Stardew Valley: Fishing Guide

Fishing is one of the more popular mini-games included in Stardew Valley. Not only is it a great way to pass your time in the simulation role-playing game but it can be highly profitable if done correctly. Here’s our simple Stardew Valley Fishing Guide.

How to start fishing

Early in the game, you need to visit Willy at the Fish Shop located on the pier, by the beach. He’ll give you a basic rod to start off your fishing journey.

How to cast the line

There are various fish available to catch across the whole of Stardew Valley. Some will only be available in either the rivers, oceans or lakes so make sure you check what the stipulations are to catch your fish before you go out looking for them.

The art of fishing in Stardew Valley comes in two parts. First is casting. Head to any body of water within the map and equip your fishing rod. 

Click the action button and a meter will show up on the screen. How full the meter is depends on how far the line will be cast. Once you get to the right level that you want to cast then press the action button again to cast. 

The line will then bobble around until you get a nibble on your line.

How to catch a fish

Typically, a fish will catch on to your line within 10 seconds of casting it. You’ll know a fish has latched on as there’ll be a small alarm sound and the meter will give you an indicator. 

This will now unlock the second part of the mini-game, reeling the fish in. 

If you have been lucky enough to catch a fish (instead of some pesky seaweed) another meter will show up on the screen, slightly larger this time. 

It will show a fish traveling up and down the meter. You have a small green bar which you’ll need to keep level with the fish. You do this by pressing the action button. Now, this can be quite tricky, and takes a lot of patience to get it right. 

Even though you won’t know what fish is on the end of your line until you have caught it, it will be harder to catch specific fishes so if it is a particularly difficult catch, it could be one of the harder fishes to catch on the end of your line. 

Look out for a thin green line that travels up the side of the fish meter. When that is full, you’ll be successful in your hunt for a fish. 

Fishing Rods and Bait

You’ll first start off your fishing journey with a Training Rod from Willy. After that, as you become a more experienced fisher, you’ll have the chance to gain better rods. 

They are: 

• Bamboo Rod
• Fiberglass Rod – requires Fishing Level 2
• Iridium Rod – requires Fishing Level 6

Bait can start to be used once you have obtained the Fiberglass Rod. You don’t require bait to fish, but it can help fish latch on to your line quicker.

Fishing Levels

Different skills will unlock as you progress as a fisher. In total, there are ten Fishing Levels.

They are:

• Fishing Level 1, Casting distance increased
• Fishing Level 2, Fiberglas Rod and Bait available
• Fishing Level 3, Additional recipes available, Crab Pots now purchasable
• Fishing Level 4, Casting distance increased and new crafting recipe
• Fishing Level 5, Choose between the professions of Fisher and Trapper
• Fishing Level 6, Iridium Rod now available plus additional crafting recipes
• Fishing Level 7, Cork Bobber and Treasure Hunter lure now available
• Fishing Level 8, Casting distance increased plus Barbed Hook and Dressed Spinner now available
• Fishing Level 9, Magnet now available
• Fishing Level 10, Additional bonuses unlocked depending on what profession was chosen

For additional Stardew Valley Fishing Guide, click here.