๐ฃ Complete Fishing Guide
Fishing is one of the most profitable skills in Stardew Valley โ and the fastest way to earn money early on. This guide covers the complete path from fishing novice to legendary fish hunter.
Fishing Basics
Fishing Level Unlocks
| Level |
Unlock |
Description |
| 1 |
Training Rod |
25g, lower quality catch but easier to use |
| 2 |
Bait |
Attach bait to rod to reduce bite time |
| 3 |
Crab Pot Recipe |
Place crab pots in water to catch creatures |
| 4 |
Recycling Machine |
Recycle trash into resources |
| 5 |
Fisher/Gatherer |
Fisher: Fish sell for 25% more / Gatherer: Double crab pot yield |
| 6 |
Spinner + Bait |
Spinner reduces fish struggle time |
| 7 |
Treasure Hunter |
Increases treasure chest spawn rate |
| 8 |
Cork Bobber |
Increases fishing bar size |
| 9 |
Magnet |
Attracts more treasure chests |
| 10 |
Mariner/Pirate |
Mariner: Crab pots catch exclusive fish / Pirate: Double treasure chest chance |
Fishing Rod Recommendations
| Rod |
Price |
Required Level |
Description |
| Bamboo Pole |
Free |
Starting |
Can't attach bait |
| Training Rod |
25g |
1 |
Good for beginners to practice |
| Fiberglass Rod |
1800g |
2 |
Can attach bait |
| Iridium Rod |
7500g |
6 |
Can attach bait + tackle |
| Space Rod |
? |
Late game |
All-purpose rod |
Complete Fish Species List
Spring Fish
| Fish |
Time |
Weather |
Location |
Difficulty |
| Sunfish |
6AM-7PM |
Sun/Rain |
River |
โญ |
| Catfish |
6AM-11PM |
Rain |
River |
โญโญโญ |
| Smallmouth Bass |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
River |
โญโญ |
| Rainbow Trout |
6AM-7PM |
Sun |
River |
โญโญ |
| Salmon |
6AM-11PM |
Sun/Rain |
River |
โญโญ |
| Sardine |
6AM-7PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Anchovy |
6AM-11PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Halibut |
6AM-11AM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Tuna |
6AM-7PM |
Any |
Ocean |
โญโญ |
| Eel |
4PM-2AM |
Rain |
Ocean |
โญโญโญ |
| Bream |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Lake |
โญโญ |
| Bullhead |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Lake |
โญโญ |
Summer Fish
| Fish |
Time |
Weather |
Location |
Difficulty |
| Pike |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
River |
โญโญโญ |
| Sand Eel |
6AM-11PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Red Snapper |
6AM-7PM |
Rain |
Ocean |
โญโญ |
| Tuna |
6AM-7PM |
Any |
Ocean |
โญโญ |
| Red Mullet |
6AM-7PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญโญ |
| Octopus |
6AM-1PM |
Any |
Ocean |
โญโญโญโญ |
| Pufferfish |
12PM-4PM |
Sun |
Ocean |
โญโญโญ |
Fall Fish
| Fish |
Time |
Weather |
Location |
Difficulty |
| Salmon |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
River |
โญโญ |
| Silver Salmon |
6PM-2AM |
Rain |
River |
โญโญ |
| Trout |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
River |
โญโญ |
| Walleye |
6AM-11PM |
Rain |
River |
โญโญโญ |
| Sardine |
6AM-7PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Anchovy |
6AM-11PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญ |
| Deep-sea Fish |
6AM-7PM |
Sun/Rain |
Ocean |
โญโญ |
| Eel |
6AM-7PM |
Any |
Ocean |
โญโญโญ |
| Midnight Carp |
10PM-2AM |
Any |
Lake |
โญโญ |
Winter Fish
| Fish |
Time |
Weather |
Location |
Difficulty |
| Sturgeon |
6AM-7PM |
Any |
Lake |
โญโญโญ |
| Ghostfish |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Lake |
โญโญ |
| Sandfish |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Desert |
โญโญ |
| Scorpion Carp |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Desert |
โญโญ |
| Glacierfish |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Arrowhead Island |
โญโญโญโญโญ |
Legendary Fish (Highest Difficulty)
| Fish |
Season |
Time |
Weather |
Conditions |
| Crimsonfish |
Summer |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Fishing level 5+, East Pier |
| Glacierfish |
Winter |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Fishing level 7+, Arrowhead Island |
| Legend |
Spring |
6AM-11PM |
Rain |
Fishing level 10, Mountain Lake |
| Mutant Carp |
Any |
6AM-11PM |
Any |
Secret Woods |
| Angler |
Fall |
6AM-11PM |
Rain |
Fishing level 10, near JojaMart |
Each legendary fish can only be caught once! Sells for 1500-5000g each.
Fishing Leveling Route
Days 1-3 (Beginner Phase)
Gear: Bamboo Pole
Location: Ocean Pier
Strategy: Catch Sardines + Anchovies (easy to catch)
Income: 500-800g/day
Goal: Reach Fishing Level 2
Days 4-7 (Apprentice Phase)
Gear: Fiberglass Rod + Bait
Location: Lake/River
Strategy: Bait speeds up bite time
Income: 1000-2000g/day
Goal: Reach Fishing Level 5
Days 8-14 (Skilled Phase)
Gear: Iridium Rod + Bait + Tackle
Location: Rotate River + Ocean + Lake
Strategy: Catch high-value fish for the season
Income: 3000-5000g/day
Goal: Reach Fishing Level 10
Profitable Fishing Recommendations
Spring
โญ Most Profitable: Catfish (Rainy days, River)
Price: 200g+ Difficulty: Medium
Pair with: Copper pan coffee + Trap Bobber
Summer
โญ Most Profitable: Octopus (6AM-1PM, Ocean)
Price: 300g+ Difficulty: Extreme
Recommended: Iridium Rod + Trap Bobber
Fall
โญ Most Profitable: Walleye (Rainy night)
Price: 300g+ Difficulty: Hard
Pair with: Spinner + Bait
Winter
โญ Most Profitable: Glacierfish (Seasonal Legendary)
Price: 1000g+ Difficulty: Extreme
One chance โ make sure you catch it!
Fishing Tips
Fast Leveling Method
1. Carp (Lake) + Sunfish give 50 XP โ catch 50 to level up
2. Lucky days (TV fortune) increase treasure chest chance
3. Perfect catches give +20% bonus XP
4. Eat Fish Stew (+1 Fishing Level)
5. Rainy days = more rare fish
Best Equipment Combo
Iridium Rod + Bait + Trap Bobber
= 50% faster bite time + 33% slower fish escape speed
Legendary Fish Tips
- Save in advance (after waking up)
- Eat Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing Level)
- Use Trap Bobber (not Lead Bobber)
- Stay calm โ steady hands matter most
๐ Where to Buy
๐ฎ Steam ๐
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