Fishing in Stardew Valley isn’t just a way to unwind—it’s a profitable and fulfilling endeavor when done right.
Welcome to the enchanting world of Stardew Valley, a farming simulation game developed by ConcernedApe and released in 2016. You play as a farmer who inherited their grandfather’s farm, having the freedom to grow crops, build relationships, and go fishing.
In Stardew Valley, fishing could be peaceful but also has the potential to be incredibly frustrating. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, understanding the importance of fishing and the basic mechanics involved will set you on the path to success.
The Importance of Fishing
Fishing in Stardew Valley serves multiple purposes that can greatly benefit your gameplay. Firstly, it provides a reliable source of income. By catching and selling fish, you can earn a steady stream of gold, allowing you to purchase upgrades, seeds, and other essentials for your farm. Fishing can be particularly lucrative if you manage to reel in valuable and rare fish species.
Secondly, fishing is an integral part of completing various quests and bundles in the Community Center. The Community Center is a central hub where you can restore and revitalize the town by fulfilling specific requirements. Many of these requirements involve catching specific fish or other aquatic creatures, making fishing an essential aspect of progressing through the game. For more information about the Community Center and its quests, check out our article on Stardew Valley Community Center.
Lastly, fishing can contribute to the overall balance and sustainability of your virtual world. Fish can be used as ingredients for cooking recipes, gifts for building relationships with the residents of Stardew Valley, or even to replenish energy and health.
Basic Mechanics of Fishing
To embark on your fishing journey, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the basics of fishing in Stardew Valley. Here’s a quick rundown of how it works:
Casting: Stand near a body of water and press the action button to cast your fishing line. There would be a sound indicating a fish bit, and when you press the action button again at the right moment, a “HIT!” will appear on the screen.
Bar and Gauge: Once your line is cast, a bar with a moving indicator and a green gauge will appear on the screen. The goal is to keep the indicator aligned with the moving green bar by pressing and holding the action button.
Fish Behavior: Different fish species have unique behavior patterns. Some fish may move erratically, while others may be more predictable. Pay attention to the fish’s movements and adjust your timing accordingly.
Catching the Fish: When the fish indicator remains in the green bar, you’ll successfully catch it.
Tips for Successful Fishing
To become a master angler in Stardew Valley, keeping a few key tips in mind is important. These tips will help you improve your fishing skills and increase your chances of catching rare and valuable fish. Here are some essential tips for successful fishing in Stardew Valley:
Upgrading your Fishing Rod
As you progress through the game, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade your fishing rod. This is technically buying a new one from Willy. There are currently four types of fishing rods in the game:
| Fishing Rod | Uses | Unlock Requirement | Price |
| Training Rod | Easier to use, but only catches common fishes. | None. | 25g |
| Bamboo Rod | The basic rod you get from Willy. | None. | 500g |
| Fiberglass Rod | You can attach bait. | Fishing Level 2 | 1,800g |
| Iridium Rod | You can attach bait and tackle. | Fishing Level 6 | 7,500g |
Bait and Tackle: You can attach bait to the Fiberglass and Iridium Rods, but you can only attach tackle to the latter. Bait increases the chances of catching fish, while tackle provides additional benefits such as increased bar size (Cork Bobber) or improved quality of the fish caught (Quality Bobber).
All available tackles
To make fishing a lot easier, here are the various types of tackles that you can use and where to get them.
Note: Those without any number indication on the crafting ingredients means it only needs 1 piece of the item.
| Tackle | Where to get | Price | Crafting ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barbed Hook | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 8 | 1,000g | Copper Bar, Iron Bar, Gold Bar |
| Cork Bobber | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 7 | 750g | 10x Wood, 5x Hardwood, 10x Slime |
| Curiosity Lure | Break boxes and barrels in Quarry Mine, Skull Cavern, and Volcano Dungeon Dropped from Mummies and special monsters in Skull Cavern | N/A | N/A |
| Dressed Spinner | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 7 Chance to get in fishing treasure chests at Fishing Level 6 | 1,000g | 2x Iron Bar, Cloth |
| Lead Bobber | Willy’s Fish Shop Unlocks at Fishing Level 6 | 200g | N/A |
| Quality Bobber | Recipe for crafting from Willy after completion of Juicy Bugs Wanted! special order | N/A | Copper Bar, 20x Sap, 5x Solar Essence |
| Sonar Bobber | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 6 | 500g | Iron Bar, 2x Refined Quartz |
| Spinner | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 6 | 500g | 2x Iron Bar |
| Trap Bobber | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 6 | 500g | Copper Bar, 10x Sap |
| Treasure Hunter | Willy’s Fish Shop Crafting at Fishing Level 7 | 750g | 2x Gold Bar |
Choosing the Right Fishing Spot
Location matters when it comes to fishing. Different areas in Stardew Valley have varying fish populations and quality. Some spots may have more abundant fish and provide a higher chance of catching rare fish.
To find the best fishing spots, explore different areas, such as rivers, lakes, and the ocean. It’s recommended to fish in bodies of water that are larger, as smaller fishing areas would lead to just catching trash most of the time.
Look for the Bubbles
When you look at bodies of water, sometimes you’ll encounter the bubbles. Do your best to fish near that area as fishes bite four times faster, more difficult or rarer fishes can be caught, and less likely to get trash.
Timing and Weather Considerations
Timing and weather play a significant role in fishing success. Pay attention to the time of day and weather conditions when you plan to fish. Some fish are more active during specific times or weather patterns, while others may prefer different seasons.
Maximizing Your Fishing Profits
To truly excel in fishing in Stardew Valley, it’s important to not only enjoy the experience but also maximize your profits. Here are some strategies to help you identify valuable fish, make use of crab pots, and unlock and utilizing the fish pond.
Identifying Valuable Fish
Not all fish in Stardew Valley are created equal regarding their value. Some fish fetch a higher price than others, making them more lucrative to catch and sell. By familiarizing yourself with the different fish species and their values, you can prioritize your efforts to catch the most profitable ones.
The table below showcases some examples of valuable fish and their selling prices:
| Fish Name | Base Price |
|---|---|
| Pufferfish | 200g |
| Sturgeon | 200g |
| Largemouth Bass | 100g |
| Rainbow Trout | 65g |
By targeting valuable fish, you can significantly increase your earnings from fishing trips.
Utilizing Crab Pots
In addition to traditional fishing, using crab pots can be an excellent way to supplement your fishing profits. Crab pots are placed in bodies of water, such as rivers or the ocean, and passively catch a variety of aquatic creatures over time.
Once you have placed your crab pots, they will automatically collect items such as crabs, lobsters, and clams. These items can be sold for a decent profit or used in crafting recipes. Incorporating crab pots into your fishing routine can increase your overall income and diversify your catch.
Fish Ponds
The Fish Pond is a 5×5 farm structure which you can purchase from Robin for 5,000g, 200 Stone, 5 Seaweed, and 5 Green Algae. It’s not as profitable compared to just having the plot reserved for crops, but if you really want to keep fishes, then you can!
You can place any fish that you can catch with your Fishing Rod and Crab Pot in the Fish Pond. However, you cannot put Legendary fish in the pond or Qi’s Extended Family.
The best fishes for Fish Ponds would vary, but it is recommended to have Sturgeon for making Caviar, Rainbow Trout for a chance to get a Prismatic Shard, and Lava Eels for aged roes.
By identifying valuable fish, using crab pots, and utilizing fishing baits and tackles, you can significantly boost your profits and become a master angler in Stardew Valley. To further enhance your fishing prowess, keep honing your fishing skills, exploring new fishing spots, and discovering hidden secrets. Happy fishing!