Stardew Valley Best Fish to Keep Farming Guide

If you're a Stardew Valley enthusiast, you've likely spent countless hours fishing in the game's serene rivers and lakes. With over 100 fish species to catch, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to keep. This guide will help you understand which fish to prioritize, focusing on their value, rarity, and unique qualities.

Fishing in Stardew Valley isn't just about catching any fish; it's about strategically targeting specific species to maximize your gains. Whether you're aiming to complete your museum collection, earn profit, or cook delicious meals, knowing which fish to keep is crucial.

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Valuable Fish to Keep

Some fish in Stardew Valley are worth more than others. Catching and keeping these valuable fish can help you earn more gold, which is essential for upgrading your tools, buying better equipment, and expanding your farm.

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Here are some of the most valuable fish to keep, along with their sell prices:

Mutant Carp

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The Mutant Carp is one of the rarest and most valuable fish in the game. It can only be caught during the Night Fishing mini-game in the Sewers, making it highly sought after by players. Selling a Mutant Carp will net you a whopping 1,200 gold.

To increase your chances of catching a Mutant Carp, make sure to bring a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait (like a Worm or a Nightcrawler) and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck (like the Lucky Lure or the Fisher's Friend).

Legendary Fish

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Legendary Fish are another group of highly valuable fish that can only be caught during the Night Fishing mini-game. There are four Legendary Fish in total: the Legend, the Phoenix, the Angler, and the Dwarf Fish. Each of these fish sells for 1,000 gold.

To catch Legendary Fish, you'll need to use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck. Additionally, you'll need to have a high enough Fishing level (at least 8) to catch the Legend and the Phoenix.

Rare Fish for Museum Collection

If you're aiming to complete your museum collection, you'll need to catch and keep a variety of rare fish. Giving these fish to Gunther at the Museum will grant you unique rewards, such as new recipes and even a special ring.

Here are some rare fish to prioritize for your museum collection:

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Printable Digital File Stardew Valley Tracker Fishing Collection Order

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Stardew Valley Expanded Fish cheat sheet (Fall fish)

the best fish to put in the stardew valley fish smoker

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the different types of fish that are in each color and size, with their names on them

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Stardew Valley Fish Caught During the Rain

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Steam Community :: Guide :: Fishing Guide [Outdated/Not Being Updated]

Carp

The Carp is a rare fish that can only be caught in the Mountain Lake during the Spring and Summer seasons. To catch a Carp, you'll need to use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck. Selling a Carp will earn you 500 gold, making it a valuable catch as well.

To increase your chances of catching a Carp, fish in the Mountain Lake during the optimal hours (between 6 AM and 7 PM) and use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck.

Pufferfish

The Pufferfish is another rare fish that can only be caught in the Ocean during the Summer season. To catch a Pufferfish, you'll need to use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck. Selling a Pufferfish will earn you 300 gold.

To increase your chances of catching a Pufferfish, fish in the Ocean during the optimal hours (between 6 AM and 7 PM) and use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck.

Unique Fish for Cooking

Stardew Valley features a diverse range of fish that can be used to cook delicious meals. Some fish are more unique and valuable than others, offering special benefits when cooked into dishes.

Here are some unique fish to keep for cooking:

Salmon

The Salmon is a valuable fish that can be caught in the Mountain Lake during the Fall and Winter seasons. Catching a Salmon requires a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck. Selling a Salmon will earn you 750 gold.

Cooking a Salmon into a Salmon Dinner will grant you a temporary +2 Defense bonus, making it a useful fish to keep for combat situations.

Tuna

The Tuna is another valuable fish that can be caught in the Ocean during the Summer season. To catch a Tuna, you'll need to use a Fishing Rod with a higher quality bait and a Fishing Tackle that improves your luck. Selling a Tuna will earn you 600 gold.

Cooking a Tuna into a Tuna Salad will grant you a temporary +2 Speed bonus, making it a useful fish to keep for farming or other tasks that require quick movement.

Fishing in Stardew Valley can be a rewarding experience, both in terms of valuable catches and unique rewards. By knowing which fish to keep, you can maximize your gains and make the most of your time spent fishing. So grab your Fishing Rod and head out to the nearest body of water – the perfect catch awaits!