Achieving full completion in Stardew Valley includes filling up the fish collection. If you successfully catch every type of fish, Willy will reward you with a stardrop the following day. Additionally, completing this collection provides an entry in Qi’s Perfection Tracker and allows you to earn the Master Angler achievement.

Some fish within Stardew Valley can be quite challenging to catch, residing in unique locales. Below, you will find information on where and when to locate all 67 fish and other valuable aquatic items in the game.

Updated May 1, 2025: Fishing in Stardew Valley can be as tough as farming. Players have access to various tools to help them capture even the rarest fish. This guide has been updated to include essential fishing equipment details and the potential contents of the Golden Treasure Chest.

Fish Collection

The in-game fish list provides silhouettes of uncaught fish but does not specify their names or locations. The following chart details each fish found in the collection and subsequent sections cover their habitats.

While exploring the game, players can encounter several freshwater fishing spots including a sizable pond and river in Cindersap Forest, a lake in the Mountain region, and a river in Pelican Town. Fishing opportunities exist in various farm types, though the standard farm’s ponds might only yield trash.

Despite the Community Center having distinct bundles for river and lake fish, many of these freshwater bodies feature overlapping species. Consequently, players can expect to see many fish listed multiple times in the following tables.

Cindersap Pond Fish

Fishing Equipment in Stardew Valley

Before fishing in Stardew Valley, the right equipment is essential. Players have several types of Fishing Rods and can utilize a Crab Pot.

• Training Rod
• Bamboo Pole
• Fiberglass Rod
• Iridium Rod
• Advanced Iridium Rod

While bait isn’t strictly necessary, it can enhance the fishing experience by speeding up the process and attracting specific fish, despite some being expensive. Notably, bait can only be used with fishing rods (excluding the Bamboo Pole and Training Rod).

Tackle Types

Fishing rods like the Iridium Rod and Advanced Iridium Rod have tackle slots for specific items such as the Sonar Bobber, which allows players to identify the type of fish before catching it. This is particularly helpful for catching Legendary fish. Additionally, other tackle options include:

• Sonar Bobber – Reveals the type of fish hooked.
• Trap Bobber – Slows fish escape.
• Quality Bobber – Enhances caught fish quality by one level.
• Lead Bobber – Stabilizes the fishing bar.
• Cork Bobber – Slightly increases fishing bar size.
• Spinner – Attracts fish faster.
• Dressed Spinner – Significantly enhances fish attraction.
• Curiosity Lure – Raises chances of catching rare fish.
• Barbed Hook – Hooks to fish more effectively, automatically adjusting the bar.
• Treasure Hunter – Prevents fish from escaping while retrieving treasure chests, with slightly increased chest discovery chances.

Ocean Fish

The fish caught near the beach are distinct from those found in other areas of Stardew Valley, including some of the most difficult catches.

Crab Pot Fish

Many aquatic species can only be caught using crab pots, which may require bait. Some can be found washed up on the beach, but most are exclusive to crab pot catches. Unlike the regular fishing method, crab pots do not have seasonal or time restrictions–only the water type (saltwater or freshwater) matters.

Saltwater Crab Pot Catches

• Cockle
• Crab
• Lobster
• Oyster
• Mussel
• Shrimp

Freshwater Crab Pot Catches

• Crayfish
• Periwinkle
• Snail

Exotic Fish

Some fish are only found in isolated bodies of water that require extra effort to access.

Secret Woods

To access the Secret Woods, break the log in the northwest corner of Cindersap Forest. The pond located in the southwest section of this area holds fish that are available year-round.

Fishing in The Mines

Within floors 20, 60, and 100 of the Mines, underground lakes provide unique fishing opportunities. Since these lakes are not affected by time or weather, players can fish there anytime.

Legendary Fish

In Stardew Valley, five legendary fish, known for their difficulty to catch, are scattered across various locations. Each fish is seasonally unique, and specific areas need to be targeted for each species. Achieving a minimum Fishing level is necessary to successfully cast your line.

Even though the library book The Fisherman, Act II suggests catching all other legendary fish beforehand, players can attempt to catch the Legend once their Fishing level allows for a suitable cast. The Legend is recognized as the most challenging to catch. Utilizing cork bobbers can assist greatly in this effort.

Players can capture each legendary fish only once per save file. Unlike the «Items Shipped» list, there’s no need to sell a fish for it to count towards completion. Thus, players can keep legendary fish displayed in aquariums while still aiming for 100 percent completion.

For an additional challenge, players can activate the «Extended Family» quest in Qi’s Walnut Room, which requires catching new versions of the legendary fish over a three-day period. These fish now spawn in all seasons and weather conditions, and while equally challenging to catch, they do not need to be captured for fishing list completion.

Fishing Treasure Chests

While fishing across various waters, it is possible to occasionally discover treasure chests along with fish. These chests contain a variety of items, but upon reaching Fishing Mastery, players will start encountering Golden Treasure Chests.

Golden Treasure Chests can hold all the items found in regular chests, plus a few exclusive options:

• Pearl
• Fish Taco
• Fairy Dust
• Fish Stew
• Iridium Bar
• Books (Woodcutter’s Weekly, Combat Quarterly, Stardew Valley Almanac, Bait And Bobber, Mining Monthly)
• Magnet
• Stardrop Tea
• Challenge Bait
• Shrimp Cocktail
• Sonar Bobber
• Seeds (Powdermelon Seeds, Carrot Seeds, Broccoli Seeds, Summer Squash Seeds)
• Dressed Spinner