How To Fish In Stardew Valley: A Comprehensive Guide

Fishing in Stardew Valley is not just a relaxing pastime; it’s an essential skill that can significantly enhance your farming experience and increase your in-game income. In this extensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about fishing—from the basics of getting started to mastering the intricacies of the fishing mini-game. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned player looking to refine your fishing skills, this guide has you covered.

What is Fishing in Stardew Valley?

Fishing is one of the key skills you can level up in Stardew Valley, just like farming and mining. The fishing skill has ten levels, and with each level you achieve, you gain a +1 increase in Fishing Rod Proficiency along with various unlockable items. Reaching level 5 allows you to choose a profession that further enhances your fishing abilities. Your options are either to become a Fisher, which increases your fish selling prices, or a Trapper, which focuses on trapping and crafting.

The Importance of Fishing

Fishing offers various benefits in the game:

• Economic Gain: Fish can be sold for a decent profit, especially rare or high-quality catches.
• Crafting Ingredients: Many recipes require fish or seafood as ingredients.
• Quests and Bundles: Fishing plays a role in various quests and community bundles, helping you progress in the game.

How to Unlock Fishing

To get started with fishing, you’ll first need a fishing rod. Unlike other tools you acquire at the beginning of the game, the fishing rod isn’t immediately available. On the second day of Spring, check your mailbox for a letter from Willy, the local fisherman. This letter invites you to visit his shop located on the beach, where you’ll receive a Bamboo Pole as a gift.

Fishing Rods Available

As you progress and improve your fishing skills, you’ll have access to better fishing rods from Willy’s shop. Here’s a list of the fishing rods available and their costs:

1. Training Rod: 25 gold – A basic rod suitable for beginners.
2. Bamboo Pole: 500 gold – This is the rod you receive from Willy after visiting him.
3. Fiberglass Rod: 1,800 gold – Requires Fishing Level 2; allows you to use bait.
4. Iridium Rod: 7,500 gold – Requires Fishing Level 6; allows you to use both bait and tackle for enhanced fishing efficiency.

How to Fish

Once you’ve acquired your fishing rod, follow these steps to start fishing:

1. Equip Your Fishing Rod: Access your inventory and select your fishing rod.
2. Find a Body of Water: Head to any accessible fishing spot, such as rivers, lakes, or the ocean.
3. Casting the Line: Hold the Tool button (default left mouse button on PC) to initiate the casting gauge. Release the button to cast your line; the distance will depend on your timing and how long you hold the button.
4. Waiting for a Bite: After casting, wait for a fish to bite. You’ll know a fish has taken your bait when an exclamation point appears above your character’s head, accompanied by a notification sound.
5. Engaging in the Mini-Game: Press the Tool button again to start the fishing mini-game.

The Fishing Mini-Game Explained

The fishing mini-game is a unique mechanic in Stardew Valley that challenges your reflexes and timing. Here’s how it works:

• Green Rectangle: A moving green rectangle will appear on your screen. Your goal is to keep a small fish icon inside this rectangle.
• Filling the Gauge: The longer you keep the fish icon inside the green rectangle, the higher the catch gauge rises. If the gauge fills completely, you’ll successfully catch the fish.
• Avoiding Escape: If your green bar slips off the fish, it will escape. Maintaining coverage is crucial for a successful catch. If you manage to keep the green bar over the fish without letting it slip, you’ll achieve a “Perfect Catch,” which enhances the quality of the fish you reel in.

Using Bait and Tackle

Bait and tackle can significantly improve your fishing efficiency and success rate. You can attach bait to your fishing rod once you acquire the Fiberglass Rod or Iridium Rod.

How to Attach Bait

To attach bait to your fishing rod:

1. Open your inventory.
2. Click on the bait you want to use.
3. Left-click on your rod to attach the bait.

Types of Bait Available

There are several types of bait you can use, each offering unique benefits:

• Bait: This basic bait increases the speed at which fish bite, reducing the time you spend waiting for a catch. It also lowers the chances of catching trash.
• Wild Bait: This special bait gives you a chance to catch two fish at once and causes fish to bite more quickly.
• Magic Bait: With this bait, you can catch fish regardless of the season, weather, or time of day. It’s incredibly versatile and can be used in any body of water.

There are also baits like Deluxe Bait, Challenge Bait, Magnet, and Target Bait

Tackle Options

Once you reach higher fishing levels, you can also use tackle, which further enhances your fishing abilities. Some examples of tackle include:

• Spinner: Increases the bite rate of fish.
• Trap Bobber: Makes it easier to catch fish, as they can’t escape as easily.
• Cork Bobber: Increases casting distance, allowing you to reach deeper waters.

There are also other tackle options available like Barbed Hook, Curiosity Lure, Dressed Spinner, Lead Bobber, Quality Bobber, Sonar Bobber, and Treasure Hunter.

Types of Fish and Where to Find Them

Stardew Valley is home to a wide variety of fish, classified based on different criteria:

• Season: Certain fish are only available in specific seasons.
• Weather: Some fish bite more during rainy weather.
• Body of Water: Different types of fish inhabit rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Time of Day: Many fish are only available during certain times of the day.

Special Fish and Event Exclusives

In addition to the regular fish, there are event-exclusive catches that you can obtain during specific in-game events, such as the Night Market.

Fishing Bubbles

You may occasionally see bubbles rising in various fishing spots. Fishing in these bubbly areas offers two significant benefits:

• Fish bite 4x faster, making your fishing efforts much more productive.
• The effective fishing zone increases, giving you a better chance of catching fish.

Keep in mind that only one bubble spot can exist per biome at any given time. Additionally, some bubble spots may not be reachable, even with the best fishing gear.

Fishing Skill Progression

Like other skills in Stardew Valley, your fishing skill ranges from Level 0 to 10. Each level unlocks different benefits and perks for fishing.

Experience Points (XP) Required

The following table outlines the XP needed to reach each fishing level:

• Level 1: 100 XP
• Level 2: 380 XP
• Level 3: 770 XP
• Level 4: 1,300 XP
• Level 5: 2,150 XP
• Level 6: 3,300 XP
• Level 7: 4,800 XP
• Level 8: 6,900 XP
• Level 9: 10,000 XP
• Level 10: 15,000 XP

Unlockables from Each Fishing Level

As you level up your fishing skill, you’ll unlock various benefits:

• Level 1: +1 to casting distance.
• Level 2: Unlocks the Bait crafting recipe.
• Level 3: Unlocks the Crab Pot and the Dish O’ The Sea cooking recipes.
• Level 4: Unlocks the Recycling Machine crafting recipe.
• Level 5: Choose between the Fisher and Trapper professions.
• Level 6: Unlocks Spinner and Trap Bobber crafting recipes.
• Level 10: Choose between advanced professions based on your previous choice.

Foods That Boost Fishing Stat

Certain dishes can temporarily increase your fishing skill, making it easier to catch valuable fish. Here are some foods that boost your fishing stat:

• Maple Bar: +1 Fishing
• Chowder: +1 Fishing
• Fish Taco: +2 Fishing
• Dish O’ The Sea: +3 Fishing
• Seafoam Pudding: +4 Fishing

Cooking Tips

Utilizing Qi Seasoning can enhance the perks of your cooked food, further improving your fishing prowess.

Treasure Chests and Gift Boxes

While fishing, you might encounter treasure chests. You can temporarily focus on these chests during a catch to retrieve valuable items. However, be cautious, as attempting to snag a treasure chest while fishing can risk letting the fish escape.

What You Can Find in Treasure Chests

Treasure chests may contain a variety of items, ranging from ordinary resources to rare artifacts. Some examples include:

• Amethyst
• Dressed Spinner
• Prismatic Shard
• Various crafting materials

Additionally, gift boxes, introduced in version 1.5, can be caught while fishing, offering unique decorative items that are not found anywhere else in the game.

Most Valuable Fish to Catch

If you’re looking to maximize your profits, focusing on specific high-value fish can be beneficial. Here are some of the most valuable fish in Stardew Valley:

• Ice Pip: Found in the Mines on Floor 60, it sells for up to 1,000 gold.
• Lava Eel: Caught in the Volcano, it sells for up to 1,400 gold.
• Crimsonfish: Caught at the beach in Summer, it sells for up to 3,000 gold.
• The Legend: A legendary fish caught only once during Spring. It sells for a staggering 10,000 gold.

Legendary Fish

In addition to regular fish, Stardew Valley features a selection of legendary fish that can be caught only under specific conditions. Successfully catching these fish can yield a substantial profit and adds to your fishing collection.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Fishing

• Practice Timing: Mastering the timing of your casts will increase your catch rate significantly.
• Utilize Food Buffs: Always carry food that boosts your fishing skill when you’re planning to fish.
• Know the Seasons: Keep track of which fish are available in each season to optimize your fishing trips.
• Check Weather: Rainy weather can change which fish are available and increase your chances of catching certain species.
• Upgrade Your Gear: Invest in better rods and tackle as soon as you can to improve your fishing efficiency.

Conclusion

Fishing in Stardew Valley is a rewarding and enriching endeavor that can enhance your gameplay experience. By mastering the fishing mini-game, understanding bait and tackle, and focusing on valuable catches, you can become a fishing pro in no time. So grab your rod, head to the waters, and prepare for the thrill of the catch!