Stardew Valley Fishing Guide: Every Fish, Every Location

Fishing in Stardew Valley is more than just a way to pass time—it’s a key part of the game. From earning money to completing bundles, cooking, and gifting, fishing plays a huge role in your farm’s success. This guide will take you step by step through every fish, every location, and tips to become a master angler.

Stardew Valley Fish Table: Every Fish, Every Location

Fish Name	Season	Location	Time	Weather	Selling Price (Gold)
Catfish	Spring, Fall	River (Town), Forest	6 AM – 12 AM	Rainy	200
Shad	Spring, Fall	River (Forest)	9 AM – 2 AM	Rainy	90
Sunfish	Spring, Summer	River, Forest	6 AM – 7 PM	Sunny	30
Smallmouth Bass	Spring, Fall	River (Town)	6 AM – 7 PM	Sunny	60
Tuna	Summer, Winter	Ocean	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	100
Red Snapper	Summer, Fall	Ocean	6 AM – 7 PM	Rainy	100
Tilapia	Summer	Ocean	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	70
Pufferfish	Summer	Ocean	12 PM – 4 PM	Sunny	200
Eel	Spring, Fall	River (Town)	4 PM – 2 AM	Rainy	85
Pumpkinfish	Fall	Mountain Lake	6 AM – 7 PM	Sunny	100
Walleye	Fall	River, Forest	12 PM – 12 AM	Rainy	75
Tiger Trout	Fall	River (Mountain)	6 AM – 7 PM	Sunny	80
Sturgeon	Winter	Mountain Lake	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	200
Lingcod	Winter	Mountain Lake	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	120
Perch	Winter	Mountain Lake	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	50
Squid	Winter	Ocean	6 PM – 2 AM	Any	100
Glacierfish	Winter	Mountain Lake (South)	All Day	Any	1,000
Mutant Carp	All Seasons	Sewers	All Day	Any	300
Angler Fish	Summer	Ocean	All Day	Any	750
Crimsonfish	Summer	Ocean (Far Pier)	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	1,000
Legend	Spring	Mountain Lake (East)	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	1,000
Sandfish	Summer, Fall	Desert Pond	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	75
Scorpion Carp	Summer, Fall	Desert Pond	6 AM – 7 PM	Any	150

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Introduction to Fishing in Stardew Valley

Fishing is one of the earliest ways to make money in the game. It also helps with completing the Community Center bundles, cooking recipes, and leveling up your fishing skill. Even if you focus mostly on farming or animals, fishing adds variety and profit. The mini-game can seem tricky at first, but once you learn the patterns and techniques, catching fish becomes simple and fun.

Fishing Basics for Beginners

To start fishing, you need a rod. The first rod is given by Willy after you reach Pelican Town. You’ll begin with a Bamboo Rod, which allows you to fish without bait.

Catching a fish requires practice. Cast your line into water and wait until the exclamation mark appears. Then hold the button to control the green bar and keep it under the fish icon. The longer you hold it, the more the fish is caught.

Common beginner mistakes include:

• Moving the bar too quickly or too slowly
• Not using bait for faster fishing
• Trying to catch legendary fish too early

All Fishing Locations Explained

Different fish appear in different areas. Knowing where to fish helps you catch the right fish for each season or bundle.

• Ocean (Beach area): Home to fish like Sardine, Tuna, and Red Snapper. Great all-season spot.
• Rivers (Town & Forest): Early-game fish like Catfish, Sunfish, and Smallmouth Bass.
• Mountain Lake: Fish like Carp and Largemouth Bass. Perfect mid-game location.
• Secret Woods Pond: Rare fish and unique opportunities for bundles.
• Desert Fishing Spot: Desert-exclusive fish such as Sandfish and Scorpion Carp.
• Ginger Island: Tropical fish that can’t be found anywhere else.

Every Fish by Season

Fish availability changes with seasons. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Spring: Catfish, Shad, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass
Summer: Tuna, Red Snapper, Tilapia, Pufferfish
Fall: Eel, Pumpkinfish, Walleye, Tiger Trout
Winter: Sturgeon, Lingcod, Perch, Squid

By planning your fishing trips according to the season, you can catch the fish you need faster and more efficiently.

Legendary Fish Guide

Legendary fish are rare and challenging. Each requires specific conditions and preparation.

• Glacierfish: Mountain Lake, Winter, all day
• Mutant Carp: Sewers, any season, any time
• Angler Fish: Ocean, Summer, all day
• Crimsonfish: Ocean, Summer, 6 AM–7 PM
• Legend: Mountain Lake, Spring, 6 AM–7 PM

Pro Tip: Only try legendary fish after leveling up your fishing skill and using the best rods, bait, and tackle. Patience and practice are key.

Weather and Time Effects

The fish that appear depend on both weather and time:

• Rainy days bring fish like Catfish and Eel.
• Some fish are only available at night, like Walleye or Angler.
• Seasons affect the type of fish in each location.

Always check the weather and time before fishing to avoid wasted trips.

Best Fishing Spots for Money

Fishing isn’t just for bundles—it’s a great way to earn gold.

• Early Game: Town River and Beach for Sunfish and Sardine.
• Mid Game: Mountain Lake for Carp and Largemouth Bass.
• Late Game: Ocean or Ginger Island for high-value fish like Tuna, Red Snapper, and Tropical Fish.

Using the right tackle and bait will maximize profits.

Fishing Levels, Skills, and Professions

As you catch more fish, your fishing skill increases. Higher skill makes catching fish easier and unlocks professions at levels 5 and 10.

Best professions to choose:

• Fisher: +25% more gold from selling fish.
• Trapper: Crab pots catch items for profit.

Choose the profession that fits your farming style and goals.

Best Tools and Items for Fishing

Upgrading your fishing tools makes a huge difference:

• Rods: Bamboo Rod → Fiberglass Rod → Iridium Rod
• Bait: Speeds up catching fish and reduces wait time
• Tackle: Helps control the fishing bar or attract fish (Trap Bobber, Spinner, etc.)

Better equipment helps especially for rare and legendary fish.

Final Thoughts

Fishing in Stardew Valley is both fun and profitable. By understanding the locations, seasons, and fish behavior, you can catch everything efficiently. Use the right tools, plan your trips according to season and weather, and level up your fishing skill to master every fish in the game.

Whether you’re focusing on money, bundles, or just enjoying the game, fishing adds a relaxing and rewarding layer to Stardew Valley. Master it, and your farm will thrive like never before.