How to fish in Stardew Valley: Seasonal & legendary fish, rod guide, more
ConcernedApeCatching fish is one of the quickest ways to make money in Stardew Valley. Fishing is a crucial skill you need to learn if you want your farm to thrive in the game.
Activities like mining and fishing are extremely important in Stardew Valley, especially if you’ve taken the Community Center route and need to complete the bundles.
Catching fish is one of the most popular features in the life-simulation title as it’s highly addicting and also makes a good chunk of cash fairly swiftly. Here’s everything you need to know, from how to throw a line to the rarest water-dwelling creatures in the game.
Contents
How to fish in Stardew Valley
First thing’s first: to fish in Stardew Valley, you’re going to need a rod. Head to the beach and then speak to Willy on the pier. He’ll tell you that it’s important to him to carry on the skill into the next generation and gift you the Bamboo Pole.
To start fishing, you need to equip the rod, stand by a body of water and press the Use Tool button (square on PlayStation, X on Xbox, Y on Nintendo Switch, left mouse button on PC).
How to cast your line
When first throwing the line out, a meter will show up by your character’s hand: this determines how far it’ll go across the water, with red being close and green further away. In most cases, you’ll want it to go as far as possible.
Once a fish has bitten, an alert sound will play and “HIT!” appears on-screen. Quickly press the Use Tool button again to hook it and initiate the catching mini-game.
Fishing mini-game
When throwing your line, you’ll notice a moving green bar with a fish inside appear in the middle of the screen. The aim is to keep the fish inside the green section at all times until the progress bar fills up and it’s caught. If it swims out of the area, the bar decreases and if it drains completely, you lose.
To move the bar, you can either tap the Use Tool button or hold it: tapping keeps it in place while holding raises it upwards quickly. Different types of fish have different movement patterns, so stay on your toes. The mini-game can take a few tries to get used to – don’t get discouraged!
How to get a perfect catch
To get a perfect catch when fishing in Stardew Valley, you need to make sure the fish doesn’t leave the green bar at all when reeling it in. If it goes outside the box for even a split second, it’s impossible to achieve one.
If successful, you’ll get a higher quality fish as well as increased experience points towards your Fishing Level, so it’s worth trying to get the best catch, especially when you’re at a lower level.
Types of fishing rod in Stardew Valley
There are four types of rods in the game, each with its own improvements. All of them can be bought from Willy’s Fish Shop, though you’ll need to reach a certain Fishing Level to use the better ones. You can also buy a Crab Pot that catches shells and crustaceans overnight.
Type of fishing rod | Improvements | Fishing Level requirement |
Training Rod |
Easier to use than other rods | None, but only catches common fish |
Bamboo Pole |
None | None |
Fiberglass Rod |
Can use bait | Fishing Level 2 |
Iridium Rod |
Can use bait and tackle | Fishing Level 6 |
Crab Pot |
None | Fishing Level 3 |
Types of bait
Bait is used in Stardew Valley to catch the highest-quality fish. The Fiberglass and Iridium poles can both hold bait, which is used to attract fish quickly. Some baits have additional benefits, too.
Type of bait | Additional benefit | Price | Recipe |
Bait |
Causes fish to bite faster and reduces the delay before a bite by 50%. | 5g | Can be crafted at Level 2: 1x Bug Meat |
Magnet |
Increases the chances of finding treasure by 15%. Does not affect the bite rate for fish. | 1,000g | Can be crafted at Level 9: 1x Iron Bar |
Wild Bait |
Craftable bait that enables the user to catch two fish at once. |
N/A |
10x Fiber, 5x Slime, 5x Bug Meat |
Magic Bait |
Magic-enhanced bait enables players to catch fish from any season no matter the weather condition or water type. | 5 Gems | 1x Radioactive Ore, 3x Bug Meat |
Deluxe Bait |
Increases the size of the fishing bar and causes the fish to bite faster. | 100g | x5 Bug Meat x2 Moss |
Types of tackle
Like bait, the tackle is attached to the Iridium Rod. It also makes fish easier to catch, and each type has its own additional benefit. They last for 20 uses before breaking.
Type of tackle | Additional benefit | Price | Recipe |
Spinner |
Reduces delay before a fish bite | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 500G | 2x Iron Bar |
Dressed Spinner |
Further reduces delay before a fish bite | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 1,000G | 2x Iron Bar, 1x Cloth |
Trap Bobber |
Fish escape slower when not reeling | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 500G | 1x Copper Bar, 10x Sap |
Cork Bobber |
Increases the size of the fishing bar | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 750G | 10x Wood, 5x Hardwood, 10x Slime |
Lead Bobber |
Stops the fishing bar from bouncing when it hits the bottom | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 200G | N/A |
Treasure Hunter |
Increases treasure chance and stops fish escaping when there’s treasure | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 750G | 2x Gold Bar |
Barbed Hook |
Makes the fishing bar stick to the fish | Purchased from Willy’s Fish Shop for 1,000G | 1x Copper Bar, 1x Iron Bar, 1x Gold Bar |
Curiosity Lure |
Increases rare fish chance | Random drop in the Quarry Mine, Skull Cavern, Volcano Dungeon | N/A |
Quality Bobber |
Increases fish quality |
N/A |
1x Copper Bar, 20x Sap, 5x Solar Essence |
Where to fish in Stardew Valley
You can fish in 14 locations in Stardew Valley. Some creatures only show up in certain places so it’s important to know where each fishing spot is if you’re wanting to complete your Collections menu.
Fishing location | Best fishing spot |
Pelican Town |
Anywhere along the river that runs in the south part of town |
Beach |
On the pier |
Cindersap Forest |
The pond in the middle of the forest |
Mountain |
The lake outside of the Mines |
The Mines |
Floors 20, 60, 100 |
Secret Woods |
In the pond |
The Desert |
In the oasis |
Sewer |
Anywhere in the green water |
Mutant Bug Lair |
Anywhere in the purple water |
Witch’s Swamp |
Anywhere in the water |
Ginger Island North |
North of the docks at Ginger Island South |
Ginger Island South & Southeast |
Anywhere in the water |
Ginger Island West |
In both the ocean and the river |
Pirate Cove |
At the dock |
Fishing Skill in Stardew Valley
The Fishing Skill tree has 10 levels, each with its own rewards and unlocks. It is increased by using a fishing rod or the Crab Pot, and raises your Proficiency, bobber height, and fish size, and decreases bite delay.
Levels & rewards
Fishing Skill Level | Reward |
Level 1 |
Casting distance increased
|
Level 2 | Bait Crafting recipe
Fiberglass Rod, Bait available at Willy’s Fish Shop |
Level 3 | Crab Pot Crafting recipe
Dish O’ The Sea Cooking recipe Crab Pot available at Willy’s Fish Shop |
Level 4 | Recycling Machine Crafting recipe
Casting distance increased |
Level 5 | Pick a Profession:
Fisher – Fish are worth 25% more money Trapper – Costs less materials to craft Crab Pots |
Level 6 | Spinner, Trap Bobber Crafting recipes
Lead Bobber, Trap Bobber, Spinner, Iridium Rod available at Willy’s Fish Shop |
Level 7 | Cork Bobber, Treasure Hunter Crafting recipes
Cork Bobber, Treasure Hunter available at Willy’s Fish Shop |
Level 8 | Dressed Spinner, Barb Hook, Worm Bin Crafting recipes
Barb Hook, Dressed Spinner available at Willy’s Fish Shop Casting distance increased |
Level 9 | Magnet Crafting recipe
Seafoam Pudding Cooking recipe Magnet available at Willy’s Fish Shop |
Level 10 | Pick a Perk:
If chose Fisher at Level 5 – Fish are worth 50% more OR double chance to find treasure If chose Trapper at Level 5 – No trash from Crab Pots OR Crab Pots don’t need Bait |
All fish & locations in Stardew Valley
There are almost 100 fish in the game, all with various locations, times, seasons, and weather conditions. Some even require you to be a certain Fishing Level before they start spawning.
Fish | Location | Time | Weather | Season |
Anchovy |
Ocean | Any time | Any weather | Spring, Fall |
Catfish |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest, Secret Woods, Witch’s Swamp | 6AM – 12AM | Rain | Spring, Fall, Summer |
Eel |
Ocean | 4PM – 2AM | Rain | Spring, Fall |
Flounder |
Ocean, Ginger Island ocean | 6AM – 8PM | Any weather | Spring |
Halibut |
Ocean |
6AM – 11AM 7PM – 2AM |
Any weather | Spring, Winter, Summer |
Herring |
Ocean | Any time | Any weather | Spring, Winter |
Sardine |
Ocean | 6AM – 7PM | Any weather | Spring, Winter, Fall |
Shad |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest | 9AM – 2AM | Rain | Spring, Summer, Fall |
Smallmouth Bass |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest | Any time | Any weather | Spring, Fall |
Sunfish |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest | 6AM – 7PM | Sunny, Windy | Spring, Summer |
Octopus |
Ocean | 6AM – 1PM | Any weather | Summer |
Pike |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest | Any time | Any weather | Summer, Winter |
Pufferfish |
Ocean, Ginger Island ocean | 12PM – 4PM | Sunny | Summer |
Rainbow Trout |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest, Mountain | 6AM – 7PM | Sunny | Summer |
Red Mullet |
Ocean | 6AM – 7PM | Any weather | Summer, Winter |
Red Snapper |
Ocean | 6AM – 7PM | Rain | Summer, Winter, Fall |
Sturgeon |
Mountain | 6AM – 7PM | Any weather | Summer, Winter |
Super Cucumber |
Ocean, Ginger Island ocean | 6PM – 2AM | Any weather | Summer, Fall |
Tilapia |
Ocean, Ginger Island river | 6AM – 2PM | Any weather | Summer, Fall |
Tuna |
Ocean, Ginger Island ocean | 6AM – 7PM | Any weather | Summer, Winter |
Albacore |
Ocean |
6AM – 11AM, 6PM – 2AM |
Any weather | Fall, Winter |
Midnight Carp |
Mountain, Cindersap Forest, Ginger Island pond & river |
10PM – 2AM |
Any weather | Fall, Winter |
Salmon |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest |
6AM – 7PM |
Rain | Fall |
Sea Cucumber |
Ocean |
6AM – 7PM |
Any weather | Fall, Winter |
Tiger Trout |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest |
6AM – 7PM |
Any weather | Fall, Winter |
Walleye |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest, Mountain |
12PM – 2AM |
Rain | Fall, Winter |
Lingcod |
Pelican Town, Cedarsap Forest, Mountain |
Any time |
Any weather | Winter |
Perch |
Pelican Town, Cedarsap Forest, Mountain |
Any time |
Any weather | Winter |
Squid |
Ocean |
6PM – 2AM |
Any weather | Winter |
Blue Discus |
Ginger Island ponds & river |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Bream |
Pelican Town, Cindersap Forest |
6PM – 2AM |
Any weather | Year-round |
Bullhead |
Mountain |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Carp |
Mountain, Secret Woods, Sewers |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Chub |
Cindersap Forest, Mountain |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Ghostfish |
Mines – Floor 20, 60 |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Ice Pip |
Mines – Floor 60 |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Largemouth Bass |
Mountain |
6AM – 7PM |
Any weather | Year-round |
Lava Eel |
Mines – Floor 100 |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Lionfish |
Ginger Island ocean |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Sandfish |
Desert |
6AM – 8PM |
Any weather | Year-round |
Scorpion Carp |
Desert (Fishing Level 4 required) |
6AM – 8PM |
Any weather | Year-round |
Slimejack |
Mutant Bug Lair |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Stingray |
Pirate Cove |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Stonefish |
Mines – Floor 20 |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Void Salmon |
Witch’s Swamp |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
Woodskip |
Forest Farm, Secret Woods |
Any time |
Any weather | Year-round |
All legendary fish in Stardew Valley
There are five Legendary fish, meaning you can only catch them once per save file. It’s up to you what you do with them, whether you want to keep them as trophies or display them, but they all sell for a lot of money if you’re in need of cash.
Fish | Location | Weather | Season |
Angler |
Pelican Town – On the wooden bridge north of JojaMart (Fishing Level 3 required) | Any weather | Fall |
Crimsonfish |
Beach – East Pier (Fishing Level 5 required) | Any weather | Summer |
Glacierfish |
Cindersap Forest – In the south, on the island shaped like an arrowhead (Fishing Level 6 required) | Any weather | Winter |
Legend |
Mountain Lake (Fishing Level 10 required) | Any weather | Rain |
Mutant Carp |
Sewers | Any weather | All seasons |
Crab Pot fish
While the Crab Pot isn’t necessarily a fishing rod, you can catch certain types of sea creatures with it. Once you’re at Fishing Level 3, you can put them into any body of water and leave them overnight to see what you get. Ocean and freshwater have different fish so make sure you put a Pot in both.
Clam |
Cockle |
Crab |
Crayfish (Freshwater) |
Lobster |
Mussel |
Oyster |
Periwinkle (Freshwater) |
Shrimp |
Snail (Freshwater) |
Night Market fish
These three fish can only be caught at the Night Market event on Winter 15–17. You’ll go on a submarine ride and have the chance to go fishing. If you miss the opportunity, you’ll have to wait a whole year so make sure you remember!
Blobfish |
Midnight Squid |
Spookfish |
So, there you have it, that’s all you need to know about fishing in Stardew Valley. Check out our other Stardew Valley guides and content:
How to use bait | Best games like Stardew Valley | How to catch Catfish in Stardew Valley | How to get garlic in Stardew Valley | How to get Iridium Ore in Stardew Valley