Introduction to Stardew Valley Fishing Guide
Introduction
Fishing in Stardew Valley is an enjoyable and rewarding activity that offers plenty of opportunities to unwind and explore. With a wide variety of fish species and fishing locations scattered across the game, each area presents its own challenges and rewards. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re an experienced angler, there’s always something new to uncover in the world of fishing.
This guide covers the essential aspects of fishing, including the different fishing rods, bait, and tackle available to enhance your angling experience. It also outlines various fishing locations, highlighting the best spots for different types of fish. Understanding the behavior of fish, such as the best times and conditions to catch them, is key to becoming an effective fisherman. As you progress, you’ll increase your fishing skill, allowing you to catch more fish and gain access to better equipment.
Fishing in Stardew Valley can also play a significant role in your farm’s success. Catching and selling fish is a great way to earn money, while certain fish are required to complete Community Center bundles. Additionally, raising fish in fish ponds provides various benefits, including unique items and resources. Whether your goal is to complete the Community Center, master the art of fishing, or simply enjoy the peaceful rhythm of the activity, this guide will equip you with the tools and knowledge to succeed in the world of Stardew Valley fishing.
Getting Started
To begin your fishing journey in Stardew Valley, the first step is acquiring a fishing rod. You can obtain your first rod in one of two ways: you can purchase a basic fishing rod from Pierre’s General Store in town for 100 gold, or you can craft one yourself using your Carpentry skill.
Once you have your fishing rod, equip it from the “Tools” section in your inventory. Then, it’s time to choose your fishing spot. Stardew Valley offers a variety of fishing locations, each with its own fish species and challenges. Some of the most popular fishing spots include the river near the town entrance, the lake northeast of the town near the mountains, the fish pond north of the barn on your farm, the pier southwest of the town near the beach, and the Secret Woods lake behind your farm.
To start fishing, cast your line by tapping the “Cast” button. You can adjust the distance of the cast by pressing the button again. Once your line is in the water, wait for a fish to bite. A notification will appear when a fish takes the bait, and your line will start moving. An exclamation mark will appear above your character’s head to indicate that a fish is biting.
Next, reel in the catch by tapping the “Reel In” button repeatedly to prevent the fish from breaking free. After hooking a fish, a mini-game will begin. This mini-game features a progress bar on the right side of the screen and a fish icon moving up and down. You must control a green bar and keep it over the fish icon by tapping or holding the screen. As long as the green bar stays over the fish, the progress bar will fill. If the fish moves out of the green bar, the progress bar will empty, and the fish may escape. To catch the fish, you need to fill the progress bar completely.
Fishing on mobile devices may take a bit of practice, but with patience, you will soon master the technique.
Fish Types
Fishing Pole Fish
About Common Fish
Pole Fish are the most common type and can be caught using a fishing rod in various bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, and mountain lakes. The specific types of fish available depend on the season, time of day, and weather conditions. For example, the Chub can be found year-round, while fish like the Pufferfish only appear at specific times. Certain fish, like the Catfish, require rain to appear, and fish behavior can vary, with some moving smoothly and others darting erratically. Examples of fishing pole fish include the Largemouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, and Eel.Night Market Fish
About Night Market Fish
Night Market Fish are unique to the Night Market event, which takes place during Winter 15-17. These can be caught during the submarine ride at the Night Market or at the southwest corner of the beach pier using magic bait. Notable Night Market fish include the Midnight Squid, Spook Fish, and Blobfish.Legendary Fish
About Legendary Fish
Legendary Fish are special fish that can only be caught once per save file and are marked by a crown icon in the fishing mini-game. They are particularly difficult to catch and can be found in specific locations, such as the Crimsonfish at the east pier on the beach, or the Legend in the mountain lake near the log. Other legendary fish include the Mutant Carp, Angler, and Glacierfish.Legendary Fish II
About Legendary Fish II
Legendary Fish II refers to the younger generation of the original legendary fish, which can be caught during Mr. Qi’s ‘Extended Family’ quest. These fish do not have the crown icon and can be caught multiple times during the quest. They include the Son of Crimsonfish, Ms. Angler, Legend II, Glacierfish Jr., and Radioactive Carp.Crab Pot Fish
About Crab Pot Fish
Crab Pot Fish are creatures caught using a crab pot instead of a fishing rod. While not technically fish, they are required to complete the fish collection. These creatures can be found in both freshwater and saltwater and include Lobster, Clam, Crab, and Shrimp.Miscellaneous Fish
Miscellaneous Fish
Miscellaneous Fish are found in specific locations such as the Sewers, Witch’s Swamp, Secret Woods, or at special events. Examples include the Sandfish, Slimejack, and Woodskip.Fishing Rods
Training Rod
About Training Rod
The Training Rod is the most basic rod, available for 25 gold. It’s designed for beginners and makes catching fish easier, especially at the start of the game. However, it has limitations: it cannot use bait or tackle, and its usefulness is limited once you’ve gained more experience. It does help increase your fishing skill up to level five, if you haven’t reached that level yet.Bamboo Pole
About Bamboo Pole
The Bamboo Rod costs 500 gold and can be obtained after completing the “To The Beach” quest. It’s a slight improvement over the Training Rod but still basic. Like the Training Rod, it does not allow for bait or tackle, limiting its effectiveness for catching fish more efficiently.Fiberglass Rod
About Fiberglass Rod
The Fiberglass Rod is available for purchase at Willy’s shop once you reach fishing level 2, costing 1,800 gold. This rod is a significant upgrade, as it allows you to use bait, which helps fish bite faster, speeding up your fishing sessions and making it easier to level up your fishing skill. This rod is an essential step in progressing through the fishing system.Iridium Rod
About Iridium Rod
The Iridium Rod is the best rod available in the game, costing 7,500 gold. It becomes available at Willy’s shop once you reach fishing level 6. The Iridium Rod allows you to equip both bait and tackle, which offers various benefits such as slowing down fish escapes or increasing your chances of finding treasure. It also allows you to cast further, making it the ideal choice for catching more difficult and rare fish.Bait and Tackle
Cork Bobber
About Cork Bobber
The Cork Bobber slightly increases the size of your fishing bar in the mini-game, making it easier to align with the fish icon, and the Lead Bobber adds weight to the fishing bar, preventing it from bouncing along the bottom when you let go of the rod during the mini-game.Barbed Hook
About Barbed Hook
The Barbed Hook helps the fishing bar cling to the fish, making it easier to keep the fish within the green zone, and is best used on fish with steady behavior.Quality Bobber
About Quality Bobber
The Treasure Hunter prevents fish from escaping when trying to collect treasure and slightly increases the chance of finding treasure from 15% to 20%. The Quality Bobber increases the quality of the fish you catch by one level, allowing you to catch Iridium-quality fish without a perfect catch.Curiosity Lure
About Curiosity Lure
Lastly, the Curiosity Lure increases your chances of catching rare fish, including Legendary fish, and can be found in boxes or barrels in places like the Quarry Mine, Skull Cavern, and Volcano Dungeon, or dropped by Mummies in the Skull Cavern. Choosing the right bait and tackle depends on your goals and the type of fish you’re trying to catch. For example, if your goal is to catch all the Legendary fish, the Curiosity Lure is ideal, while the Quality Bobber is useful for increasing your profits by catching higher-quality fish. The Barbed Hook can make catching fish easier, especially those with steady movements.Fishing Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks
Tip #1
Upgrading your fishing rod is also essential for improving your experience. The Iridium Rod is the best choice as it allows you to use both bait and tackle, and it casts further, making it easier to catch fish. Using bait and tackle will significantly improve your fishing. Always use bait to catch more fish in a given time, which helps level up faster. Once you unlock tackles, they can make catching fish easier, help you find treasure, or increase the quality of your catch.
Tip #2
Understanding fish behavior is key to success. Fish in Stardew Valley exhibit five different behaviors: Mixed, Smooth, Sinker, Floater, and Dart. Learning these behaviors will help you anticipate their movements and keep the green bar aligned during the fishing mini-game. As you continue to fish, you’ll level up your fishing skill, which will not only make the green box bigger but also result in less erratic fish movements. Additionally, leveling up unlocks new crafting recipes and equipment, making fishing easier and more rewarding.
Tip #3
Fishing in the right locations is also important. Different areas offer different fish species. Start by fishing at the lakes near your farm and then explore other spots, such as the mountains or the Secret Woods lake. Adjusting your casting distance can help you reach fish in different parts of the water and reduce the chances of catching junk. Weather and time play a role as well—certain fish are more active during specific times of the day or year, and some require rain to appear.
Tip #4
To maximize your experience, always aim for perfect catches. Keeping the fish in the green zone the entire time earns you bonus experience points. If a treasure chest appears during the mini-game, don’t ignore it—catch both the chest and the fish, as chests contain valuable loot, even if it means giving up the perfect catch bonus.
Tip #5
Experimenting with the right bait is also important, as different fish are attracted to different types. Patience and persistence are key, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t catch fish right away. With practice, you’ll improve. You can also use food for buffs to temporarily boost your fishing skill, making it easier to catch fish.
Tip #6
Lastly, don’t forget to process and sell your catch. You can sell your fish at the local market or to the traveling merchant to earn gold and experience points. You can also cook the fish to create dishes for sale or consumption, providing health benefits.
Tip #6
By following these tips and practicing your technique, you’ll be on your way to becoming a fishing master in Stardew Valley.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
How do I start fishing in Stardew Valley?
To start fishing, you need a fishing rod, which you can get from Willy’s shop. Simply equip the rod, stand near a body of water, and cast your line by pressing the use button.
What’s the best time to fish in Stardew Valley?
Fish can be caught at any time of day, but some fish are available only during specific seasons, weather, and times (morning, afternoon, or evening).
How do I catch fish?
Once you cast your line, wait for a bite. When you see the bobber dip, quickly press the action button to hook the fish. Then, you’ll need to keep the green bar behind the fish as it moves up and down to catch it.
What is the fishing skill, and how does it affect fishing?
The fishing skill increases as you catch fish. The higher your fishing skill, the easier it is to keep the green bar behind the fish. At higher levels, you unlock better rods, baits, and more fishing options.
What are the different types of fishing rods in Stardew Valley?
There are several rods, including the basic rod (free), the fiberglass rod (unlocks bait usage), and the iridium rod (unlocks the use of both bait and tackle).
What are fish bites, and how do I know when to reel in?
Fish bites are indicated by the bobber dipping underwater. When this happens, reel in by pressing the action button. Be quick to ensure the fish doesn’t escape.
How can I increase my chances of catching rare fish?
Fishing in different locations, during certain weather conditions, or at specific times can help increase your chances of rare fish. Using higher-quality rods and adding bait or tackle can also help.
What is the role of bait and tackle in fishing?
Bait increases the chances of fish biting, while tackle can improve your fishing efficiency, such as making it easier to keep the fish within the green bar or decreasing the time it takes for a fish to bite.
Can I fish in all seasons?
Yes, you can fish in all seasons, but certain fish only appear in specific seasons. For example, the Catfish is only available during the spring and fall in certain locations.
Where are the best fishing spots in Stardew Valley?
Great fishing spots include the river near your farm, the beach (accessible after repairing the bridge), and the mountain lake. Each location has its own set of fish depending on the season and weather conditions.
