Mastering fishing in Stardew Valley is not just a hobby; it’s a gateway to a steady income, a key to completing community center bundles, and a ticket to cooking some of the most fantastic recipes in the game. This comprehensive guide is your roadmap on how to fish in Stardew Valley.
How to Fish in Stardew Valley
You must first obtain a fishing rod to begin your fishing adventure in Stardew Valley. Your first fishing rod, the Bamboo Pole, is given to you for free by Willy, the local fisherman, after you receive a letter from him on the second day of Spring. You can find Willy at the beach, south of Pelican Town.
Fishing in Stardew Valley involves a mini-game that can be tricky to master. When you cast your line and get a bite, a progress bar and a fish icon appear on the screen. The goal is to keep the fish icon within the green bar until the progress bar fills up. To catch fish successfully, you need to tap the Use Tool button (usually left-click or a button on your controller) to raise the green bar, release the button to let the bar drop and control the bar’s position to keep the fish icon within it.
As you catch more fish, your fishing skill improves. Each level grants new crafting recipes, increased fishing rod proficiency, and access to better fishing rods and tackle.
Fishing Locations and Seasons
Stardew Valley is aworld of surprises; fishing is your gateway to discovering its hidden treasures. You can cast your line in rivers, lakes, oceans, and ponds with unique fish species. Rivers flow through Pelican Town, the Forest, and the Mountains, which boast serene lakes. seacean stretches along the beach, and the Forest is home to peaceful pondsnear the Wizard’s Tower.
Fish availability changes with the seasons as well. For instance, in Spring, you can catch Catfish in rivers when it’s raining and Sunfish in rivers during sunny weather. In Summer, Pufferfishare foundin the ocean during sunny days, and Tilapia also appear in the sea. In Fall, Salmon are available in rivers and Walleye in rivers when it’s raining. During Winter, you can catch Sturgeon in lakes and Squid in the ocean at night.
- Spring: Catfish (River, Rain), Sunfish (River)
- Summer: Pufferfish (Ocean, Sunny), Tilapia (Ocean)
- Fall: Salmon (River), Walleye (River, Rain)
- Winter: Sturgeon (Lake), Squid (Ocean, Night)
Fish may also be time-specific. Most fish are available during the daytime (6 AM – 7 PM), while certain species, like Eel and Squid, can only be caught at night (7 PM – 2 AM). Additionally, some fish only appear in specific weather conditions. For example, Sunfish and Pufferfish are found on sunny days, while Catfish and Walleye appear during rainy weather.
- Daytime (6 AM – 7 PM): Most fish
- Nighttime (7 PM – 2 AM): Eel, Squid
Fishing Gear
Fishing Rods
Upgrading your fishing gear is a necessity for improving your fishing efficiency. The Bamboo Pole, Fiberglass Rod, and Iridium Rod are your tools for success. The Bamboo Pole is a basic rod. The Fiberglass Rod, available at Fishing Level 2, can use Bait to increase the bite rate, and the Iridium Rod, available at Fishing Level 6, can use both Bait and tackle, giving you an edge in the fishing game.
- Bamboo Pole: Basic rod, no bait or tackle.
- Fiberglass Rod: Can use Bait, available at Fishing Level 2.
- Iridium Rod: Can use Bait and tackle, available at Fishing Level 6.
Bait
Using Bait decreases the time it takes for fish to bite. You can attach it to the Fiberglass or Iridium Rod. Basic Bait increases the bite rate, Wild Bait occasionally catches double fish, and the Magnet increases the chance of finding treasure. Tackle adds special effects to your fishing rod but only works with the Iridium Rod. Examples include the Spinner, which increases bite rate; the Trap Bobber, which makes fish escape slower; and the Cork Bobber, which increases the size of your green bar.
- Basic Bait: Increases bite rate.
- Wild Bait: Occasionally catches double fish.
- Magnet: Increases the chance of finding treasure.
Related: How to Grow Carrots in Stardew Valley
Fishing Strategy
Upgrading your fishing gear, choosing the right Bait and tackle, and selectingthe best fishing spots can significantly improve your catch rate. Keep an eye out for bubbling spots in the water, a sign of an increased bite rate.With the right strategy, you can turn every fishing trip into a fruitful adventure.
Plan your fishing trips according to the time of day, weather, and season to maximize your chances of catching rare fish. As you level up, the green bar becomes larger, making keeping the fish within it easier. Higher skill levels also unlock new rods and tackle.
That’s how to fish in Stardew Valley! Although it can be tricky to master at first, it is one of the best ways to make money and get new recipes.
The Guide Hall initially had trouble fishing in Stardew Valley, but now we’re professionals at it. Fishing remains a great way to get food and money when you don’t want to rely on farming solely.
