Fishing Strategy
- For a list of fish and their locations, see Fish.
- For information about the Fishing Skill and Mechanics, see Fishing.
- For an index to the completed fish collection, see Collections.
- See also: Tackle, Bait
This page provides fishing strategy information for Stardew Valley.
Basics of Strategy
The availability of many types of fish can depend on various factors: the location of the fishing spot, the season, the time of day, and the weather. Match your fishing location to current conditions as necessary in order to give yourself the chance to catch the type(s) of fish you want.
Below Fishing skill level 4, casting left or right gives you an opportunity to get a higher quality catch than casting up or down, because the maximum casting distance is greater.
Depth
Water depth refers to distance from land (any walkable area), not to distance beneath the water surface. Since the quality of the fish you catch depends on depth, you ideally want to cast your bobber as far from land as you can. It is worth noting that the color of the water and the particular fishing spot have no effect on fish quality at all. Only the bobber's depth when you make a catch matters. (For more information, see Casting Distance.)
To cast into bubbles, you do not have many options about how far you cast, but bubbles increase your depth and may thus increase fish quality, or at least restore what is lost by a shorter cast, while still providing the quick bite feature of bubbles.
In addition to affecting the quality of the fish, depth also affects the chances of catching certain fish over other ones. While all fish can be caught in tiles that have a depth of 1, a lot of the "better" fish have a higher chance to be caught the further away from land you go.
- For more specific information, see the modding section.
Fishing Seasons
Summer
Fall / Winter
Winter
Fish Infograph
- Note that this graph is accurate as of v1.3, but not complete (it does not include the Mutant Bug Lair, Witch's Swamp, Night Market fish or the Cindersap Forest pond).
Prime Fishing Locations
Below are some suggested prime fishing locations, which have ample depth in which to catch the best quality fish. Some of these are also locations where you can catch legendary fish.
Pelican Town
- Below the path at the west side of Jodi's house.
The Beach
- Western pier. Cast near the rock.
- Where the river meets the ocean (in the middle of the river mouth triangle). Cast at an angle into the dark blue water from either side.
- Eastern pier (across the repaired bridge). Cast down or left at the end of the dock.
Cindersap Forest
- Below and six tiles to the west of Leah's door.
- Island near the hat shop.
The Mountains
- Southeast edge of the fence past Robin's house.
- Southern tip of the second island, also accessible from the area near the broken bridge to the east.
Access to Standard Fish
According to the game file, a fishing spot is not divided by ocean, lake and river, but by the maps. For instance, the river south of Leah's house is not the same as the river in town.
Note that the 5 legendary fish are not included in the tables below.
The following tables are based on the Locations.xnb file:
Pelican Town
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spring
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Sunfish
|
Sunny day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Catfish
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Smallmouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Shad
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Bream
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Summer
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Rainbow Trout
|
Sunny day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sunfish
|
Sunny day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Pike
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Shad
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Fall
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Salmon
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Tiger Trout
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Catfish
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Shad
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Walleye
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Winter
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Tiger Trout
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Lingcod
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Perch
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Pike
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
The Beach
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Sardine
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Flounder
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Anchovy
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Herring
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Seaweed
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Halibut
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Eel
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Octopus
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Tilapia
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Red Mullet
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Red Snapper
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Tuna
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Flounder
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Seaweed
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Halibut
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Pufferfish
|
Sunny day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Super Cucumber
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Fall
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Tilapia
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Snapper
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sardine
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Sea Cucumber
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Anchovy
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Seaweed
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Albacore
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Eel
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Super Cucumber
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Winter
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Red Mullet
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Sardine
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Sea Cucumber
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Tuna
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Herring
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Red Snapper
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Seaweed
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Albacore
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Halibut
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Squid
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cindersap Forest
Note that there are two fishing spots in the forest, the pond in the middle and the river to the south.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Sunfish
|
River | Sunny day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Catfish
|
River | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
 Chub
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass
|
Pond | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shad
|
River | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Dorado
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rainbow Trout
|
River | Sunny day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sunfish
|
River | Sunny day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pike
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shad
|
River | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Fall
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Salmon
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Tiger Trout
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Catfish
|
River | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Midnight Carp
|
Pond | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass
|
Pond | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Shad
|
River | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Walleye
|
Both | Rainy day only | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Winter
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Tiger Trout
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Midnight Carp
|
Pond | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lingcod
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Perch
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Pike
|
Both | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bream
|
River | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Mountain
Note that this refers to the lake outside of The Mines.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Largemouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Bullhead
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Summer
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Largemouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Rainbow Trout
|
Sunny day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Sturgeon
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullhead
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Fall
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Largemouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullhead
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Walleye
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Midnight Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Winter
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Largemouth Bass
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Sturgeon
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Bullhead
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Chub
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Lingcod
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Perch
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Midnight Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Access to Special Fish
The Mines
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Ghostfish
|
Floors 20, 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Stonefish
|
Floor 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
All | ||||||||||||||||||||
 White Algae
|
All | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Ice Pip
|
Floor 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||
 Lava Eel
|
Floor 100 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Secret Woods
Northwest ofCindersap Forest.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Woodskip
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Catfish
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
The Desert
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Sandfish
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Scorpion Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
The Sewers
The Sewers are an easy and productive fishing location, especially to level up the fishing skill or farm treasure. Carp is the least difficult fish to catch in the game and it is the only fish in the sewers (except for a single Legendary Fish, the Mutant Carp). Therefore, every cast of the line results in either an immediate item reward or a quick Carp catch. This makes the Sewers an ideal place to fish for treasure since Carp are unlikely to escape. Since carp and algae are the only possible non-treasure catches, your inventory will not become clogged with other fish, unlike at locations with more diverse fish stocks.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| White Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Mutant Bug Lair
Through the sewers. Can only be accessed end-game, after picking up the quest Dark Talisman.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
| Carp
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 Slimejack
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| White Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Witch's Swamp
Through the cave behind the train platform. Can only be accessed end-game, after completing the quest Dark Talisman.
| Time | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All
|
6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 1 | |
 Void Salmon
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Catfish
|
Rainy day only | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Green Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
| White Algae
|
|||||||||||||||||||||