Complete Fishing Guide
TL;DR
Fishing is one of the five main skills in Stardew Valley, offering both relaxing gameplay and significant income potential. The Iridium Rod (7,500g, Fishing Level 6) is the best fishing tool, supporting both bait and tackle attachments. Wild Bait provides the highest efficiency with a chance to catch two fish at once. The five legendary fish (Legend, Crimsonfish, Angler, Glacierfish, Mutant Carp) can each be caught only once per save file, with difficulty ratings from 80-110. The Fisher -> Angler profession path maximizes profit with 75% total bonus to fish sell prices.
Fishing is one of the five main skills in Stardew Valley. It can be a relaxing way to earn income or a challenging pursuit of rare species. This guide covers everything from basic mechanics to legendary fish strategies, including all rods, bait, tackle, seasonal fish locations, and the complete fishing skill progression.
How Does the Fishing Mini-Game Work?
When you cast your line into water, a fish will bite (indicated by an exclamation mark and sound). Click to start the fishing minigame. A green bar appears alongside a vertical meter:
- Click/hold to raise the green bar.
- Release to let the green bar fall.
- Keep the fish icon inside the green bar to fill the catch meter.
- If the catch meter fills completely, you catch the fish.
- If it empties completely, the fish escapes.
The difficulty of the minigame depends on the fish species. Some fish barely move, while others dart erratically. Higher fishing skill makes the green bar larger, making catches easier. The green bar also bounces off the top and bottom of the meter, which can be used strategically.
What is the Best Fishing Mini-Game Strategy?
- Keep the bar steady. Rather than clicking frantically, try to maintain the bar at a consistent height where the fish tends to swim.
- Use the bounce. Let the bar bounce off the bottom or top to maintain position without constant clicking.
- Anticipate fish movement. Fish that dart upward will often reverse direction. Be ready to release when they change direction.
- Practice makes perfect. The fishing mini-game is the hardest skill in Stardew Valley. Do not get discouraged by early failures.
- Use food buffs. Eating Dish oโ The Sea (+1 Fishing) or Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing) makes the green bar larger.
What Fishing Rods Are Available?
There are four fishing rods in the game, each unlocked at different milestones:
| Rod | How to Unlock | Bait | Tackle | Notes |
|---|
| Bamboo Pole | Given by Willy on Spring 2 (visit beach) | No | No | Basic rod, no attachments |
| Fiberglass Rod | Buy from Willy for 1,800g (Fishing Level 2) | Yes | No | First rod with bait slot |
| Iridium Rod | Buy from Willy for 7,500g (Fishing Level 6) | Yes | Yes | Best rod, has tackle slot |
| Training Rod | Buy from Willy for 75g | No | No | Easier fishing, limited to basic fish |
What Bait Types Are Available?
Bait can be attached to the Fiberglass Rod and Iridium Rod to reduce the time between bites. Bait is consumed each time a fish is caught.
| Bait | Effect | Source | Cost |
|---|
| Bait | Reduces time between bites | Craft: 10 Bug Meat | Free (with bugs) |
| Magnet | Increases treasure chance | Chests in mines, Skull Cavern | Found only |
| Wild Bait | Fish bite faster AND double catch chance | Complete Qiโs quest | 5 Qi Gems per 5 |
What is Wild Bait and Why is it the Best?
Wild Bait is the best bait in the game. It combines the bite rate reduction of normal bait with a special effect: each cast has a chance of catching two fish at once. This effectively doubles your fishing output. However, it is only available after completing a challenging quest from Mr. Qi.
What Tackle Types Are Available?
Tackle is attached to the Iridium Rodโs tackle slot and provides various bonuses. Each tackle has a limited durability and will break after a certain number of uses.
| Tackle | Effect | Fishing Level | Durability | Cost |
|---|
| Cork Bobber | Slightly increases green bar size | Level 5 | No break | 500g |
| Barbed Hook | Fish donโt escape while bar is raised | Level 8 | Breaks after uses | 1,000g |
| Trap Bobber | Fish escape slower when bar not touching | Level 6 | Breaks after uses | 500g |
| Spinner | Slightly increases bite rate | Level 6 | No break | 500g |
| Curiosity Lure | Doubles rare fish chance | Level 8 | No break | 2,000g |
| Treasure Hunter | Greatly increases treasure chance | Level 8 (Willy quest) | No break | 750g |
| Sonar | Shows fish name before catching | Level 6 | No break | 1,000g |
| Dress Spinner | Increases bite rate in rain | Level 6 | No break | 750g |
What is the Best Tackle for Each Situation?
| Situation | Recommended Tackle | Reason |
|---|
| General fishing | Cork Bobber or Trap Bobber | Larger bar or slower escape |
| Legendary fish | Trap Bobber | Fish escape slower, critical for hard fish |
| Treasure farming | Treasure Hunter | Maximizes chest finds |
| Rare fish collection | Curiosity Lure | Doubles chance of rare species |
| Rain fishing | Dress Spinner | Faster bites during rain |
Complete Fish List by Season
What Fish Can Be Caught in Spring?
| Fish | Location | Time | Weather | Difficulty | Sell Price |
|---|
| Catfish | River | 6AM-12AM | Rainy | 35 | 200g |
| Eel | Ocean | 4PM-2AM | Rainy | 55 | 85g |
| Flounder | Ocean | 6AM-8AM | Any | 40 | 100g |
| Herring | Ocean | All day | Any | 20 | 30g |
| Largemouth Bass | Mountain Lake | 6AM-7PM | Any | 30 | 100g |
| Shad | River | 9AM-2PM | Rainy | 30 | 60g |
| Tiger Trout | River | 6AM-7PM | Any | 30 | 75g |
| Walleye | River | 12PM-2AM | Any | 35 | 105g |
| Sardine | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Any | 20 | 40g |
| Tuna | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Any | 50 | 100g |
| Red Snapper | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Rainy | 35 | 50g |
What Fish Can Be Caught in Summer?
| Fish | Location | Time | Weather | Difficulty | Sell Price |
|---|
| Octopus | Ocean | 6AM-1PM | Any | 70 | 150g |
| Pufferfish | Ocean | 12PM-4PM | Sunny | 65 | 200g |
| Red Snapper | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Rainy | 35 | 50g |
| Tilapia | Ocean | 6AM-2PM | Any | 30 | 75g |
| Tuna | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Any | 50 | 100g |
| Albacore | Ocean | 6AM-11AM | Rainy | 45 | 75g |
| Super Cucumber | Ocean | 6PM-2AM | Any | 60 | 250g |
| Midnight Carp | Mountain Lake | 10PM-2AM | Any | 10 | 45g |
| Dorado | Forest Pond | 6AM-2PM | Any | 65 | 300g |
What Fish Can Be Caught in Fall?
| Fish | Location | Time | Weather | Difficulty | Sell Price |
|---|
| Salmon | River | 6AM-6PM | Any | 40 | 75g |
| Walleye | River | 12PM-2AM | Any | 35 | 105g |
| Tiger Trout | River | 6AM-7PM | Any | 30 | 75g |
| Albacore | Ocean | 6AM-11AM | Rainy | 45 | 75g |
| Sardine | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Any | 20 | 40g |
| Tuna | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Any | 50 | 100g |
| Red Snapper | Ocean | 6AM-7PM | Rainy | 35 | 50g |
| Lingcod | River | 6AM-6PM | Any | 65 | 120g |
| Shad | River | 9AM-2PM | Rainy | 30 | 60g |
What Fish Can Be Caught in Winter?
| Fish | Location | Time | Weather | Difficulty | Sell Price |
|---|
| Squid | Ocean | 6PM-2AM | Any | 50 | 80g |
| Perch | River | 6AM-6PM | Any | 15 | 55g |
| Lingcod | River | 6AM-6PM | Any | 65 | 120g |
| Midnight Carp | Mountain Lake, River | 10PM-2AM | Any | 10 | 45g |
| Walleye | River | 12AM-2AM | Any | 35 | 105g |
| Sea Cucumber | Ocean | 6AM-6PM | Any | 5 | 75g |
| Flounder | Ocean | 6AM-8AM | Any | 40 | 100g |
| Blobfish | Ocean | 6AM-6PM | Rainy | 70 | 150g |
| Midnight Squid | Ocean | 12AM-2AM | Any | 50 | 110g |
| Spook Fish | Sewers | All day | Any | 55 | 800g |
| Stonefish | Mines (level 20) | Any | Any | 50 | 75g |
| Ice Pip | Mines (level 40) | Any | Any | 40 | 75g |
| Lava Eel | Mines (level 80-100) | Any | Any | 85 | 700g |
How to Catch Legendary Fish?
There are five legendary fish, each available only during a specific season and under specific conditions. Each legendary fish can only be caught once per save file.
How to Catch the Legend (Spring)?
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Season | Spring |
| Location | Mountain Lake |
| Time | 6AM-12AM |
| Weather | Rainy day |
| Minimum Date | Spring 5 |
| Difficulty | 110 (extremely hard) |
| Sell Price | 1,650g |
Strategy: Wait for a rainy spring day after the 5th. Use the Iridium Rod with Trap Bobber. Cast into the lake and be patient. The Legend has an extremely erratic movement pattern. Eat food that boosts fishing skill (Dish oโ The Sea) before attempting.
How to Catch the Crimsonfish (Summer)?
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Season | Summer |
| Location | Ocean (east pier) |
| Time | 6AM-6PM |
| Weather | Any |
| Minimum Date | Summer 5 |
| Difficulty | 95 |
| Sell Price | 1,500g |
Strategy: Fish from the east pier of the beach. The Crimsonfish is slightly easier than the Legend but still very challenging. Use Trap Bobber and fishing food buffs.
How to Catch the Angler (Fall)?
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Season | Fall |
| Location | River (north of Joja Mart) |
| Time | 6AM-6PM |
| Weather | Any |
| Minimum Date | Fall 5 |
| Difficulty | 85 |
| Sell Price | 1,500g |
Strategy: Cast your line into the river north of Joja Mart. The Angler is the easiest of the legendary fish, though still very challenging. Use Trap Bobber.
How to Catch the Glacierfish (Winter)?
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Season | Winter |
| Location | Forest Pond (south of farm) |
| Time | 6AM-6PM |
| Weather | Any |
| Minimum Date | Winter 5 |
| Difficulty | 90 |
| Sell Price | 1,500g |
Strategy: Fish in the small pond south of your farm in Cindersap Forest. The Glacierfish has a large size but moves unpredictably. Trap Bobber is recommended.
How to Catch the Mutant Carp (Any Season)?
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Season | Any |
| Location | Sewers |
| Time | Any |
| Requirement | Donate 60 items to Museum (10,000g total) |
| Difficulty | 80 |
| Sell Price | 1,500g |
Strategy: The Mutant Carp is the only legendary fish available year-round, but you must first unlock the sewers by donating 60 artifacts/minerals to Gunther at the Museum. It is the easiest legendary fish to catch.
How to Use Crab Pots Effectively?
Crab pots are a passive fishing method. Place them in water and check them daily to collect shellfish and other items.
Crab Pot Details
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Crafting Recipe | 40 Wood, 3 Iron Bars (Fishing Level 3) |
| Bait Required | Yes (unless Luremaster profession) |
| Daily Production | 1 item per pot per day |
| Placement | Any body of water |
| Max Pots | Limited by fishing level (without Mariner) |
Crab Pot Catches
| Item | Sell Price | Location |
|---|
| Crab | 75g | Any water |
| Lobster | 120g | Ocean only |
| Shrimp | 60g | Any water |
| Crayfish | 75g | Freshwater only |
| Cockle | 50g | Ocean only |
| Mussel | 30g | Ocean only |
| Oyster | 50g | Ocean only |
| Clam | 50g | Ocean only |
| Snail | 65g | Any water |
| Periwinkle | 20g | Any water |
| Trash | 0g | Any (reduced with Mariner) |
What is the Best Crab Pot Strategy?
- Place ocean crab pots for Lobster (highest sell price at 120g)
- With the Mariner profession (Level 10, Trapper branch), crab pots never produce trash
- With the Luremaster profession (Level 10, Trapper branch), crab pots do not require bait
- Best combination: Mariner (no trash) + bait from bug meat
What Are the Best Fishing Skill Professions?
Level 5 Choice
| Profession | Effect |
|---|
| Fisher | Fish sell for 25% more |
| Trapper | Crab pots require no bait |
Level 10 Choice (Fisher Branch)
| Profession | Effect |
|---|
| Angler | Fish sell for 50% more (total +75% with Fisher) |
| Pirate | Chance to find double treasure |
Level 10 Choice (Trapper Branch)
| Profession | Effect |
|---|
| Mariner | Crab pots never produce trash |
| Luremaster | Crab pots do not require bait |
What is the Recommended Fishing Profession Path?
For most players, Fisher -> Angler is the best path. The 50% bonus from Angler (stacking with Fisherโs 25% for 75% total) significantly increases fishing income. The Trapper branch is only recommended for players who want a fully passive crab pot setup.
Fishing XP Table
| Level | XP Required | Reward |
|---|
| 1 | 0 | Bamboo Pole |
| 2 | 100 | Fiberglass Rod available |
| 3 | 300 | Crab Pot recipe |
| 4 | 600 | Barbed Hook recipe |
| 5 | 1,000 | Choose Fisher or Trapper |
| 6 | 2,000 | Iridium Rod available |
| 7 | 3,000 | Spinners recipe |
| 8 | 5,000 | Trap Bobber recipe |
| 9 | 8,000 | Curiosity Lure recipe |
| 10 | 12,000 | Choose Angler/Pirate or Mariner/Luremaster |
XP Sources
| Action | XP Gained |
|---|
| Catch a fish | 3 + (difficulty x 3) XP |
| Catch a legendary fish | 5 x difficulty XP |
| Perfect catch (bar never drops) | 2.2x XP multiplier |
| Crab pot item | 5 XP per item |
| Trash | 3 XP |
Data Sources: All game data in this guide is based on the official Stardew Valley Wiki and verified against game version 1.6.