In Stardew Valley, players can use a fishing rod to catch fish from bodies of water.
Some fish will only spawn during specific weather, seasons, and times of the day.
When fishing, your character will hook the fish and trigger a minigame.
You must fill the catch meter by keeping the fish-like icon inside the green bar, both moving up and down the vertical space.
The best fish to catch and sell in Stardew Valley is the Lava Eel, found in Ginger Island’s volcano or on floor 100 inside the Mines.
It’s worth 700g when sold without perks and as normal quality.
With the Angler profession, you may earn between 1,050g and 2,100g, depending on its quality.
10. Midnight Carp
- Location: Mountain Lake, Cindersap Forest pond, Ginger Island pond & river
- Time & Season: 10 PM – 2 AM during Fall and Winter. If fishing on Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Used in Seafoam Pudding recipe
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 150g | 187g | 225g |
| Silver | 187g | 233g | 280g |
| Gold | 225g | 281g | 337g |
| Iridium | 300g | 375g | 450g |
The Midnight Carp has a mixed behavior pattern and gives between 21-33 Fishing XP depending on its quality.
The Travelling Cart can sell the Midnight Carp between 450g up to 1,000g.
The Midnight Carp is a nocturnal fish found in the Mountain Lake or Cindersap Forest during Fall and Winter between 10 PM and 2 AM.
You can also catch the Midnight Carp in Ginger Island’s North and West areas on freshwater.
In addition, if you started your game on any non-standard farm map, you could fish the Midnight Carp in the same conditions.
All villagers either feel neutral, dislike or hate the Midnight Carp.
There’s a chance you may need to catch or give a Midnight Carp as part of an Item Delivery or Aquatic Overpopulation quest.
It is one of the required fish for the Seafoam Pudding recipe, food that increases your Fishing skill by 4 for 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
When placing a Midnight Carp inside a Fish Pond, there are three quests you need to complete if you want to increase its capacity.
- 1st quest will start at 3 Midnight Carps and ask for 10 Bug Meat, 2-3 Clay, 2-3 Green Algae, or 5 Slimes.
- 2nd quest will trigger at 5 Midnight Carps and will ask for 2-3 Common Mushrooms, 1-2 Earth Crystals, or 1 Limestone
- 3rd and final quest will begin at 7 Midnight Carps, and they may ask for 1 Mudstone, 1 Snail, or 5 Wild Bait.
9. Tiger Trout
- Price Range: 150g – 300g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 225g – 450g
- Location: River
- Time & Season: 6 AM – 7 PM during Fall and Winter
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Required for River Fish Bundle
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 150g | 187g | 225g |
| Silver | 187g | 233g | 280g |
| Gold | 225g | 281g | 337g |
| Iridium | 300g | 375g | 450g |
The Tiger Trout is a fish available from 6 AM to 7 PM during Fall and Winter, and you can catch it in Pelican Town or Cindersap Forest’s river during any weather.
You may find it in Krobus’ shop on Wednesday for 200g.
The Tiger Trout has a dart behavior and will grant between 23 and 35 Fishing XP, depending on its quality.
If starting with regular bundles, the Tiger Trout is one of the fish required for completing the River Fish Bundle for the Community Center’s Fish Tank. When completing this bundle, you get 30 Bait.
Willy is the only villager who likes receiving a Tiger Trout as a gift.
On occasions, you need to fish Tiger Trouts to complete a Fishing quest from Willy during Fall or Winter.
In the Sewing Machine, you can use a Tiger Trout to create a dyeable Fish Shirt.
You can place 10 Tiger Trouts in a Fish Pond immediately since they cannot reproduce.
It also means you won’t need to complete any quests to maximize its capacity.
8. Stingray
- Price Range: 180g – 360g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 270g – 540g
- Location: Inside Pirate Cove at Ginger Island
- Time & Season: Any hour, any season
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: None
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 180g | 225g | 270g |
| Silver | 225g | 281g | 337g |
| Gold | 270g | 337g | 405g |
| Iridium | 360g | 450g | 540g |
The Stingray is a fish added in the 1.5 update, available all day in Ginger Island’s Pirate Cove regardless of season and weather.
To access this area, you must unlock the Island Resort to clean up the debris blocking the path.
A Stingray has a sinker behavior and will give between 29 and 41 Fishing XP, depending on its quality.
No villager likes or loves receiving a Stingray as a gift. In the Sewing Machine, you can use a Stingray to create a dyeable Sailor Shirt.
When placing a Stingray inside a Fish Pond, you’ll get 2 quests to increase its maximum capacity.
- The 1st quest triggers at 3 Stingrays and requires 7 Cinder Shards to augment capacity to 5.
- The 2nd and final quest happens with 5 Stingrays, and will require 1 Dragon Tooth to maximize its capacity to 10.
7. Sturgeon
- Price Range: 200g – 400g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 300g – 600g
- Location: Mountain Lake
- Time & Season: 6 AM – 7 PM during Summer and Winter
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Required for Lake Fish Bundle, Willy’s loved gift
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 200g | 250g | 300g |
| Silver | 250g | 312g | 375g |
| Gold | 300g | 375g | 450g |
| Iridium | 400g | 500g | 600g |
The Sturgeon is a Mountain Lake fish available during Summer and Winter between 6 AM and 7 PM. You may catch the Sturgeon in any weather.
However, your chances increase if it’s a rainy day—another variable that may also increase your chances of catching a Sturgeon is casting your fishing rod farther from shore.
A Sturgeon will have a mixed behavior during the fishing minigame and will give you between 29 and 41 Fishing XP, depending on its quality.
You will need a Sturgeon to complete the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center’s Fish Tank.
Once completed, you will receive a Dressed Spinner as a reward.
You can use the Sturgeon in the Sewing Machine to create a Fishing Vest or use it as a blue dye in the dye pots inside Emily and Haley’s home.
Willy is the only villager who loves receiving a Sturgeon as a gift.
When placing Sturgeons inside a Fish Pond, there are 4 quests that may trigger to increase their maximum capacity.
- 1st quest triggers with one Sturgeon and will ask for 1 Diamond to increase capacity to 3.
- 2nd quest happens when there are 3 Sturgeon inside the Fish Pondo, which requires 1 Jelly, 2 Maple Syrup, or 1 Pickle to increase capacity up to 5.
- 3rd quest happens with 5 Sturgeons, which demands 3 Omni Geodes to increase capacity up to 7 fish after completion.
- 4th and final quest will happen when you reach 7 Sturgeon and requires 1 Nautilus Shell to reach a Fish Pond’s maximum capacity of 10.
6. Catfish
- Price Range: 200g – 400g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 300g – 600g
- Location: River, Secret Woods’ pond, Witch’s Swamp
- Time & Season: 6 AM – 12 AM during Spring and Fall. If fishing in Secret Woods, it’s available during Spring and Summer
- Weather: Rainy
- Additional Notes: Required for River Fish Bundle, Willy’s loved gift
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 200g | 250g | 300g |
| Silver | 250g | 312g | 375g |
| Gold | 300g | 375g | 450g |
| Iridium | 400g | 500g | 600g |
The Catfish in Stardew Valley is a fish you can catch in the Secret Woods, the Witch’s Swamp, or the river.
You can also grab it inside your farm if you start with the Riverlands Farm or Hill-top Farm.
Catfish’s season availability will depend on the area since it’s available during Spring and Fall during rainy days in the river or during rainy days in Summer when fishing at the swamp or Secret Woods.
You need a Catfish to complete the River Fish Bundle for the Community Center’s Fish Tank.
You may also need a Catfish to complete a random Item Delivery or Fishing Quest from the “Help Wanted” board outside Pierre’s General Store.
Willy is the only villager who loves receiving a Catfish as a gift.
When placed inside a Fish Pond, Catfish can trigger 3 quests to increase maximum capacity until reaching 10 fish.
- 1st quest happens when you have 3 Catfish and require 2 Amethyst, 3 Copper Bars, 3 Red Mushrooms, or 2 Topaz to increase capacity up to 5 fish.
- 2nd quest happens when you have 5 Catfish inside the Fish Pond and will require 10 Bat Wing, 2 Earth Crystals, 5 Mixed Seeds, or 2-3 Purple Mushrooms to reach a capacity of 7 fish after completion.
- 3rd and final quest happens at 7 Catfish inside the Fish Pond and requires 1 Diamond, 3 Iron Bars, 1 Mayonnaise, or 1 Pickle to reach the maximum capacity of 10 fish.
5. Pufferfish
- Price Range: 200g – 400g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 300g – 600g
- Location: Ocean, Ginger Island’s Ocean
- Time & Season: 12 PM – 4 PM during Summer. If fishing in Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons
- Weather: Rainy
- Additional Notes: Required for Specialty Fish Bundle, Abigail’s loved gift, required for Aquatic Research quest
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 200g | 250g | 300g |
| Silver | 250g | 312g | 375g |
| Gold | 300g | 375g | 450g |
| Iridium | 400g | 500g | 600g |
The Pufferfish is an ocean fish available for catching on sunny summer days between 12 PM and 4 PM at Pelican Town’s beach.
It’s also available during all seasons in Ginger Island’s oceans. The Travelling Cart may also sell between 600g and 1,000g at random.
The Pufferfish in Stardew Valley has a floater behavior and gives between 29 – 41 Fishing XP depending on its quality.
You need a Pufferfish to complete the Specialty Fish Bundle in the Community Center’s Fish Tank.
Your character will receive 5 Dish O’ The Sea after completing it.
In the Sewing Machine, you can use the Pufferfish to create a dyeable Sailor Shirt or use it as yellow dye at Emily and Haley’s home’s dye pots.
Abigail is the only villager who loves receiving a Pufferfish as a gift.
When placed inside a Fish Pond, Pufferfish can trigger 3 quests to increase maximum capacity until reaching 10 fish.
- 1st quest happens when reaching 3 Pufferfish and requires 3 Driftwood, 1 Frozen Geode, or 1-2 Seaweed to increase capacity up to 5 fish.
- 2nd quest happens when you have 5 Pufferfish inside the Fish Pond and will require 2 Clams or 2 Coral for expanding to a capacity of 7 fish after completion.
- 3rd and final quest happens at 7 Pufferfish and requires 2 Aquamarine, 1 Mussel, or 2 Sea Urchins to reach the maximum capacity of 10 fish.
4. Super Cucumber
- Price Range: 250g – 500g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 375g – 750g
- Location: Ocean, Ginger Island’s Ocean
- Time & Season: 6 PM – 2 AM during Summer and Fall. If fishing in Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Rasmodius’ loved gif
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 250g | 312g | 375g |
| Silver | 312g | 390g | 468g |
| Gold | 375g | 468g | 562g |
| Iridium | 500g | 625g | 750g |
The Super Cucumber is a creature you can catch during Summer and Fall between 6 PM and 2 AM in the Ocean.
You may also find it all seasons inside Ginger Island’s Pirate Cove.
The Super Cucumber has a sinker behavior and will give you between 29 and 41 Fishing XP depending on its quality.
If you want to unlock the ??HMTGF?? statue, you need to place a Super Cucumber in the brown box located within the fenced area north of the Blacksmith.
The Wizard is the only villager who loves receiving a Super Cucumber as a gift.
You can use the Super Cucumber in the Sewing Machine to create a dyeable Tube Top or create purple dye in the dye pots.
When you place a Super Cucumber inside a Fish Pond, unlike other fish in Stardew Valley, it will take 5 days to reproduce.
You will start with a capacity of 3 Super Cucumber and have access to 3 quests to increase its maximum capacity:
- 1st quest happens at 3 Super Cucumber and requires 3 Coral, 1 Honey, 1 Oyster, or 3 Refined Quartz to increase its capacity to 5.
- 2nd quest happens at 5 Super Cucumbers, and you need to provide 1 Dried Starfish, 2 Emeralds, 2-3 Omni Geodes, or 2-3 Purple Mushrooms to increase capacity up to 7.
- 3rd and final quest happen when you reach 7 Super Cucumber, and you’ll need 1 Diamond, 3 Gold Bars, 1 Iridium
3. Stonefish
- Price Range: 300g – 600 g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 450g – 900g
- Location: Mines’ Floor 20
- Time & Season: Any hour, any season
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Can give Geode or Diamond inside Fish Pond
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 300g | 375g | 450g |
| Silver | 375g | 468g | 562g |
| Gold | 450g | 562g | 675g |
| Iridium | 600g | 750g | 900g |
The Stonefish is a fish you can catch while fishing on the Mines’ floor 20 regardless of time, weather and season.
The Stonefish is one of the two fish in Stardew Valley that is inedible and can only be used in a cooking recipe for consumption.
It has a sinker behavior and will give between 24 and 36 Fishing XP, depending on its quality.
You can use the Stonefish in the Sewing Machine to create a Fishing Hat. No villager likes or loves receiving a Stonefish as a gift.
When you place a Stonefish inside a Fish Pond, unlike most fish in Stardew Valley, it will take 5 days to reproduce.
Just like Sturgeons, there are 4 quests you can complete to increase the Fish Pond’s maximum capacity:
- 1st quest triggers with 1 Stonefish, and will ask for 10 Copper Ore to increase capacity to 3 fish
- 2nd quest happens when there are 3 Stonefish inside the Fish Pond, which requires 5 Earth Crystals to increase capacity up to 5.
- 3rd quest happens with 5 Stonefish, where you need to give 10 Coal or 5 Geodes to increase capacity up to 7 fish after completion.
- 4th and final quest will happen when you reach 7 Stonefish and requires 4 Copper Bars or 5 Refined Quartz to reach a Fish Pond’s maximum capacity of 10.
2. Ice Pip
- Price Range: 500g – 1,000g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 750g – 1,500g
- Location: Mines’ Floor 60
- Time & Season: Any hour, any season
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Can give Frozen Geode or Diamond inside Fish Pond
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+25%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 500g | 625g | 750g |
| Silver | 625g | 781g | 937g |
| Gold | 750g | 937g | 1,125g |
| Iridium | 1,000g | 1,250g | 1,500g |
You can catch an Ice Pip by fishing at the Mines’ floor 60 at any time, regardless of season or weather.
The Ice Pip has a dart behavior and will give the player between 31 and 43 XP, depending on its quality.
You can increase your chances of getting an Ice Pip with your fishing level and whether you’re fishing at least 5 tiles away from land.
No villager likes or loves receiving an Ice Pip as a gift.
You can use the Ice Pip in the Sewing Machine to create a non-dyeable Fishing Hat or use it in the dye pots to use it as blue dye.
When placed inside a Fish Pond, the Ice Pip can trigger 4 quests to increase maximum capacity until reaching 10 fish.
- 1st quest happens when reaching 1 Ice Pip and requires 10 Iron Ore to increase capacity up to 3 fish.
- 2nd quest happens when you have 3 fish and requires 5 Frozen Tears for expanding to a capacity of 5 Ice Pips after completion.
- 3rd quest happens at 5 Ice Pip and requires 10 Coal, 1 Crystal Fruit, or 5 Frozen Geodes to have space for 7 fish.
- 4th and final quest happens when you reach 7 Ice Pip, and you’ll need 4 Iron Bars or 10 Refined Quartz to get the final maximum capacity of 10 fish.
1. Lava Eel
- Price Range: 700g – 1,400g
- Angler Profession Price Range: 1,050g – 2,100g
- Location: Mines’ Floor 100, Ginger Island’s Volcano Caldera
- Time & Season: Any hour, any season
- Weather: Any
- Additional Notes: Required for Master Fisher’s Bundle
| Quality | Base Price | With Fisher Perk (+50%) | With Angler Perk (+50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 700g | 875g | 1,050g |
| Silver | 875g | 1,093g | 1,312g |
| Gold | 1,050g | 1,312g | 1,575g |
| Iridium | 1,400g | 1,750g | 2,100g |
The Lava Eel is the best fish to catch in Stardew Valley due to its base price and valuable roes.
You may acquire a Lava Eel by fishing at the Mines’ floor 100 or at Ginger Island’s Volcano Caldera, where the forge is also located.
There are no weather or time restrictions for catching a Lava Eel in Stardew Valley.
The Lava Eel is a highly-difficult fish to catch following a mixed behavior pattern, giving between 33 and 45 Fishing XP to the player depending on its quality.
No villager likes or loves receiving a Lava Eel as a gift.
If you remix the Master Fisher’s Bundle in the Community Center’s Fish Tank, you will need a Lava Eel to complete it.
You can use a Lava Eel in the Sewing Machine to create a Logo Cap or use it in the dye pots as a red dye.
When placed inside a Fish Pond, the Lava Eel can trigger 4 quests to increase the maximum capacity until reaching 10 fish.
Unlike most fish in Stardew Valley, the Lava Eel takes 5 in-game days to reproduce.
- 1st quest happens when you have 1 Lava Eel and requires 3 Fire Quartz to increase capacity up to 3 fish.
- 2nd quest triggers when you have 3 Lava Eels and requires 1 Basalt, 2 Diamonds, or 1 Dwarf Scroll III for expanding to a capacity of 5 after completion.
- 3rd quest happens at 5 Lava Eel and requires 2 Mega Bombs to have space for 7.
- 4th and final quest happens when you reach 7 Lava Eels, and you’ll need 1 Iridium Bar to get the final maximum capacity of 10 fish.
Also learn about The Mountain Lake and The Available Fish.
Read more:
| Fish | Normal Price Range | Location | Time & Season | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Carp | 150g – 300g | Mountain Lake Cindersap Forest pond Ginger Island pond & river | 10 PM – 2 AM during Fall and Winter If fishing on Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons | Any |
| Tiger Trout | 150g – 300g | River | 6 AM – 7 PM during Fall and Winter | Any |
| Stingray | 180g – 360g | Inside Pirate Cove at Ginger Island | Any hour, any season | Any |
| Sturgeon | 200g – 400g | Mountain Lake | 6 AM – 7 PM during Summer and Winter | Any |
| Catfish | 200g – 400g | River Secret Woods Pond Witch’s Swamp | 6 AM – 12 AM during Spring and Fall If fishing in Secret Woods, it’s available during Spring and Summer | Rainy |
| Pufferfish | 200g – 400g | Ocean Ginger Island’s Ocean | 12 PM – 4 PM during Summer If fishing in Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons | Sunny |
| Super Cucumber | 250g – 500g | Ocean Ginger Island oceans | 6 PM – 2 AM during Summer and Fall If fishing in Ginger Island, it’s available all seasons | Any |
| Stonefish | 300g – 600 g | Mines’ Floor 20 | Any hour, any season | Any |
| Ice Pip | 500g – 1,000g | Mines’ Floor 60 | Any hour, any season | Any |
| Lava Eel | 700g – 1,400g | Mines’ Floor 100 Volcano Caldera | Any hour, any season | Any |
Stardew Valley Fishing FAQ
Why Can’t I Catch Fish in Stardew Valley?
You will receive your first fishing rod starting Spring 2 on Year 1 when receiving a letter from Willy inviting you to visit him at the beach.
After the cutscene, you will receive a Bamboo Pole.
If you want to decrease your chance of grabbing trash while fishing in Stardew Valley, you should prioritize bodies of water outside your farm if you’re starting with the standard farm.
If you’re having issues keeping the fish-like icon inside the green bar, it’s essential to get accustomed to clicking the Tool button to go up and release to go down the vertical space without making the bar bounce abruptly at the bottom.
How Do I Improve My Fishing Skill in Stardew Valley?
In Stardew Valley, you should always aim for a perfect catch by not letting the fish-like icon leave the green rectangle until the meter is complete.
Combined with a Quality Bobber, you can increase the catcher fish’s size and quality chances.
If you want to improve your Fishing level fast, it’s also essential to work towards unlocking the Iridium Rod, which is available when hitting Fishing level 6.
Another alternative is to use Crab Pots, which require Bait to catch fish or trash the following day. Picking up each full Crab Pot gives 5XP regardless of acquiring trash or grabbing any loot available in freshwater or saltwater.
Can I Catch a Fish Outside of Season in Stardew Valley?
In Stardew Valley’s 1.5 update, the Magic Bait was introduced as part of Qi’s Secret Room shop.
When using Magic Bait, you may catch any fish from that body of water regardless of time, weather, or season.
You can buy 20 Magic Bait from Qi’s Secret Room in Ginger Island for 5 Qi Gems or get the recipe for 20 Qi Gems.
Magic Bait is equipped as any other bait in a Fiberglass Rod or Iridium Rod.
While it’s also possible to use Magic Bait inside Crab Pots, they don’t affect the caught loot, and it’s best to use them for fishing.
Does Distance Matter While Fishing in Stardew Valley?
In Stardew Valley, each water tile has a Fishing Zone attached.
You increase your chance of catching bigger and higher quality fish by casting the fishing rod at least 5 tiles away from any surface.
Read more: Who to Marry in Stardew Valley?