Introduction
Stardew Valley Sturgeon is a highly sought-after fish that can only be caught in the Mountain Lake during summer and winter, making it a seasonal challenge for players. Unlike legendary fish, it can be caught multiple times, but its erratic movement pattern makes it difficult to reel in. To improve their chances, players should increase their fishing skill level, use an upgraded rod like the Fiberglass or Iridium Rod, and equip tackle such as the Trap Bobber to slow down the fish’s escape.
Using bait also helps speed up bite rates, reducing the wait time between catches. Additionally, consuming food buffs like Dish o’ The Sea or Trout Soup can provide a temporary fishing skill boost, making it easier to catch the elusive Sturgeon.
One of the main reasons players seek out Stardew Valley Sturgeon is its ability to produce caviar, a valuable artisan good. When placed in a Fish Pond, Sturgeon produces Sturgeon Roe, which can be processed in a Preserves Jar to create caviar. This makes Sturgeon one of the best fish to keep in a Fish Pond for long-term profitability. Caviar is useful for both selling and gifting, as well as being a required item for the Missing Bundle in the Abandoned JojaMart, making it a key resource for players aiming to restore the movie theater.
Beyond its use in caviar production, Stardew Valley Sturgeon is also necessary to complete the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center’s Fish Tank. Donating it helps players unlock valuable rewards and progress toward repairing the Fish Tank, which ultimately restores the ability to remove trash from water sources, improving the overall fishing experience. While it is more common on non-rainy days, players fishing on rainy days can still catch Sturgeon with some patience. The best strategy for catching Sturgeon consistently is fishing in deep water spots in the Mountain Lake, especially during peak hours in the morning and early afternoon.
For those struggling to catch Stardew Valley Sturgeon, persistence and preparation are key. Fishing during optimal times, using the best available equipment, and maximizing skill boosts will all help increase success rates. While challenging, the rewards of catching and utilizing Sturgeon make it one of the most worthwhile fish to target in Stardew Valley.
Where and When to Find Sturgeon
Stardew Valley Sturgeon is a rare and valuable fish that can only be caught in the Mountain Lake, located northeast of Pelican Town near the Mines. It is one of the few fish that appear exclusively during specific seasons, with availability limited to summer and winter. Sturgeon can be caught between 6 AM and 7 PM, giving players a limited window to fish for it each day. While it can be found in any weather, it is more commonly encountered on rainy days in the summer, making rainy weather an ideal time to maximize catch rates.
Unlike many other fish, Sturgeon has an unpredictable and difficult movement pattern, making it one of the more challenging non-legendary fish to catch. Players who struggle to reel it in can improve their chances by leveling up their fishing skill, using an upgraded fishing rod like the Fiberglass or Iridium Rod, and equipping tackle such as the Trap Bobber to slow down the fish’s escape. Bait can also speed up the bite rate, allowing for more attempts within the available fishing hours.
In addition to being found in the Mountain Lake, Stardew Valley Sturgeon can also be caught on the Wilderness Farm during the summer and winter seasons. This provides an alternative fishing location for players who chose this specific farm layout. The ability to catch Sturgeon on the farm can be useful for those who want to quickly stock a Fish Pond or need multiple Sturgeon for crafting and selling purposes. Sturgeon is a key fish for the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center, making it essential for players working toward completing the Fish Tank restoration. Finishing the Fish Tank bundles provides significant benefits, including the removal of trash from water sources, improving the fishing experience across the valley.
One of the most important uses for Stardew Valley Sturgeon is its ability to produce caviar, a valuable artisan good. When placed in a Fish Pond, Sturgeon produces Sturgeon Roe, which can then be processed in a Preserves Jar to create caviar.
This makes it one of the most profitable fish to keep in a Fish Pond, as caviar sells for a high price and can also be used in cooking or gifted to certain villagers. Caviar is also a required item for the Missing Bundle in the Abandoned JojaMart, which allows players to unlock the Movie Theater as an additional late-game feature. Because of its ability to generate steady profits and contribute to bundle completion, Sturgeon is one of the most useful fish to catch and utilize effectively.
Catching Stardew Valley Sturgeon requires patience and preparation. Players should fish in deep water spots in the Mountain Lake to increase their chances, especially during peak hours in the morning and early afternoon. Using food buffs like Dish o’ The Sea or Trout Soup can provide a temporary boost to fishing skill, making it easier to land the catch. While it is not a legendary fish, its rarity and challenging movement make it one of the more difficult fish to obtain, requiring strategy and persistence. Whether for bundle completion, profit, or caviar production, Sturgeon remains a valuable and rewarding fish to target in Stardew Valley.
How to Catch Sturgeon
Catching a Stardew Valley Sturgeon requires skill, patience, and the right preparation to improve the chances of success. Since Sturgeon is one of the more difficult fish to catch, having a high fishing skill is essential. As a player’s fishing level increases, the green bar in the fishing mini-game becomes larger, making it easier to keep the fish within the catch zone. This is especially important for Sturgeon, as it has an unpredictable and challenging movement pattern that can make it difficult to reel in. Players looking to maximize their fishing efficiency should aim to level up their fishing skill through regular fishing, consuming food that provides temporary skill buffs, or using experience-boosting items.
Sturgeon tend to swim farther from the shore, so casting the fishing line at the maximum possible distance increases the likelihood of encountering one. While it is possible to catch Sturgeon with most rods, the Training Rod cannot be used, as it is limited to catching only basic fish. The best option is the Iridium Rod, which allows the use of both bait and tackle.
Bait helps speed up the rate at which fish bite, making it easier to get multiple attempts within the available fishing hours. Tackle can also make a significant difference when trying to catch a Sturgeon. The Trap Bobber is a useful choice as it slows down the rate at which the catch bar decreases when the fish escapes, while the Cork Bobber increases the size of the catch bar, making it easier to track Sturgeon’s erratic movements. Players who prefer a more aggressive approach can use the Barbed Hook, which helps keep the fishing bar attached to the fish but requires precise control to be effective.
Magic Bait, introduced in the 1.5 update, allows players to bypass seasonal, time, and weather restrictions when fishing. This means that Sturgeon can be caught year-round at any time of the day when using Magic Bait. However, this bait also expands the pool of fish that can be caught, meaning that while it provides flexibility, it can reduce the overall probability of specifically catching a Sturgeon. Players looking to increase their odds without using Magic Bait should focus on fishing in deep water spots in the Mountain Lake, particularly during its active hours between 6 AM and 7 PM in summer and winter.
Food buffs play an important role in improving fishing performance, especially for players struggling to catch Sturgeon. Consuming dishes that provide a fishing skill boost can significantly improve the fishing experience by increasing the size of the green catch bar, making it easier to keep up with the fish’s movement. Some of the best food options for fishing buffs include Chowder, Lobster Bisque, and Seafoam Pudding, with the latter providing the highest fishing boost. Other commonly used fishing foods include Dish o’ The Sea and Trout Soup, which offer a smaller but still useful increase in fishing ability. Players looking to maximize their efficiency should prepare these foods in advance and consume them before beginning their fishing session.
Successfully catching a Stardew Valley Sturgeon requires a combination of skill, preparation, and persistence. By leveling up fishing, using the best available rod and tackle, selecting the right bait, and taking advantage of food buffs, players can increase their chances of reeling in this elusive fish. Since Sturgeon is important for completing the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center and is the only fish that produces roe for making caviar, catching and keeping a supply of Sturgeon is a valuable goal for both completionists and players focused on profit.
Alternative Ways to Obtain Sturgeon
For players who struggle with fishing, there are alternative ways to obtain a Stardew Valley Sturgeon without having to catch one. One reliable method is purchasing it from Krobus, the shadowy merchant who resides in the Sewers. Krobus sells a rotating selection of fish every Wednesday, and there is a chance that Sturgeon may be available for purchase. If Sturgeon appears in his stock, it can be bought for 200g, making it a relatively affordable way to acquire this valuable fish. Since Krobus’ inventory changes each week, players may need to check back regularly to find a Sturgeon for sale.
Another way to obtain Sturgeon is through the Traveling Cart, which sets up shop in the Cindersap Forest on Fridays and Sundays. The Traveling Cart offers a variety of randomly selected goods, including rare and seasonal items that may not be easily obtainable through normal gameplay. Sturgeon is one of the fish that can appear in the cart’s inventory, but its availability is not guaranteed. If Sturgeon is in stock, the price can range anywhere from 600g to 1000g, making it a more expensive option compared to purchasing from Krobus. However, for players who need a Sturgeon quickly or have extra gold to spend, the Traveling Cart can be a useful alternative.
These alternative methods are particularly useful for players who need a Sturgeon for completing the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center, which is required to restore the Fish Tank and remove trash from water sources. They are also beneficial for those who want to stock a Fish Pond with Sturgeon to produce Sturgeon Roe, which can be processed into caviar using a Preserves Jar.
Since caviar is a valuable artisan good that sells for a high price and is required for the Missing Bundle in the Abandoned JojaMart, obtaining a Sturgeon through these methods can be a convenient way to progress in the game without relying on fishing skills. While these purchasing options depend on luck and availability, regularly checking Krobus’ shop and the Traveling Cart can provide an alternative path to acquiring Sturgeon in Stardew Valley.
What to Do with Sturgeon
Stardew Valley Sturgeon is a valuable fish with multiple uses, making it a sought-after catch for players looking to complete bundles, craft artisan goods, and improve relationships. One of its primary uses is in the Community Center, where it is required to complete the Lake Fish Bundle in the Fish Tank. Completing this bundle, along with the others in the Fish Tank set, removes trash from the valley’s waters, making fishing more rewarding by reducing the chances of reeling in debris.
Sturgeon is also one of the most useful fish for a Fish Pond, as it produces Sturgeon Roe, which can be processed into Caviar using a Preserves Jar. Caviar is a high-value artisan good that sells for a substantial profit and is also needed for the Missing Bundle in the Abandoned JojaMart, allowing players to unlock the Movie Theater as a late-game feature. The ability to generate a consistent supply of Sturgeon Roe makes the Fish Pond a popular option for players looking to maximize profits and efficiency.
Sturgeon can also be used as a gift, though it is not widely favored by most villagers. Willy is the only villager who loves receiving Sturgeon, granting a 80-point boost in friendship when gifted to him. While other villagers may be neutral toward it, giving a loved gift is one of the best ways to increase friendship quickly, making Sturgeon a useful choice for players looking to befriend Willy.
In addition to its functional uses, Sturgeon can also be used in cooking.
It is an ingredient in several recipes, including Maki Rolls, Sashimi, and Quality Fertilizer. Maki Rolls and Sashimi can restore health and energy,
while Quality Fertilizer improves soil quality to help crops grow better. These recipes make Sturgeon a practical fish to keep on hand for both cooking and farming needs.
Sturgeon can also be used in tailoring, as it can be combined with Cloth in the Sewing Machine to create a Fishing Vest. This adds a cosmetic option for players who want to incorporate their fishing achievements into their wardrobe.
With its wide range of uses, from Community Center bundles and caviar production to gifting, cooking, and tailoring, Sturgeon remains one of the most versatile fish in Stardew Valley. Whether players seek to complete objectives, increase profits, or craft useful items, catching and utilizing Sturgeon can be a valuable part of their farming and fishing experience.
Sturgeon Prices
The selling price of a Stardew Valley Sturgeon varies based on its quality, making it a valuable fish for players looking to earn gold through fishing. A normal-quality Sturgeon sells for 200g, while a silver-quality Sturgeon increases in value to 250g. Gold-quality Sturgeon sell for 300g, and the highest-tier Iridium-quality Sturgeon reaches 400g.
These prices can be further boosted by selecting the Fisher or Angler professions. The Fisher profession increases the base price of all fish by 25%, raising the value of a normal Sturgeon to 250g, silver to 312g, gold to 375g, and iridium to 500g. The Angler profession provides an even greater boost, increasing fish prices by 50%, making a normal Sturgeon worth 300g, silver 375g, gold 450g, and iridium 600g.
While selling Sturgeon directly can be a quick way to earn gold, many players opt to place them in a Fish Pond to produce Sturgeon Roe, which can then be processed into Caviar using a Preserves Jar. Sturgeon Roe sells for 280g at base value, but once turned into Caviar, it sells for 500g, making it a more profitable option than selling the fish outright. The Artisan profession further increases the price of Caviar by 40%, raising its selling price to 700g, making Fish Ponds one of the best ways to maximize profit from Sturgeon.
In addition to its direct sale value and use in Caviar production, Sturgeon can also be used in cooking, as it is an ingredient in Maki Rolls, Sashimi, and Quality Fertilizer. These items provide additional benefits such as energy restoration and improved crop quality, adding to the fish’s versatility. Players who want to optimize their profits and make the most of their Sturgeon should consider balancing between selling high-quality fish, processing Roe into Caviar, and using Sturgeon for cooking or gifting.
Fish Pond Production
When placed in a Fish Pond, a Stardew Valley Sturgeon will only produce Sturgeon Roe, making it unique compared to other fish that may yield additional items. Sturgeon Roe can be processed in a Preserves Jar to create Caviar, which is a valuable artisan good used for profit and in the Missing Bundle at the Abandoned JojaMart. The initial pond capacity for Sturgeon is three fish, but this can be expanded to ten by completing population quests.
Sturgeon reproduce at a slow rate, with new fish being added approximately every four days when there is available space in the pond. Since Caviar sells for a higher price than raw Sturgeon or Roe, maintaining a Sturgeon Fish Pond is an efficient way to generate consistent income, especially when paired with the Artisan profession, which increases the selling price of Caviar by 40%.
