How to Fish in Stardew Valley

21 Ago How to Fish in Stardew Valley

Fishing in Stardew Valley is one of the best ways to make money during the early days. You can get the Bamboo Pole for free from Willy on the second day, master the mini-game by keeping the green bar over the fish, and upgrade to the Fibreglass Rod at Fishing Level 3 and the Iridium Rod at Level 6 to use bait and tackle. Once you get the hang of it, fishing goes from frustrating to almost automatic.

When a fish bites, the mini-game begins: a vertical bar appears with a green rectangle and a fish icon moving up and down. Your job is to keep the green bar over the fish by holding or releasing the button. If the progress bar on the right fills up, you catch the fish; if it empties, the fish gets away. Here are a few key tips:

• The green bar grows by eight pixels with each Fishing level, so the higher your skill, the easier the mini-game becomes. Level 10 makes a huge difference.
• If a treasure chest appears inside the bar, move over it to collect it without losing track of the fish. It gives you extra rewards.
• Practice pays off: the first few days can be frustrating, but eventually the process becomes second nature.

The Fishing Rods:

Bamboo Pole (free): Willy gives it to you on the second day. It cannot use bait or tackle, but it is where you start.

Fibreglass Rod (1,800g): Available from Willy’s shop once you reach Fishing Level 3. It can use bait, which makes fish bite more quickly.

Iridium Rod (7,500g): Available from Fishing Level 6. It can use bait and tackle, including bobbers, spinners and more, making it much easier to catch the toughest fish. It is the ultimate fishing rod.

Fishing is not just about making money directly — it also helps complete many of the Community Centre bundles. If you are working towards completing it, our Community Centre bundles guide will come in handy, with the Fish Tank being one of the most challenging rooms to complete.

Crab Pots and Fishing Professions
Crab Pots are traps that fish automatically while you get on with other tasks. They unlock at Fishing Level 3 and can be crafted using 30 Wood and 3 Iron Bars. Place them in the water, add bait and collect your catch the following day. They are the most hands-off way to fish.

At Fishing Levels 5 and 10, you will choose a profession, and your decision matters:

• Level 5: Fisher — fish sell for 25% more — or Trapper — Crab Pots require fewer materials.
• Level 10: If you chose Fisher, Angler increases the selling price bonus to 50%. If you chose Trapper, Mariner means Crab Pots no longer produce rubbish, while Luremaster removes the need for bait.

For most players, the Fisher and then Angler path is the most profitable option if you are looking to make money, as recommended in our guide to making money quickly in Stardew Valley. The Crab Pot route is better if you want passive income without having to actively fish. You can improve your Fishing level to make the green bar larger and more effective at keeping up with the fish, use bait to increase the frequency of bites, and eat dishes that boost your Fishing skill, such as Rainbow Trout. An Iridium Rod with the right tackle can also make the green bar larger.