Stardew Valley · Guides

Stardew Valley fishing guide: choose fish by window and goal

Use this page when you need a practical next action, not another broad Stardew Valley overview.

Start with your problem

Fishing advice fails when it ignores time, weather, bundle use and player comfort with the minigame.

Use fishing route rows to decide whether today is a cash day, bundle day, rain-fish day, night-fish day or completion attempt.

Need exact data Use the database row.

Filter by item, fish, villager, bundle, mod symptom or route.

Avoid: Do not follow generic advice when a row exists.
Need route judgment The bottleneck controls the recommendation.

Check season, cash, energy, unlock and mod state first.

Avoid: Do not optimize profit while missing time-limited items.
Risky action Save, first-copy or mod risk.

Back up or preserve the first copy before acting.

Avoid: Do not overwrite or sell without source check.

Problem solver

Choose the next action

Use the current state to pick a row, risk check and follow-up page.

Need exact data

Use the database row.

Filter by item, fish, villager, bundle, mod symptom or route.

Do not: Do not follow generic advice when a row exists. Use structured data.

Need route judgment

The bottleneck controls the recommendation.

Check season, cash, energy, unlock and mod state first.

Do not: Do not optimize profit while missing time-limited items. Use decision checkpoint.

Risky action

Save, first-copy or mod risk.

Back up or preserve the first copy before acting.

Do not: Do not overwrite or sell without source check. Open safety route.

Playable tools

Use this while planning your route

These tools turn the guide into a quick decision surface for boss attempts, builds, quests and backups.

Decision tool

Fishing goal selector

Choose the current player state and get the next action.

Choose the current state to get the next action.
Stardew Valley crop and fish calendar
Custom crop and fish calendar. It shows why season windows matter before profit optimization.
Stardew Valley official Steam screenshot showing the farm and town style
Official Steam screenshot. Use the farm layout as the visual context for first-season planning.

Video

Stardew Valley Trailer 1080p

Official Steam media is used for video context. It keeps the page visual without hosting third-party clips.

Open official Steam media

Structured data

Real entries to check while playing

These tables turn the page into a working reference instead of a text-only article. Exact values should stay tied to the source trail and update date.

Database

Fishing route database

6 entries
GoalBest checkWhere to routeUse whenAvoidVerificationSources
Community Center fishSeason, weather, location and time.Start with fish used in bundles, then cleanup easy anytime fish.You are before a season change.Do not fish randomly when a window is narrow. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fishStardew Valley Wiki bundles
Early cashPlayer comfort with fishing minigame.Use ocean, river or lake routes near errands.Cash is short but watering would overexpand the field.Do not force fishing if it frustrates the player. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Rain fishWeather and day plan.Use rainy days for rain-only fish and tool upgrade timing.Rain opens a missing fish window.Do not spend rain only on low-value chores. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Night fish6pm+ windows and energy.Reserve energy and travel time before evening.Bream, Eel or other night windows are needed.Do not arrive at the water at the end of the window. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
High difficulty fishFishing level, tackle, food and route patience.Treat as a dedicated attempt, not a casual errand.Completion or bundle goal requires it.Do not waste all day underprepared. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Ginger Island fishIsland unlock and all-season notes.Use island access to smooth missed mainland season windows when source allows.Island is unlocked and the fish page supports the window.Do not assume every fish ignores mainland season rules. editorial guidance medium confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fishStardew Valley Wiki Ginger Island

Database

Fish availability database

48 entries
FishLocationTimeSeason and weatherDifficultyUseVerificationSources
PufferfishOcean, Ginger Island Oceans12pm – 4pmSummer (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Sun80 floaterSpecialty Fish Bundle Abigail (loved gift) "Aquatic Research" Quest verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
AnchovyOceanAnytimeSpring Fall / Any30 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
TunaOcean, Ginger Island Oceans6am – 7pmSummer Winter (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any70 smoothOcean Fish Bundle Quality Fish Bundle Fish Taco verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SardineOcean6am – 7pmSpring Fall Winter / Any30 dartOcean Fish Bundle Dish O' The Sea verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
BreamTown River, Forest River6pm – 2amAll Seasons / Any35 smoothNight Fishing Bundle Baked Fish verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Largemouth BassMountain Lake6am – 7pmAll Seasons / Any50 mixedLake Fish Bundle Quality Fish Bundle Crispy Bass "Fish Casserole" Quest verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Smallmouth BassTown River, Forest PondAnytimeSpring Fall / Any28 mixedGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Rainbow TroutTown River, Forest River, Mountain Lake6am – 7pmSummer / Sun45 mixedTrout Soup verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SalmonTown River, Forest River, Forest Waterfalls6am – 7pmFall / Any50 mixedSalmon Dinner verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
WalleyeTown River, Forest River, Forest Pond, Mountain Lake12pm – 2amFall Winter with Rain Totem / Rain45 smoothNight Fishing Bundle Quality Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
PerchTown River, Forest River, Forest Pond, Mountain LakeAnytimeWinter / Any35 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
CarpMountain Lake, Secret Woods, SewersAnytimeAll Seasons / Any15 mixedLake Fish Bundle Carp Surprise verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
CatfishTown River, Forest River, Secret Woods, Witch's Swamp6am – 12amSpring Fall ( Spring & Summer in Secret Woods Pond) Winter with Rain Totem / Rain75 mixedRiver Fish Bundle Willy (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
PikeTown River, Forest River, Forest PondAnytimeSummer Winter / Any60 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SunfishTown River, Forest River6am – 7pmSpring Summer / Sun Wind30 mixedRiver Fish Bundle Baked Fish verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Red MulletOcean6am – 7pmSummer Winter / Any55 smoothGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
HerringOceanAnytimeSpring Winter / Any25 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
EelOcean4pm – 2amSpring Fall / Rain70 smoothNight Fishing Bundle Fried Eel Spicy Eel verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
OctopusOcean, Ginger Island Oceans6am – 1pmSummer (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any95 sinkerMaster Fisher's Bundle Willy (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Red SnapperOcean6am – 7pmSummer Fall Winter with Rain Totem / Rain40 mixedOcean Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SquidOcean6pm – 2amWinter / Any75 sinkerFried Calamari "Catch a Squid" Quest verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Sea CucumberOcean6am – 7pmFall Winter / Any40 sinkerLucky Lunch Willy (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Super CucumberOcean, Ginger Island Oceans6pm – 2amSummer Fall (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any80 sinkerWizard (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
GhostfishMines (Floors 20 & 60), Ghost DropsAnytimeAll Seasons / Any50 mixedSpecialty Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
StonefishMines (Floor 20)AnytimeAll Seasons / Any65 sinkerGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Ice PipMines (Floor 60)AnytimeAll Seasons / Any85 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Lava EelMines (Floor 100), Volcano CalderaAnytimeAll Seasons / Any90 mixedMaster Fisher's Bundle Dwarf (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SandfishDesert6am – 8pmAll Seasons / Any65 mixedSpecialty Fish Bundle Penny (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Scorpion CarpDesert, Requires fishing level 46am – 8pmAll Seasons / Any90 dartMaster Fisher's Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
FlounderOcean, Ginger Island Oceans6am – 8pmSpring Summer (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any50 sinkerSeafoam Pudding verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Midnight CarpForest Pond, Mountain Lake, Ginger Island Rivers10pm – 2amFall Winter (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any55 mixedSeafoam Pudding verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SturgeonMountain Lake6am – 7pmSummer Winter / Any78 mixedLake Fish Bundle Willy (loved gift) verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Tiger TroutTown River, Forest River6am – 7pmFall Winter / Any60 dartRiver Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
BullheadMountain LakeAnytimeAll Seasons / Any46 smoothLake Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
TilapiaOcean, Ginger Island Rivers6am – 2pmSummer Fall (All Seasons on Ginger Island) / Any50 mixedOcean Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
ChubForest River, Mountain LakeAnytimeAll Seasons / Any35 dartField Research Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
DoradoForest River6am – 7pmSummer / Any78 mixedGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
AlbacoreOcean6am – 11am 6pm – 2amFall Winter / Any60 mixed"Fish Stew" Quest verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
ShadTown River, Forest River9am – 2amSpring Summer Fall / Rain45 smoothRiver Fish Bundle Quality Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
LingcodTown River, Forest River, Mountain LakeAny timeWinter / Any85 mixed"Catch a Lingcod" Quest verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
HalibutOcean6am – 11am 7pm – 2amSpring Summer Winter / Any50 sinkerGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
WoodskipSecret Woods, Forest FarmAnytimeAll Seasons / Any50 mixedSpecialty Fish Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Void SalmonWitch's SwampAnytimeAll Seasons / Any80 mixedThe Missing Bundle verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
SlimejackMutant Bug LairAnytimeAll Seasons / Any55 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
StingrayPirate Cove (Ginger Island)AnytimeAll Seasons / Any80 sinkerGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
LionfishGinger Island OceansAnytimeAll Seasons / Any50 smoothGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
Blue DiscusGinger Island RiversAnytimeAll Seasons / Any60 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish
GobyForest WaterfallsAnytimeAll Seasons / Any55 dartGeneral fishing, selling, gifting or collection check. verified high confidence 2026-05-09 Stardew Valley Wiki fish

Player problem

Fishing advice fails when it ignores time, weather, bundle use and player comfort with the minigame.

Use fishing route rows to decide whether today is a cash day, bundle day, rain-fish day, night-fish day or completion attempt.

What the player needs first

Fishing advice fails when it ignores time, weather, bundle use and player comfort with the minigame.

  • Identify the current season or unlock state.
  • Use source-backed rows before acting.
  • Choose one next action instead of opening several disconnected tabs.

How to use the data

Use fishing route rows to decide whether today is a cash day, bundle day, rain-fish day, night-fish day or completion attempt.

  • Filter the table by item, season, villager or symptom.
  • Follow the risk note before selling, gifting, upgrading or installing.
  • Open the next related page when the decision depends on another system.

What is still route-dependent

Stardew Valley saves can differ by bundle mode, farm type, player skill and mod state. Exact recommendations should stay tied to source and current save context.

  • Remixed bundles need an in-save check.
  • Large mods can change vanilla route assumptions.
  • Profit choices should account for time and processing capacity.

Decision checkpoint

QuestionWhy it mattersNext action
What is blocking progress?The route changes by season, cash, energy, unlocks or mod state.Pick the matching row in the structured table.
What could be lost?Season windows, first copies and save state create the real risk.Handle the risk before optimizing.
What comes next?Good pages should move the player to the next useful action.Use related links after the table.

Action checklist

Do this in order

  • Check current season, unlock and save/mod state.
  • Filter the table for the current item, person or symptom.
  • Read the risk note before acting.
  • Open the related route if another system controls the answer.

FAQ

Common questions

Is this a fixed walkthrough?

No. It is a decision page: use the current save state and the table row to choose the next action.

What should be checked before publishing deeper recommendations?

Exact item values, requirements, mod versions and remixed bundle state need row-level source review.

Sources

Source trail