Mastering the art of fishing in Stardew Valley can significantly enhance your gameplay experience, but it takes a bit of practice. The type of fish you can catch varies based on several factors, including the season, weather conditions, your fishing location, and the time of day in the game.
Fortunately, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide that covers every fish in Stardew Valley, including tips on how to catch them and information on their availability. From elusive red snappers to the common catfish, we’ve got you covered. Once you’re done fishing, you might want to take on a quest to gather the Golden Walnuts or the Prismatic Shards!
How to Catch Fish in Stardew Valley
When you start fishing, you’ll need to engage in a mini-game to catch your fish. A window will pop up featuring a fish icon and a bar. Your goal is to press a button to move the bar up and down while keeping the fish within the bar’s limits. A meter will fill as long as the fish is contained within the bar; if it slips out, the meter will decrease. You must fully fill this meter to catch the fish; if it empties, the fish will escape.
Stardew Valley Fish: Fishing Rod
Certain types of fish in Stardew Valley can only be caught using a fishing rod. To improve your chances of landing fish like the Sturgeon, Lava Eel, Catfish, or Red Snapper, consider upgrading your fishing rod. You start with a Bamboo Pole on your second day, then you can buy a Fiberglass Rod at Willy’s Fish Shop when you reach level 3 in fishing. An Iridium Rod becomes available for purchase once you achieve level 6.
| Fish | Location | Time | Season | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pufferfish | Ocean | 12pm-4pm | Summer | Sunny |
| Anchovy | Ocean | All Day | Spring/Fall | Any |
| Tuna | Ocean | 6am-7pm | Summer/Winter | Any |
| Sardine | Ocean | 6am-7pm | Spring/Fall/Winter | Any |
| Bream | River (Town/Forest) | 6pm-2am | Any | Any |
| Largemouth Bass | Lake (Mountain) | 6am-7pm | Any | Any |
| Smallmouth Bass | River (Town)/Pond (Forest) | Any | Spring/Fall | Any |
| Rainbow Trout | River (Town/Forest)/Lake (Mountain) | 6am-7pm | Summer | Sunny |
Stardew Valley Fish: Crab Pot
Just like with fishing rods, some fish can only be caught using crab pots. You can craft a Crab Pot using 40 Wood and 3 Iron Bars, or you can purchase one from the Fish Shop for 1,500g after reaching level 3 in fishing. Additionally, you can acquire crab pots by completing the Crab Pot Bundle in the Fish Tank, catching various crab pot fish, or winning them during the Trout Derby mini-festival in the summer.
| Fish | Location |
|---|---|
| Clam | Ocean |
| Cockle | Ocean |
| Crab | Ocean |
Stardew Valley Fish: Night Market
During the Night Market festival, you can catch three special types of fish exclusively through a submarine ride, available from 5pm to 2am (it closes at 11pm) on the 15th to 17th of Winter. The tour costs 1,000g, and you must use either a Fiberglass or Iridium rod for a chance to catch:
- Midnight Squid
- Blobfish
- Spook Fish
Stardew Valley Fish: Legendary
Legendary fish are rare and challenging to catch, requiring a fishing rod. There are five legendary fish—one for each season and one additional. Each can only be caught once per game save unless you’re playing in co-op mode. Here’s where and when you can find them:
| Fish | Location | Time | Season | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimsonfish | East pier on the beach (level 5 fishing) | Any | Summer | Any |
| Angler | North of JojaMart on the wooden bridge (level 3 fishing) | Any | Fall | Any |
| Legend | Mountain Lake near the log (level 10 fishing) | Any | Spring | Rain |
| Glacierfish | South end of Arrowhead Island in Cindersap Forest (level 6 fishing) | Any | Winter | Any |
| Mutant Carp | The Sewers | Any | Any | Any |
Aside from catching items like Seaweed, Green Algae, and White Algae, these are all the fish you can find while fishing in Stardew Valley (excluding junk). Best of luck in your fishing adventures!
Want more tips on Stardew Valley? Check out our guides on tips, cheats, and mods.