How to Fish in Stardew Valley: Complete Guide
Find every fish in the game.
Learn how to fish in Stardew Valley with this guide. Check out the best fishing spots, tips to catch rare fish, and how to level up your fishing skill fast.
Fishing in Stardew Valley might seem tough at first, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes one of the most rewarding (and profitable) skills in the game. Whether you're angling for Community Center bundles, stocking up your farm's Fish Pond, or just trying to reel in a legendary catch, fishing opens up a world of unique items, gold, and gameplay depth.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to master fishing—from getting your first rod to leveling up fast, finding seasonal hotspots, and deciding what to do with every fish you catch.
What You Need to Start Fishing
Before you can reel in your first catch, you’ll need the right tools and a basic understanding of how fishing works in Stardew Valley. Here’s everything you need to get started:
Fishing Rods
When it comes to fishing rods, there are a few options.
Bamboo Pole: The first (and most basic) pole you’ll get for free after you receive a letter on Day 2 to visit him at the beach. This pole doesn’t require bait or tackle, and it’s perfect for beginner players.
Fiberglass Rod: After reaching fishing level 2, you’ll unlock the fiberglass rod, which you can purchase through Willy’s shop on the pier. This pole allows you to use bait, speeding up bite times.
Iridium Rod: Once you reach fishing level 6, you unlock the iridium rod, also available for purchase at Willy’s shop. This pole enables the use of both bait and tackle, making it easier to catch tougher fish.
Tip: Upgrade your rod as soon as you hit the required fishing level; it makes a big difference in your catch rate.
Bait and Tackle
Bait: This speeds up the rate at which fish take bites and can be crafted, bought, or found in treasure chests. You can use bait with both fiberglass and iridium fishing rods.
Tackle: Adds special effects, like slowing fish movement or boosting bar size. Tackle is only compatible with the iridium rod, and can be crafted or bought from Willy at his store.
There are specific types of tackle, each with its own special bonuses:
Tackle Type | Effect |
|---|---|
Spinner | Increases bite rate |
Trap Bobber | Slows how quickly fish escape |
Cork Bobber | Increases the size of your green bar |
Treasure Hunter | Makes it easier to get treasure chests |
Optional Items
Inventory Space: Fishing fills your backpack quickly, especially with different fish types, trash items, and treasure. Upgrade your backpack early to avoid running out of space.
Energy and Food: Fishing uses energy. Bring food to restore energy and boost your fishing skill (e.g., Dish o’ the Sea, Chowder).
Trash Can Upgrades: Later in the game, you can recycle junk items you catch, so don’t toss them all away!
How Fishing Works
Fishing in Stardew Valley can feel tricky at first, but once you understand the mechanics, it becomes a rewarding and profitable skill. Here’s how it works:
1. Equip Your Rod: Select your fishing rod from your toolbar and stand near a body of water—like the ocean, river, or mountain lake.
2. Cast Your Line:
Press and hold the action button (left-click, A, or X, depending on your platform).
A casting meter will fill — release to cast.
The longer you hold, the farther your line goes.
The longer you hold, the farther your line goes.
3. Wait for a Bite:
When a “!” appears, you’ll hear a distinct “plop” sound when a fish bites.
Quickly press the action button again to hook it.
Timing matters! If you’re too slow to react, the fish gets away.
4. Play the Fishing Minigame: This is the trickiest part for most beginners
A vertical bar appears with a fish icon that moves up and down.
You control a green “catching” bar by pressing or holding the action button.
The goal is to keep the green bar behind the fish icon until the catch meter on the right fills up.
Minigame Tips
Tap lightly for small movements; hold to rise quickly.
Let go to let the bar fall.
Fish types move differently; some are smooth and slow, others dart around.
As you level up and use better gear, this minigame gets much easier.
5. Catch or Lose the Fish
If the catch meter fills up completely while you’re on the fish, congrats, you caught it!
If the fish icon escapes the green bar too often, the catch meter depletes, and the fish gets away.
Pro Tip: Use tackle like the Trap Bobber to make fish escape slower—it’s a game-changer for trickier catches.
6. Check Your Catch
After a successful catch, you’ll see the fish’s name, size, and quality (normal, silver, gold, or iridium star).
Rarely, you might also hook treasure chests during the minigame. Keep the green bar over the treasure to unlock bonus items!
Now you know how the fishing minigame works, but check out what you can potentially catch:
Treasure Chests: Bonus Loot While Fishing
Sometimes during the minigame, a small treasure chest icon appears.
How to Get It: Move your green bar over the chest and keep it there until its own meter fills.
Important: You must still catch the fish for the treasure to count; if the fish escapes, you lose the chest.
Rewards May Include: Bait & tackle, ore & geodes, artifacts, or rare loot like lost books or treasure maps.
Pro Tip: Equip the Treasure Hunter tackle to increase your chances of finding treasure!
Perfect Catches: Maximize Your Rewards
A Perfect Catch happens when the fish stays inside your green bar for the entire minigame.
Here are the benefits:
Higher chance of silver/gold/iridium quality fish
Bonus XP for fishing skill
Looks cool
Aim for perfect catches once you're confident with fish patterns — it pays off.
Fish Behavior Patterns (Know Your Opponent)
Different fish move in different ways during the minigame. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Pattern | Behavior Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Smooth | Slow, predictable, easy to follow | Carp, Sunfish |
Mixed | Varies between slow and quick jerks | Pike, Red Snapper |
Darting | Rapid, erratic up-and-down movements | Catfish, Lingcod |
Floater | Tends to hang near the top or bottom | Ghostfish, Flounder |
Sinker | Drops fast and stays low | Lava Eel, Ice Pip |
Legendary | Extremely fast, unpredictable, and often erratic | Legend, Glacierfish, etc. |
Tip: Practice on smooth fish before going after darting or legendary types.
Best Fishing Spots by Season
Fish availability changes with the seasons in Stardew Valley, so knowing where and when to cast your line can make all the difference. Below are the top fishing spots for each season, along with the valuable fish you can catch there.
Spring
Best Spots:
Mountain Lake (north of the Carpenter’s Shop)
Calm waters, easier fish
Great for leveling up early on
River in Town or Forest
Greater fish variety, but slightly harder to catch
Notable Spring Fish:
Fish | Location | Weather | Time | Value Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunfish | River (Town) | Sunny | 6am - 7pm | Easy and frequent |
Catfish | River (Forest) | Rainy | 6am - 12am | Tricky, but high value |
Smallmouth Bass | River/Lake | Any | All day | Easy and useful for bundles |
Legend | Mountain Lake | Rainy | All day | Only at fishing level 10! |
Summer
Best Spots:
Ocean (at the Beach)
Huge variety of fish
Bubbles often appear near the docks
Secret Woods Pond (if unlocked with Steel Axe)
Great for rare fish like Woodskip
Notable Summer Fish:
Fish | Location | Weather | Time | Value Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tilapia | Ocean | Any | 6am - 2pm | Easy, decent sell price |
Tuna | Ocean | Any | 6am - 7pm | Needed for bundles |
Pufferfish | Ocean | Sunny | 12pm - 4pm | Hard to catch, high value |
Dorado | Forest River | Any | 6am - 7pm | Aggressive, good profit |
Fall
Best Spots:
River in Cindersap Forest
High-value fish, good challenge
Witch’s Swamp (if unlocked)
Rare and exotic fish
Notable Fall Fish:
Fish | Location | Weather | Time | Value Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Salmon | River (Town) | Any | 6am - 7pm | Great for energy and profit |
Tiger Trout | River (Forest) | Any | 6am - 7pm | Required for bundles |
Walleye | River/Lake | Rainy | 12pm - 2am | Night fishing essential |
Void Salmon | Witch’s Swamp | Any | All day | Needed for Missing Bundle |
Pro Tip: Check the TV for rain forecasts – Walleye only shows up on rainy fall nights.
Winter
Best Spots:
Mountain Lake
Still has active fish even in the snow
Night Market Submarine (Winter 15–17)
Exclusive deep-sea fish
Notable Winter Fish:
Fish | Location | Weather | Time | Value Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Perch | River/Lake | Any | All day | Common but good XP filler |
Sturgeon | Mountain Lake | Any | 6am - 7pm | Used for Fish Pond caviar |
Blobfish | Night Market | Any | Submarine Only | Rare, high sell price |
Spook Fish | Night Market | Any | Submarine Only | Great for treasure loot chance |
Pro Tip: Save up for the Night Market – rare fish like Blobfish and Spook Fish are only available there and fetch top gold.
How to Level Up Fishing Fast
Leveling up your Fishing skill makes catching fish easier, unlocks better gear, and increases your chance at rare fish and treasure. Here’s how to speed up your progress:
1. Fish in Easy Locations First
Start with areas where fish are less erratic, so you can catch more consistently and gain XP quickly.
Best Beginner Spot: Mountain Lake
Calmer fish (like Carp and Chub)
Higher catch rate = faster XP
Avoid the Ocean early on – many fish there dart around and are tough to catch at lower fishing levels.
2. Fish All Day (and Night)
The more fish you catch, the faster you level. Use full in-game days to rack up catches.
Start early – 6:00 AM – and fish until your energy or time runs out.
Night fishing (after 7PM) unlocks different fish like Eel and Walleye for variety and bundle completion.
Bring food to restore energy! Salmonberries, Field Snacks, or foraged items help you keep casting longer.
3. Upgrade Your Gear ASAP
Better rods = better control + more features.
Fiberglass Rod (Level 2 Fishing, 1,800g): Lets you use bait to speed up bites.
Iridium Rod (Level 6 Fishing, 7,500g): Supports bait and tackle, which makes the minigame easier.
Use Bait and Tackle:
Bait reduces bite time
Trap bobber slows fish escape
Cork Bobber makes the green bar bigger
4. Use Crab Pots for Passive XP
At Fishing Level 3, you can craft Crab Pots or buy them at Willy’s shop.
Place them in water, bait them, and check daily.
Each collected item gives XP, and they work rain or shine.
Great way to farm Fishing XP without active play.
Pro Tip: Toss common crab pot finds (like Lobster and Clam) into Fish Ponds or sell for quick profit.
5. Eat Skill-Boosting Foods
Some foods give a temporary Fishing level boost, making catches easier and helping you catch higher-level fish sooner.
Food | Bonus | How to Get |
|---|---|---|
Trout Soup | +1 Fishing | Buy from Willy (250g) |
Dish o' the Sea | +3 Fishing | Cook (Level 3) or get from quests |
Seafoam Pudding | +4 Fishing | Late-game, hard to acquire |
Tip: Use Dish o' the Sea during tough legendary fish attempts or festivals.
Bonus: Fish During Festivals
The Fishing Contest during the Ice Festival (Winter 8) offers fun practice and a chance to win prizes like the Barbed Hook or Dressed Spinner.
Great opportunity to test your skills without losing energy or time in the day.
Fishing Tips for All Skill Levels
Beginner:
Practice at the Mountain Lake
Focus on quantity, not quality
Use bait as soon as it’s available
Intermediate:
Learn fish patterns (darting, smooth)
Upgrade to Fiberglass Rod
Save silver/gold quality fish for bundles or profit
Expert:
Target Legendary fish with Iridium Rod + tackle
Use fishing buffs and time your fishing runs
Combine crab pots, festivals, and seasonal events for efficiency
Pro Tip: Use the Pirate or Angler profession from the Fishing skill tree depending on your goal – more treasure chests vs. more gold per fish.
Fishing Rewards & Community Uses
Fishing isn’t just a money-making skill in Stardew Valley—it's also key to progressing in the game, building relationships, and unlocking rare items. Here’s what to do with all those fish you’ve been catching:
1. Sell for Gold (Especially Gold- & Iridium-Quality)
Fish are a reliable source of income, especially as your Fishing level increases and you unlock better quality catches.
Quality | Description | Sell Tip |
|---|---|---|
Normal | Base price | Common early-game income |
Gold | 1.25x base price | Higher XP catch rate = more gold |
Iridium | 1.5x base price | Use for high profits or gifting |
Pro Tip: Level 10 fishers with the Angler profession can earn up to 50% more per fish sold!
2. Complete Community Center Bundles
Fishing is essential for finishing multiple bundles in the Community Center. Completing these unlocks:
The Glittering Boulder removal (lets you pan for ore)
Rare items (like Crab Pots, Bait, and Dish o' the Sea)
Access to unique cutscenes and rewards
Tip: Keep at least one of each fish in a chest until all bundles are complete – don’t sell everything!
3. Use Fish Ponds on Your Farm
Once you’ve built a Fish Pond (unlocked after unlocking Robin’s shop upgrades), you can raise fish on your farm and harvest valuable resources.
Fish Type | Pond Product |
|---|---|
Stugeon | Roe → Aged into valuable Caviar |
Lava Eel | Roe, Ore, and sometimes Spicy Eel |
Super Cucumber | Roe, Iridium Ore, and Essence |
Rainbow Trout | Prismatic Shard (rare chance!) |
Pro Tip: Fish Ponds with rarer species can produce rare items daily – set it and forget it!
4. Gift to Villagers (Carefully)
Some villagers love fish – others hate the smell. Here’s a quick guide:
Great Gifts | Avoid Giving To |
|---|---|
Linus (likes most fish) | Haley, Evelyn, Penny |
Willy (loves Catfish, Sturgeon) | |
Demetrius (likes rare fish) |
Pro Tip: Gifting villagers their favorite fish boosts friendship points fast – check birthdays to double the effect.
5. Crafting & Cooking Recipes
Fish are key ingredients in energy-restoring dishes and crafting items.
Useful Recipes:
Dish o’ the Sea (+3 Fishing): Sardine + Hashbrowns
Maki Roll (Loved gift for many): Any fish + Seaweed + Rice
Quality Fertilizer: 1 Fish + 2 Sap
Save small, low-value fish like Herring or Carp for recipes instead of selling them!
Cast with Confidence
Fishing in Stardew Valley blends patience, timing, and strategy — and once you’ve got the basics down, it becomes second nature. Whether you're completing bundles, chasing legendary fish, or farming Roe for artisan goods, each cast brings a chance to earn more gold and unlock new gameplay paths.
So grab your rod, pack a Trout Soup, and head to your favorite fishing spot. With the right approach, you’ll be hauling in treasure chests and top-tier catches in no time.
Caught a legendary fish? Make it a moment.
Use Moments GG to clip, save, and share your best Stardew Valley catches — from perfect casts to epic treasure chests.
Fishing in Stardew Valley: FAQs
What’s the easiest way to start fishing in Stardew Valley?
The easiest way is to accept Willy’s invitation in Spring 2, then visit the beach to receive your first fishing rod. Start fishing in calm areas like the Mountain Lake for slower, easier fish like Carp and Chub.
The easiest way is to accept Willy’s invitation in Spring 2, then visit the beach to receive your first fishing rod. Start fishing in calm areas like the Mountain Lake for slower, easier fish like Carp and Chub.
How do I make fishing easier in Stardew Valley?
Level up your Fishing skill by catching fish, using Crab Pots, and eating skill-boosting food like Dish o’ the Sea. Upgrading to the Iridium Rod and using tackle (like the Trap Bobber) makes catching harder fish much easier.
What fish should I sell vs. keep?
Sell: High-value fish like Lava Eel, Ice Pip, and Super Cucumber
Keep: Bundle fish, favorite gifts (like Catfish for Willy), and rare pond fish like Sturgeon or Blobfish
Save for Recipes: Cheap fish like Carp, Herring, and Sardines
What’s the best use of fish in Stardew Valley?
Fishing rewards go beyond gold. Use fish for:
Community Center bundles
Crafting (Quality Fertilizer)
Cooking (Maki Roll, Sashimi)
Fish Ponds (for Roe and rare items)
Gifting (especially to Linus, Willy, and Demetrius)
What are the legendary fish, and when can I catch them?
There are five legendary fish in the base game, each only catchable once per save file. They require high Fishing levels and specific seasons/conditions:
Legend: Spring, Mountain Lake, rainy day, Level 10
Crimsonfish: Summer, East Beach, Level 5+
Angler: Fall, River north of JojaMart, Level 3+
Glacierfish: Winter, Arrowhead Island, Level 6+
Mutant Carp: All seasons, Sewers, no level requirement
Wordsmith at SteelSeries. Enthusiastic about Dota 2 and fighting games. A cat dad.
