemele Island, Melemele Sea – Same spot as Corsola. Typically, Corsola will summon Mareanie when it calls for SOS help.
- Encounter Chance: N/A
The water / poison Pokemon is a cruel little creature with ten toxic tentacles. The Pokemon hunts its prey on beaches and seafloors, particularly enjoying the taste of Corsola. It evolves into Toxapex and gets even deadlier.
Chinchou
- Fishing Location: Akala Island, Akala Outskirts – Find the pair of fishing spots on the east coast of the Akala Outskirts area, near a single fisherman. Go to the more northern of the two fishing spots to get this Pokemon.
- Encounter Chance: 20%
The glowing water / electric duel type Pokemon was introduced in Generation 2 and comes equipped with hanging lantern-like protuberances.
It almost resembles a cute angler fish. Chinchou evolves into Lanturn at Level 27 and loves nothing more than lurking at the bottom of the sea, waiting to catch its prey.
Wishiwashi
- Fishing Location: Akala Island, Akala Outskirts – Same fishing spot at Chinchou.
- Encounter Chance: 30%
Another not-so-rare selection, but if you’re looking to unlock this school of fish for your Rotom Pokedex, the odds are pretty good at the Akala Outskirts fishing location. Wishiwashi is a tiny water type that doesn’t look too impressive — until it unlocks the Schooling ability at Level 20.
In School Form, Wishiwashi joins up with a horde, turning the swarm into one giant fish school body. It looks much more intimidating and changes the look of the Pokemon while in its new body. That feature alone makes it worth collecting. Wishiwashi does not evolve.
Bruxish
- Fishing Location: Ula’ula Island, Route 13 – Enter the trailer park from Tapu Village and run down the path south from the oasis in the center. Down on the coast, travel right from the old man, and right of the Trainer Tips sign, to spot the fishing location.
- Encounter Chance: 20%
The colorful Bruxish is a Psychic / Water dual type, with its garrish scales (kinda creepy) full fish-lips, it isn’t exactly the coolest Pokemon in the sea.
Still, if you’re looking to add the teeth-grinding Pokemon to you collection, Route 13 is the place to explore. Not the rarest Pokemon, it can also be found on the Secluded Shore, or on Route 14 and Route 15.
Dhelmise
- Fishing Location: Poni Island, Seafolk Village – Enter the Steelix houseboat and go through the lower door to the “porch / balcony” exterior with a view of a single fishing spot.
- Encounter Chance: 10%
This Sea Creeper Pokemon is a Grass / Ghost type with a creepy visage, resembling a sunken pirate ship’s wheel mixed with an anchor.
It’s the seaweed that forms Dhelmise’s true body, and this rare Pokemon won’t show itself to just any trainer. You’ll have to coax it from it’s hiding spot in Seafolk Village. Dhelmise is a Gen 7 exclusive, and does not evolve.
Lapras
- Fishing Location: Poni Island, Poni Wilds – In the water to the left of the beach. This isn’t a fishing location, but you will encounter Lapras while swimming in the water.
- Encounter Chance: 5%
One of our favorite Pokemon from Gen 1 can be caught in the Alola Region. Explore the waters west of the Seafolk Village for a small chance to encounter Lapras, the transportation Pokemon. It is an Ice / Water dual type.
Lapras is most well known for its Swim HM ability, helping trainers cross water with ease. Lapras can still transport trainers thanks to the Poke Ride system. It’s a worthy addition to the collection. Lapras does not evolve.
Relicanth
- Fishing Location: Poni Island, Poni Wilds – On the beach, find the final trainer (the Dancer) and walk directly left. Ride Lapras to the first fishing spot directly left (and slightly below) that trainer.
- Encounter Chance: 10%
The ancient Water / Rock Pokemon is a stone-like fish that lives at the bottom of the ocean, its strong scales able to withstand the pressures of the deep sea.
Appearing since Gen 3, this tough Pokemon can keep you in the fight and doesn’t give up easily. It’s called the longevity Pokemon for a reason. It does not evolve into any other Pokemon.
Sharpedo
- Fishing Location: Poni Island, Poni Breaker Coast – Found just south of the entrance to the Ruins of Hope.
- Encounter Chance: 10%
Sharpedo might not be the rarest Pokemon, but it can be acquired from a very specific fishing spot next to the Ruins of Hope.
This bite-happy shark Pokemon is fast enough to bust through boulders. This Brutal / Dark dual type evolves from Carvanha at Level 30, and has a Mega Form when equipped with Sharpedonite.
BONUS: To get Carvanha (without using Wonder Trade) — breed Sharpedo.
Dratini
- Fishing Location: Poni Island, Poni Meadow – In the lonely fishing spot in the water straight ahead after entering Poni Meadow from Poni Plains. There’s only one fishing spot to use.
- Encounter Chance: 10%
Dratini, the first form of Dragonair and Dragonite is a Dragon type Pokemon (duh) introduced in Gen 1. It is also a ‘Pseudo-Legendary’ Pokemon.
That means Dragonite isn’t a legit legendary, but it is a powerful Pokemon that grows in strength fast. Apparently, Dratini prefers to live near waterfalls and ponds, so Poni Meadow is the best place for it.
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