Stardew Valley Fishing: How to fish, all spring, summer, fall and winter fish listed, and legendary fishing explained

Fishing is both a key skill and money maker in Stardew Valley. You can catch fish by using either a fishing rod or by placing a crab pot in the water.

Each season – spring, summer, fall and winter – has a variety of fish you catch. Once you’ve mastered fishing, there are even five legendary fish for you to hunt down and capture.

You can breed fish in fish ponds on your farm, which will not only provide you with more fish, but a variety of useful items.

Fishing also plays an important part in completing the Community Center bundles, as the Fish Tank bundle is all about collecting the various fish that live across the valley; from the lakes deep within the mines to the forest river.

On this page:

Mục Lục

How to fish in Stardew Valley explained

As long as you have a fishing rod in Stardew Valley, then you can fish in any body of water you encounter. Fishing itself comes in the form of a mini-game that is divided into two parts – casting and catching.

Casting

Casting begins the moment you decide to use your fishing rod and decides how far you throw your fishing line out across the water.

The length of your cast is determined by the small bar that appears above your hand when you initiate this action. Within this bar you’ll find a line moving back and forth, from red to green.

Ideally you want to cast when the bar is as green as possible. This will give you a longer casting distance, with the possibility of achieving a ‘Max’ cast. You’ll know when a cast is ‘Max,’ because the word will appear on the screen.

Wait for the bar to be green before you cast.

Try to have a long cast distance as possible, because the length of your cast does have a slight influence over the fish you cast and it’s quality.

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for a pool of bubbles in the water.

Landing your cast in a pool of bubbles will encourage the fish to bite quicker and increase your chances of catching a rarer type of fish.

Once you’ve cast your fishing line, all you have to do is sit back and wait for an exclamation mark (!) to appear above your avatar’s head. When you see that !, it’s time to reel your fish in. If you do this successfully, ‘Hit’ will appear on the screen.

Seeing hit means you’re about to reel in a fish.

Catching

With your fish on the line, the fishing mini-game will truly begin.

The interface for this mini-game is divided into two important sections – the progress bar on the right and the fish bar on the left.

The progress bar is on the right, while the fish bar is on the left.

The progress bar marks how close you are to catching the fish; green means you’re nearly there, while red means you’re about to lose your prey. This bar can increase and decrease throughout the mini-game, so make sure you keep an eye on it.

The fish bar contains the fish you’re trying to catch, which will move up and down by the bar at a speed determined by how difficult it is to catch. This bar also contains a green rectangle, called the ‘Fishing Bar,’ that you control.

The ‘Fishing Bar’ is controlled by pressing, holding and releasing the ‘Use Tool’ button. Pressing will make the ‘Fishing Bar’ raise, holding will keep it in position and releasing will make the bar fall.

To catch the fish you need to keep it within the ‘Fishing Bar’, until the progress bar, on your right, is full.

If you manage to catch a fish without having it leave the ‘Fishing Bar,’ then you’ll achieve a ‘Perfect Catch!’ This will increase both the experience you receive from catching the fish and the quality of the fish itself.

The trick to catching fish in Stardew Valley is to learn the pattern of their movements. Some fish will move very fast, bouncing up and down the bar, while others move more slowly, before making a sudden movement. The more you fish, the more accustomed you’ll come to this rhythm and the easier fishing will become.

Sometimes a treasure chest may appear during this mini-game. If you want this treasure you need to make sure it’s within the boundaries of the ‘Fishing Bar,’ until a small, separate progress bar is filled.

Fill in the Treasure Chest progress bar to unlock it.

Doing this will unlock the treasure chest, but only if you catch the fish. These chests can contain artifacts for the museum to copper ore, so it’s always a good idea to try and collect them.

Fishing Rods and Tackle in Stardew Valley explained

You can’t go fishing without a rod and, in Stardew Valley, there are four for you to choose from. These fishing rods are:

Training Rod
Bamboo Rod
Fiberglass Rod – can equip bait – requires Fishing Level 2
Iridium Rod – can equip bait and tackle – requires Fishing Level 6

Willy will give you a Bamboo Rod.

Even though it’s the easiest to use, don’t waste your time using the Training Rod, because it can only commonly found fish. Instead, use the Bamboo Rod that you receive from Willy after receiving his letter on the 2nd of Spring, until you unlock the Fiberglass Rod or Iridium Rod.

Both of these rods allow you to attach bait, which makes it easier to attach fish when you’re casting. The Iridium Rod, however, is far superior, because you can equip it with tackle.

There are seven different types of tackle that you can attach to the Iridium Rod and each one provides a different bonus. This tackle and the bonuses they provide are:

Barbed Hook – causes the ‘Fishing Bar’ to cling to the fish you’re trying to catch
Cork Bobber – slightly increases the size of the ‘Fishing Bar’
Dressed Spinner – encourages fish to bite on your line when casting
Lead Bobber – prevents ‘Fishing Bar’ from bouncing when dropped
Spinner – slightly encourages fish to bite on your line when casting
Trap Bobber – slows down the decrease rate of the catch progress bar
Treasure Hunter – increases chance of finding treasure chests

Each tackle lasts for 20 uses and, once it’s broken, you can either craft or buy a new one from Willy’s Fish Shop on the beach.

Tackle can greatly improve your fishing, from making it slightly easier to helping you improve the quality of your catch. The Dressed Spinner, for example, will help you increase your profits, by helping you catch more fish in a day.

Tackle is especially essential when hunting down the Legendary Fish, because they can be very hard to reel in. The Trap Bobber is a great choice, because it helps sustain your progress bar.

You can buy new fishing tackle from Willy’s Fish Shop.

Fishing Skill and Levels in Stardew Valley explained

Every time you use a crab pot, catch an item or fish in Stardew Valley, you’re slowly increasing your Fishing Skill and your progress is marked by your Fishing Level.

There are ten Fishing Levels in total and each one will provide you with a new bonus – be it a new crafting recipe or unlocking a new item. The size of the green rectangle in the fishing mini-game increases alongside your level.

You begin at Fishing Level one.

At Fishing Level five, you’ll be asked to choose between two professions – Fisher or Trapper.

Fisher will provide you with additional bonuses when catching fish with a rod, while Trapper grants you crab pot related bonuses.

When you reach Fishing Level 10, you’ll be able to unlock a second bonus for your chosen profession.

Below you’ll find the various unlocks for each fishing level, including the profession bonuses:

Fishing Level 1

Casting distance increased by one tile

Fishing Level 2

Fiberglass Rod and Bait now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Bait unlocked

Fishing Level 3

Crab Pots now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Crab Pot unlocked
Recipe for Dish o’ The Sea unlocked

Fishing Level 4

Casting distance increased by one tile
Crafting recipe for Recycling Machine unlocked

Fishing Level 5

Choose between these two professions:

Fisher – fish will now sell for 25% more
Trapper – resources required to craft crab pots reduced (Becomes 25 wood and 2 copper bars)

Fishing Level 10 with both profession bonuses unlocked.

Fishing Level 6

Iridium Rod, Lead Bobber, Spinner and Trap Bobbler now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Spinner unlocked
Crafting recipe for Trap Bobber unlocked

Fishing Level 7

Cork Bobber and Treasure Hunter lure now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Cork Bobber unlocked
Crafting recipe for Treasure Hunter lure unlocked

Fishing Level 8

Casting distance increased by one tile
Barbed Hook and Dressed Spinner now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Barbed Hook unlocked
Crafting recipe for Dressed Spinner unlocked
Crafting recipe for Worm Bin unlocked

Fishing Level 9

Magnet now purchasable from Willy’s Fish Shop
Crafting recipe for Magnet unlocked
Recipe for Seafoam Pudding

Fishing Level 10

At Fishing Level Ten you can pick an additional bonus depending on which profession you picked:

Fisher:

Angler – fish will now sell for 50% more
Pirate – chance of uncovering treasure while fishing doubled

Trapper

Luremaster – crab pots no longer require bait
Mariner – rubbish items will no longer appear in crab pots

One of the main goals in Stardew Valley is to complete the Community Center bundles or, if you’re corporate minded, you can buy a JojaMart Membership. Fishing is a great way to earn money in Stardew Valley, especially if you decide to use crab pots and ponds. Throughout the year you’ll also be able to take in a variety of festivals, including the Egg Festival, Stardew Valley Fair and the Night Market.

Any Season Fish in Stardew Valley

Below you’ll find all the fish that can always be caught, no matter the season, in Stardew Valley:

NameLocationTimeWeather

Blue DiscusGinger Island:
Pond
RiversAnyAny
BreamRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersnap Forest6pm to 2amAny
BullheadMountain LakeAnyAny
CarpMountain Lake
Secret Woods Pond
The SewersAnyAny
ChubCindersnap Forest River
Mountain LakeAnyAny
GhostfishMines – Level 20 and 60
Dropped by GhostsAnyAny
Ice PipRequires Fishing Level 5
Mines – Level 60Any Any
Largemouth BassMountain Lake6am to 7pmAny
Lava EelRequires Fishing Level 7
Mines – Level 100AnyAny
LionfishGinger Island:
OceanAnyAny
SandfishThe Desert6am to 8pmAny
Scorpion CarpRequires Fishing Level 4
The Desert6am to 8pmAny
SlimejackMutant Bug LairAny Any
StingrayGinger Island:
Pirate CoveAnyAny
StonefishRequires Fishing Level 3
Mines – Level 20AnyAny
Void SalmonWitch’s SwampAny Any
WoodskipSecret Woods PondAny Any

Stardew Valley Spring fish list

Here are the fish that will appear, alongside the year round fish, in spring:

NameLocationTimeWeather

Anchovy OceanAnyAny
CatfishRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Secret Woods Pond
Witch’s Swamp6am to 12amRain
EelOcean4pm to 2amRain
FlounderOcean6am to 8pmAny
HalibutOcean6am to 11am
7pm to 2amAny
HerringOceanAnyAny
SardineOcean6am to 7pmAny
ShadRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest9am to 2amRain
Smallmouth BassRiver in Pelican Town
Cindersap Forest PondAnyAny
SunfishRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmSun
Wind

Stardew Valley Summer fish list

Alongside the year round fish, you’ll be able to catch the following fish throughout summer in Stardew Valley:

NameLocationTimeWeather

CatfishRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Secret Woods Pond
Witch’s Swamp6am to 12amRain
DoradoRiver – Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmAny
FlounderOcean6am to 8pmAny
HalibutOcean6am to 11am
7pm to 2amAny
OctopusOcean6am to 1pmAny
PikeRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap ForestAny Any
PufferfishOcean12pm to 4pmSun
Rainbow TroutRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Mountain Lake6am to 7pmSun
Red MulletOcean6am to 7pmAny
Red SnapperOcean6am to 7pmRain
ShadRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest9am to 2amRain
SturgeonMountain Lake6am to 7pmAny
SunfishRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmSun
Wind
Super CucumberOcean6pm to 2amAny
TilapiaOcean6am to 2pmAny
TunaOcean6am to 7pmAny

Stardew Valley Fall fish list

During fall in Stardew Valley, you’ll be able to catch, as well as the year round fish, the following fish:

NameLocationTimeWeather

AlbacoreOcean6am to 11am
6pm to 2amAny
AnchovyOceanAnyAny
CatfishRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Witch’s Swamp6am to 12amRain
EelOcean4pm to 2amRain
Midnight CarpMountain Lake
Cindersap Forest Pond10pm to 2amAny
Red SnapperOcean6am to 7pmRain
SalmonRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmAny
SardineOcean6am to 7pmAny
Sea CucumberOcean6am to 7pm Any
ShadRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest9am to 2amRain
Smallmouth BassRiver – in Pelican Town
Cindersap Forest PondAnyAny
Super Cucumber Ocean6pm to 2amAny
Tiger TroutRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmAny
TilapiaOcean6am to 2pmAny
WalleyeRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Cindersap Forest Pond
Mountain Lake12pm to 2amRain

Stardew Valley Winter fish list

Below you’ll find the fish that, alongside the all year round fish, that you can caught throughout winter in Stardew Valley:

NameLocationTimeWeather

AlbacoreOcean6am to 11am
6pm to 2amAny
HalibutOcean6am to 11am
7pm to 2amAny
HerringOceanAny Any
LingcodRiver- in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Mountain LakeAny Any
Midnight CarpMountain Lake
Cindersap Forest Pond10pm to 2amAny
PerchRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Cindersap Forest Pond
Mountain LakeAny Any
PikeRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Cindersap Forest PondAny Any
Red MulletOcean6am to 7pmAny
Red SnapperOcean6am to 7pmRain
(Use Rain Totem)
SardineOcean6am to 7pmAny
Sea CucumberOcean6am to 7pmAny
SquidOcean6pm to 2amAny
SturgeonMountain Lake6am to 7pmAny
Tiger TroutRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest6am to 7pmAny
TunaOcean6am to 7pmAny
WalleyeRiver – in both Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest
Cindersap Forest Pond
Mountain Lake12pm to 2amRain
(Use Rain Totem)

Legendary fish in Stardew Valley explained

Hidden beneath the waters of Stardew Valley, there are five legendary fish waiting to test your skill at fishing.

Each fish can be found in a specific location and will test your reaction time in the fishing minigame. All, except the Mutant Carp, require you to have a specific fishing level, or higher, to catch it.

You’ll know when you have a legendary fish on the line, because the little fish in the mini-game will be wearing a hat.

If the fish has a hat, then its a legendary.

There is only one of each legendary fish per save file in Stardew Valley, so decide carefully what you want to do with yours – do you want to sell it for a nice lump of cash or are you keeping it for bragging rights?

NameLocationSeasonTimeWeather

AnglerRequires level 3 Fishing
North of JojaMart on the wooden plank bridgeFallAnyAny
CrimsonfishRequires level 5 Fishing
East pier on the BeachSummerAnyAny
GlacierfishRequires level 6 Fishing
South end of the arrowhead shaped island in Cindersap ForestWinterAnyAny
LegendRequires level 10 Fishing
The Mountain Lake near the underwater logSpringAny Rain
Mutant CarpThe SewersAny AnyAny

Night Market Fish in Stardew Valley explained

The Night Market runs on the 15th, 16th and 17th of Winter at The Beach from 5pm to 2am. There are a variety of activities for you to partake in during this event, but the fishing related one is the Submarine Ride.

The Submarine Ride runs between 5pm to 11pm and will take you on a deep sea fishing tour for 1,000g.

The Submarine Ride can be found on the far left of the market.

The journey to the sea floor takes 30 in-game minutes there and back – an hour in total – so, if you’re planning on using the submarine, it’s a good idea to dedicate a whole night of the Night Market to pure fishing; especially since there are three three that can only be caught on the submarine.

Below you’ll find the fish that are exclusive to the Night Market, along with the other fish that and other items that you might catch:

Fish exclusive to the Night Market Submarine: