Catfish are one of the most sought-after catches in Stardew Valley, but they can be tricky to reel in. Ready to master the art of catching them? Let’s dive in!
Introduction:
There’s a freaking reason why Stardew Valley was released in 2016, and earned its spot as one of the greatest simulation games of all time.
Infamous for their magic and wonder and monster-punching, the game wraps all of this up in customization, farm management, and an interpersonal relationship system with the residents of Pelican Town.
Players may mine gems, harvest vegetables, or spend the day fishing, exploring the game’s variety of activities.
Catfish are one of the numerous creatures in Stardew Valley each aquatic way.
It is essential for completing the River Fish Bundle at the Community Center. While inspired by Catfish in the real world, its in-game mechanics namely the when, and where, and its value provide an extra layer to the experience.
Update 2: October 2, 2024, with 1.6 update, in Stardew Valley Catfish can also be acquired as a gift from a pet cat. This updated guide will incorporate the new Catfish tips and methods to increase the value of this system.
How to Get Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Requirements (Season/time of year, Weather) Catfish can be caught in Summer and Fall, (easily with Rainy weather) like Rivers & Secret Woods pond.
Fish with a Fiberglass Rod, bait and tackle will work for you! Catfish are worth selling and fulfilling Community Center bundles.
They are a high-value catch. Go ahead and fish in the right weather & season for better output!
Stardew Valley: How To Catch A Catfish Like A Pro:
Catching Catfish in Stardew Valley is not the easiest task, it requires a combination of skill, planning, and tools.
The fishing minigame can be tricky, requiring precision timing and quick reflexes to keep the green bar centered on the fish icon.
However, with the right gear and some practice, players can greatly increase their chances.
Catfish, having a very specific movement pattern, is less erratic than such fish.
To make catching fish easier, players should purchase the Iridium Rod from Willy’s Fishing Shop, which will become available to purchase upon reaching Fishing Level 6.
It also means tackle can be used, like the Trap Bobber, which makes it easier to reel in a Catfish by slowing the speed of the catch meter dropping.
Fishing Buff Foods are also consumables used to boost the player’s Fishing Level on a temporary basis, allowing more successful and bigger fish catches.
Dishes like the Dish O’ The Sea (+3 Fishing, unlocked at Lvl 3 Fishing) and Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing, unlocked at Lvl 9 Fishing) are especially useful for troublesome catches.
With this knowledge, new equipment, and upgraded buff foods, players can patiently work on catching Catfish to add this valuable fish to their collection.
Stardew Valley: Best Times to Catch Catfish:
In Stardew Valley, a player must fulfill the appropriate conditions related to their location, season and weather in order to catch a Catfish.
The elusive fish only appears during rainy weather and is typically located in rivers like the ones found in Pelican Town and Cinders Forest.
If you have a Standard Farm layout, you can catch Catfish downstream from your farm; if you have Riverland’s, Forest, or Hill-Top Farm layouts, you can even catch Catfish on your own farm, during Spring and Fall.
Hunt Catfish on rainy days between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM to maximize your chances of finding one. Another method then is to use a Rain Totem in Winter to set the mood.
| Pro Tip:
Equip a Trap Bobber to slow down the Catfish’s escape and increase your fishing skill to improve success rates. |
H2: Where to Find a Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Catfish in Stardew Valley can be hard to catch, a struggle to even find them if you are not farming in proper conditions. Comprehending these specifics can greatly increase your odds of landing this hard-to-catch fish. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Location Overview:
- The Catfish appears in rivers and the Secret Woods pond. Key fishing spots include:
- The river in Cindersap Forest is a hot spot for aquatic life.
- The river next to your farm, particularly easy for people with the Standard Farm layout.
- If you have a farm layout with special features like Riverlands or Forest Farm, you can even get a Catfish right on your own property.
Seasons and Weather Conditions:
To encounter a Catfish, players must pay attention to the season and weather:
- Spring and Fall: These are the two seasons where Catfish are most abundant.
- Rainy Weather: Ensure it’s raining before setting out to fish, as rainfall is essential for Catfish to appear. Consider using Rain Totems if natural rain is scarce.
Time of Day:
Catfish are active during specific hours:
Morning to Evening: Fish for Catfish between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM. This wide time window ensures players can include fishing in their daily Stardew Valley routine.
Fishing Spot Tips:
Do tons of fishing with these tips:
- Water Areas with Action: Rivers in Pelican Town and ponds in the Secret Woods.
- Level Up Your Gear: Fit on an Fiberglass Rod or Iridium Rod to equip bait and tackle, increasing your catch rate.
- Customize Your Catch Rate: Slow down the fall of your catch meter with a Trap Bobber for a greater chance of success.
In order to capture a Catfish, players must synchronize these four components: location, season, weather, and equipment, so they may catch a Catfish and add it to their collection to complete quests or bundles such as the River Fish Bundle at the Community Center.
How to Catch a Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Catching a Catfish in Stardew Valley is not the easiest task, just the right tools will make you up for it. Here’s a closer look on how to do out a Catfish Fishing:
Fishing Rod Requirements:
- Gear Needed to Catch a Catfish
- Fiberglass Rod: This is the lowest rod you can catch Catfish with. You will unlock it at Fishing Skill Level 2 and be able to buy it at Willy’s Fishing Shop.
- Iridium Rod: A bait + tackle attachment version for best results.
- Tackle: The Trap Bobber is useful here, as it slows down when the catch meter depletes, as such keeping the Catfish in its designated zone is much easier.
Catfish Behavior:
- Catfish Behavior: The key to catching them.
- Erratic Movement: Catfish can move erratically at times. They zip all about the fishing meter, making it hard to keep the bar steady.
- Reeling Technique: Avoid holding your button down to keep the bar. This allows you to adapt quickly to their random movements.
- Be Patient: Catfish are less likely to bite than many other fish. Stay focused and persistent.
Skill Level:
Your Fishing Skill Level affects your chance at harder fish, such as Catfish:
- To use the Fiberglass Rod effectively, it is recommended to have at least a Fishing Skill Level of 3.
- The more you level up your fishing skill, the more proficient you become and the greater your chances of catching Catfish or any other difficult fish.
Fishing in the Rain:
Rainy weather is a key factor for catching Catfish:
- Spring & Fall Rainy days: Catfish can only be caught in the rain during the Spring & Fall, be sure to plan your fishing trips around this.
- Rain Totem: Having difficulty finding rainy days? Craft and use a Rain Totem to create rain and increase your chances.
Fishing in Specific Locations:
Knowing where to fish is as important as how to fish:
- Cindersap Forest River: one of the best locations to catch Catfish when it rains.
- Secret Woods Pond: Also a good spot for Catfish. Use Steel Axe to remove the fallen log to gain access to this area.
River Near Your Farm If you have Riverlands Farm or Forest Farm layouts, Catfish can be found on your property.
| Pro Tip
For an extra edge, consume foods that boost your Fishing Skill before heading out. Recipes like Dish O’ The Sea or Seafoam Pudding can significantly improve your chances of catching difficult fish, including the Catfish. |
However, with careful preparation and perseverance, catching a Catfish gives players a rewarding experience while also being used for bundles, quests, or simply having a lovely fish for their collection.
Which Other Techniques to Find Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Fishing is the best-known way to catch a Catfish in Stardew Valley but since it is not showing everywhere, there are lots of ways to catch this fish. Here’s a complete breakdown of how you can find Catfish via alternative means be it through random encounters, +vendor purchases or even by interacting with your pet.
Hunting Catfish in Rubbish Bins
Catfish can be found while rummaging through Garbage Cans in Pelican Town during the Spring and Fall. Garbage Cans have a chance of items showing up, including Catfish, so make sure to check at these times of year.
| Pro Tip:
Search Garbage Cans discreetly to avoid lowering your friendship levels with nearby villagers. |
Catfish from the Traveling Cart
You can collect rare things from the Traveling Cart using credits, meaning you don’t have to fish for your Catfish.
Price: Catfish can be purchased from the Traveling Cart for 600g to 1,000g, depending on the random item stock.
Location and Availability:
- The Traveling Cart is situated just south of the player’s farm next to the Cinders Forest.
- It runs Fridays and Sundays, 6:00 AM through 8:00 PM.
- You can also purchase these items from the Traveling Cart during the Night Market (Winter 15-17, 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM) and during the Desert Festival (Spring 15-17 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM).
Gifts from Your Pet Cat:
In 1.6 we added a new way to be gifted a Catfish from your pet cat:
Friendship Points System:
- You will get 12 friendship points from hovering your mouse over your cat.
- Refill the kitty water bowl for another 6 points.
- Make sure to leave your Pet Bowl out for your pet, neglecting to do so overnight results in a 10 point loss.
Reward Mechanism:
After you’ve leveled up your friendship with your pet cat to the ceiling (1,000 points), there’s a 20% chance that after petting them the cat will drop an arbitrary gift.
One of the potential gifts is catfish, meaning it’s an adorable and rewarding way to get the fish.
Linus’s Mail Gifts:
Developing a friendship with Linus can lead to surprising benefits:
- Sometimes Linus will mail a Catfish as a gift.
- Try to become better friends with him, he’ll appear more in the mail if you’re at a higher level of friendship with him, to gain more friendship with him, give him some of his loved items – Cactus Fruit or Coconut.
Pro Tips to Catch an Efficient Catfish:
- Summer Events and Move in Events for Carnival opportunities (Sleeping Roses)Traveling Cart appearances and Garbage Can searches during Spring and Fall.
- Play with your pet cat regularly to reveal a chance for random Catfish gifts.
- Watch for it in the Night Market and Desert Festival too for more chances to buy Catfish.
- In this way, players can have a more varied gameplay experience, adding Catfish to their inventory for quests, bundles, or profit!
Breeding Catfish in Stardew Valley: Using Fish Ponds:
After you have succeeded in catching Catfish in Stardew Valley, you can breed them through Fish Ponds on your farm.
Fish Ponds are also a renewable resource, creating things like Roe that can be processed for extra profit, as well as increasing your usable Catfish population.
Here’s a complete guide on establishing and maintaining a Catfish Fish Pond.
How to Build a Fish Pond in your Farm:
For breeding Catfish, you need a Fish Pond. A highly designated 1/8 scale that allows players to stock and breed fish in their farm.
Where to Purchase:
Buy a Fish Pond from Robin’s Carpenter Shop.
Cost and Space Requirements:
- The Fish Pond costs 5,000g.
- You will need a 5×5 space of land to place the pond as well.
Construction Time:
The Fish Pond takes the two in-game days to make.
Filling the Fish Pond with Catfish:
To start breeding Catfish in the Fish Pond, do the following once the Fish Pond is built:
Adding Catfish:
Add a single Catfish to populate the Fish Pond.
Each Fish Pond can contain only one species of fish, so only store Catfish in this pond.
Fish Population Growth:
The Catfish will multiply over time.
Fish Pond Quests will occasionally appear, and competing in them is what expands the pond’s capacity and allows for more Catfish (along with your char). Many of these quests involve bringing certain items to the pond.
Producing Roe from Catfish:
Roe Creation:
- Once Catfish have spawned in a pond they will lay Eggs every so often.
- In the Fish Pond, you can directly collect Roe.
Aged Roe:
- Pour Roe inside a Preserves Jar to make Aged Roe, which sells for a considerable amount more.
- Here are the advantages of fish farming in ponds.
Resource Production:
Aside from roe, Fish Ponds can occasionally spawn random resources- like fish scales or something else- depending on what type of fish you have.
Increased Population:
Fish Pond Quests allow you to increase the maximum population cap of the pond, which means you can output more resources.
Sustainability:
Raising Catfish ensures a steady supply for quests, recipes, or to sell without having to fish them out over and over again.
Efficient Ways to Manage Fish Ponds
Select Strategic Placement:
Set your Fish Pond in a convenient location on the farm for collection/maintenance.
Complete Quests Promptly:
1- Once again home with requests from ponds accepted as soon as possible in order to increase the population cap & maximum production.
Upgrade Equipment:
- Turn Roe into Aged Roe with a Preserves Jar for more profit.
- Using Fish Ponds the right way allows players to harvest a constant supply of Catfish along with producing some of the resources needed to make profit too. Using this trick new Stardew Valley players can ensure direct access to this highly coveted fish in a relaxing way.
Catfish Value and Profit Potential in Stardew Valley:
In Stardew Valley, Catfish is worth a good amount of money when sold, making it a catch that will contribute to your overall income. Catfish’s value hinges on its quality as well as any Fishing Professions you have acquired to boost your profits. A complete breakdown of how much money Catfish is worth and what you can do to go for broke.
Quality Base Catfish Sell Price:
The quality levels of Catfishes determine their base selling price:
- Normal Quality: 200g
- Silver Quality: 250g
- Gold Quality: 300g
- Iridium Quality: 400g
Note that those prices are the fish value before any profession bonuses or multipliers.
Maximizing Catfish Profit with Fishing Professions
Fishing Professions give players the ability to boost the sale price of their fishery. Choosing the right profession can bring even more value to Catfish:
Fisher Profession (Level 5):
Adds a 25% base value increase to all fish
For instance, a Normal Quality Catfish is now selling for 250g (instead of 200g).
Angler Profession (Level 10):
Boosts fish economy by 50% on top of that More fish gets upgraded!
For Example: Normal Quality Catfish is sold for 300g.
Fisher and Angler profession bonuses do not stack, therefore, Angler profession will override the Fisher bonus, providing the best possible value.
Iridium Catfish: The Most Profitable Catch:
Iridium Quality Catfish provide the best profits for players with the Angler Profession:
- Base Value: 400g
- With Fisher Bonus (25%): 500g
- With Angler Bonus (50%): 600g
By spending time to increase your Fishing Skill and choose the Angler Profession, you will maximize profit from every Catfish that you sell.
Strategies to Catch and Sell High-Quality Catfish
Upgrade Your Equipment:
- Here are three beginner-friendly ways to maximize your fish-in-progress:
- Use a Fiberglass Rod / Iridium Rod to enhance your odds of catching higher quality fish.
- Use specific Equipment Baits and Tackles like the Trap Bobber to assist with that.
Time Your Fishing:
Catfish are most active early in the morning or late in the evening, and they are easier to catch when the weather is rainy in spring and fall.
Store and Sell Strategically:
Hold on to Iridium Catfish until you’ve obtained Angler Profession for maximum profits.
Invest in Preserves:
Or, put Catfish into a Preserves Jar to get Roe, which can be sold or aged for more profit.
Why Catfish Is a Smart Investment
Catching Catfish raises your Fishing Skill faster than almost anything else, while also being a source of steady income in the early and mid-game. With these quality upgrades, profession bonuses, and a little bit of fishing strategy, Stardew players will be able to generate a ton of Catfish catches, and gold along with them.
What to Do with Catfish in Stardew Valley: Uses and Gift Opportunities:
Catfish is a multi-purpose fish in Stardew Valley, as it is needed in community contributions, crafting, where to provide it in gifts and cooking. So, here are everything important you need to know and how you can utilize Catfish, in order to make the most out of this fish.
Catfish in Recipes:
There are a number of recipes available for cat fish which is why it is said to be a good ingredient to use in the kitchen. Some of the most popular Food you can make with Catfish are:
- Maki Rolls:
- Ingredients: 1 Catfish, 1 Nori, 1 Rice
- Benefit: Heals health and energy.
- Sashimi:
- Ingredients: 1 Catfish
- Benefit: Restores a good amount of energy and health.
- Quality Fertilizer:
- Ingredients: 1 Fish Roe (can be produced from Catfish in Fish Ponds)
- Benefit: Enhances crop growth by increasing the quality of harvested crops.
Donating Catfish to the Community Center:
- The catfish in Stardew Valley is used for donating to the Community Center and one of its main uses.
It is specifically needed for the River Fish Bundle located in the Fish Tank area. A Catfish will also contribute to completing the bundle and help fund the growth of the center.
- Reward: You’ll get Deluxe Bait for completing the River Fish Bundle.
Catfish in the Sewing Machine:
Catfish can also be used in a Sewing Machine to create a Catfish Tee. This way, you will be able to craft Fish Shirts (or maybe Globby Shirts, if you have an Aged Roe from the Fish Pond). Both shirts are dyeable, so you can customize your farmer’s wardrobe.
Gifting Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Gifting is an integral part of developing relationships with the villagers in Stardew Valley. How Catfish stacks up as a gift for each character:
Fisherman Willy:
Willy Adores Catfish, considers it one of His Favorite Gifts. Feeding him a Catfish will also increase your friendship with him.
Neutral Acceptance:
Catfish will be a Neutral Gift for Demetrius, Elliott, Leo, Linus, Pam, and Sebastian, which you might not think is a big deal, but at least means you won’t be hurting or improving your relationship with them too much, it’s better than giving something they dislike.
Catfish-Haters Villagers:
Catfish especially is disliked by Haley, Evelyn, and Pierre. It’s best not to give them one, as this will drop your relationship with them quite a bit.
Key Takeaways
|
With so many options available, Catfish is no longer just a major catch in Stardew Valley! Using it wisely will help you to boost your Gameplay, relationships and improve your farming, and fishing skills.
Conclusion:
Naturally, catching a Catfish in Stardew valley can be rewarding, but it is challenging, requiring knowledge of the right places, weather conditions, and fishing techniques.
Although hard to find, it’s worth the effort for its part in cooking recipes, the Community Center bundle, and its high gift or sell value.
From filling out the River Fish Bundle to profiting from this fish on your farm, knowing how to catch and utilize Catfish will help deepen your Stardew Valley experience. Happy fishing!
Stardew Valley Catfish: FAQs Questions about Catfish in Stardew Valley:
Q1: What is the rarity of Catfish in Stardew Valley?
Although the Catfish is a rare catch in Stardew Valley because of its restricted availability. It’s only found during rainy days in spring and fall. Other parameters such as location and the time of the day also define catch rates, as this species is more difficult to find compared to other types of fish.
Q2: Why is Catfish in Stardew Valley so difficult to catch?
Why is Catfish hard to catch? (And how to beat it?) One, it only shows up under specific meteorological conditions (spring and fall) and weather (rain).
It can also spawn in rivers and the Secret Woods pond, which only requires the proper fishing locations. Its erratic behavior means that the Catfish can also be a challenge to reel in, demanding good fishing techniques and patience.
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