🎣 Complete Fishing Guide

Fishing is one of the most profitable skills in Stardew Valley — 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	⭐
Catfish	6AM-11PM	Rain	River	⭐⭐⭐
Smallmouth Bass	6AM-11PM	Any	River	⭐⭐
Rainbow Trout	6AM-7PM	Sun	River	⭐⭐
Salmon	6AM-11PM	Sun/Rain	River	⭐⭐
Sardine	6AM-7PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Anchovy	6AM-11PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Halibut	6AM-11AM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Tuna	6AM-7PM	Any	Ocean	⭐⭐
Eel	4PM-2AM	Rain	Ocean	⭐⭐⭐
Bream	6AM-11PM	Any	Lake	⭐⭐
Bullhead	6AM-11PM	Any	Lake	⭐⭐

Summer Fish

Fish	Time	Weather	Location	Difficulty
Pike	6AM-11PM	Any	River	⭐⭐⭐
Sand Eel	6AM-11PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Red Snapper	6AM-7PM	Rain	Ocean	⭐⭐
Tuna	6AM-7PM	Any	Ocean	⭐⭐
Red Mullet	6AM-7PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐⭐
Octopus	6AM-1PM	Any	Ocean	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pufferfish	12PM-4PM	Sun	Ocean	⭐⭐⭐

Fall Fish

Fish	Time	Weather	Location	Difficulty
Salmon	6AM-11PM	Any	River	⭐⭐
Silver Salmon	6PM-2AM	Rain	River	⭐⭐
Trout	6AM-11PM	Any	River	⭐⭐
Walleye	6AM-11PM	Rain	River	⭐⭐⭐
Sardine	6AM-7PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Anchovy	6AM-11PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐
Deep-sea Fish	6AM-7PM	Sun/Rain	Ocean	⭐⭐
Eel	6AM-7PM	Any	Ocean	⭐⭐⭐
Midnight Carp	10PM-2AM	Any	Lake	⭐⭐

Winter Fish

Fish	Time	Weather	Location	Difficulty
Sturgeon	6AM-7PM	Any	Lake	⭐⭐⭐
Ghostfish	6AM-11PM	Any	Lake	⭐⭐
Sandfish	6AM-11PM	Any	Desert	⭐⭐
Scorpion Carp	6AM-11PM	Any	Desert	⭐⭐
Glacierfish	6AM-11PM	Any	Arrowhead Island	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

⭐ Most Profitable: Catfish (Rainy days, River)
    Price: 200g+   Difficulty: Medium
    Pair with: Copper pan coffee + Trap Bobber

Summer

⭐ Most Profitable: Octopus (6AM-1PM, Ocean)
    Price: 300g+   Difficulty: Extreme
    Recommended: Iridium Rod + Trap Bobber

Fall

⭐ Most Profitable: Walleye (Rainy night)
    Price: 300g+   Difficulty: Hard
    Pair with: Spinner + Bait

Winter

⭐ Most Profitable: Glacierfish (Seasonal Legendary)
    Price: 1000g+   Difficulty: Extreme
    One chance — make sure you catch it!

Fishing Tips

Fast Leveling Method

1. Carp (Lake) + Sunfish give 50 XP → 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 — steady hands matter most