Catching a catfish in Stardew Valley can test your patience more than almost any other fish. I’ve spent hours staring at the rain, rod in hand, cursing my luck as the catfish danced away. But once you get the hang of it, knowing the right spot, time, and setup, it becomes one of the most rewarding catches in the game.
Let’s walk through everything I’ve learned over time, where to find them, how to catch them, what you’ll need, and a few tricks to make your fishing runs smoother.
Where to Catch Catfish in Stardew Valley
Catfish aren’t everywhere. They only bite in freshwater, and they’re picky about it. You’ll find them mainly in these spots:
| Location | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| River (Pelican Town & Cindersap Forest) | Most common catfish spot | Only bites when it rains |
| Secret Woods Pond | Harder to access but reliable | Also rain-dependent |
| Witch’s Swamp | Works in any weather | Accessible later in the game |
When people ask, “Where to catch catfish in Stardew Valley?”, I always suggest Pelican Town River first. It’s easy to access and gives you a good line of sight for when it rains.
Best Time and Season to Catch Catfish
You can’t just roll up anytime. Catfish appear only during certain seasons and hours.
| Season | Time | Weather |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | 6 AM – 12 AM | Rain only |
| Summer | 6 AM – 12 AM | Rain only |
| Fall | 6 AM – 12 AM | Rain only |
| Winter | Only in Secret Woods / Witch’s Swamp | Any weather |
So yes, if there is rain fishing possible. If it’s sunny, forget it. Go do something else. This pattern confuses new players. I’ve had friends complain, “They’re not biting!” , when they’re standing in the river on a sunny day.
If you’re deep into the game, check the TV weather forecast the night before. That’s your best way to plan a fishing trip.
Catfish Stardew Valley Difficulty and Setup
Let’s talk about difficulty. The catfish has a difficulty level of 75, which puts it among the trickier fish, right up there with sturgeon and super cucumber.
To make life easier, you’ll want to upgrade your fishing rod early.
Recommended setup:
- Rod: Fiberglass or Iridium Rod
- Bait: Regular bait or Wild bait
- Tackle: Trap Bobber or Cork Bobber
Using a Trap Bobber slows down the catfish’s escape speed, perfect if you’re struggling to keep the green bar steady. The Cork Bobber gives a slightly larger bar, which helps too.
Fishing Technique: How to Catch Catfish
Once you’re in position, timing and control matter more than anything.
- Wait for the bite: Be patient, rain boosts bite rates but doesn’t guarantee instant hits.
- When the bar turns green: click quickly but lightly.
- Feather your clicks: to keep the green bar under the fish icon. Don’t overreact, catfish move fast.
- Avoid full bar slaps: That’s what loses them.
- Practice on easier fish: (like smallmouth bass) to build reflex.
If you’re wondering why catfish keep slipping away, it’s not your luck. It’s just their erratic movement. They dart up and down. Keep calm, small, steady adjustments are key.
Catfish Stardew Valley Strategy & Bait Tips
If you really want to maximize efficiency, plan your fishing days like this:
- Check the forecast: Fish only when it rains.
- Fish near bridges: Rivers near Pelican Town and Cindersap Forest give better spawn rates.
- Use bait and tackle: Basic bait helps with faster bites; tackle helps with control.
- Fish early morning: Bite rates seem best before 10 AM.
- Upgrade fishing level: Each level boosts control and reduces escape chance.
When your fishing level increases, your energy drain decreases too. That’s a big win during long rainy days.
Catfish Value & Sell Price
The catfish isn’t just a trophy, it’s a solid money fish.
| Quality | Sell Price | With Angler Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 200g | 300g |
| Silver | 250g | 375g |
| Gold | 300g | 450g |
| Iridium | 400g | 600g |
If you’re farming catfish for profit, use wild bait for faster hook rates and aim for Iridium-quality fish once your fishing level hits 9 to 10.
Catfish Stardew Valley Bundle Use
If you’re playing through the Community Center, catfish are part of the River Fish Bundle in the Fish Tank. That means you’ll need one catfish along with Sunfish, Shad, and Tiger Trout.
Once you complete that bundle, you get 30 bait as a reward. Not a huge prize, but progress is progress.
Catfish Pond and Breeding
Once you catch a few, you can add them to a Fish Pond on your farm. This is great for steady income, they reproduce slowly but produce roe, which can be aged in a Preserves Jar for extra gold.
You’ll need to complete pond quests too, like bringing bug meat or seaweed, before they multiply.
| Fish Pond Stage | Population | Required Item |
|---|---|---|
| Initial | 1 to 3 | None |
| Quest 1 | 3 to 5 | Bug Meat x3 |
| Quest 2 | 5 to 7 | Slime x10 |
Common Catfish Problems (And Fixes)
Let’s go through what usually goes wrong:
1. Catfish not biting?
Make sure it’s raining and between 6 AM to 12 AM. Check if you’re in a valid location.
2. Fish keeps escaping?
Try Trap Bobber or upgrade your rod. Keep your fishing level higher.
3. No rain for days?
Use the Rain Totem (craftable after Foraging Level 9). Forces rain next day.
4. Can’t reach catfish in winter?
Try Secret Woods or Witch’s Swamp.
Advanced Fishing Tricks for Hard Fish
After catching dozens of catfish, a few habits stand out:
- Use small rhythmic clicks instead of holding the button.
- Always fish at the top or bottom of the bar movement, not mid-way.
- If the fish moves fast vertically, anticipate direction changes.
- Don’t panic when the fish icon jumps, it’s coded to fake you out sometimes.
Fishing in Stardew Valley feels like muscle memory. Once your brain locks into the pattern, everything slows down.
Catfish Stardew Valley XP Gain
Catfish give a solid chunk of fishing XP (28 XP per catch). Stack that over a rainy day, and you’ll hit higher fishing levels fast. Combine with other river fish like Shad and Bream to maximize XP during rain streaks.
At-Home Fishing Setup (If You Don’t Have the Rod Yet)
If you’re early-game and broke, start with the Bamboo Pole from Willy. Fish small catches until you can afford a Fiberglass Rod (1,800g). Once you have that, add bait and tackle, it makes all the difference for catfish.
Quick Tips Recap
| Tip | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Fish only when it rains | Catfish are rain-exclusive |
| Use Trap Bobber | Slows down escape speed |
| Aim early morning | Better bite rates |
| Sell Iridium quality | Highest profit |
| Level up fishing skill | Easier control |
| Use Rain Totem | Guarantees next-day rain |
FAQs
Q1: What’s the best place to catch catfish in Stardew Valley?
When it rains, the Cindersap Forest River is the next greatest and easiest location, after the Pelican Town River.
Q2: What time does catfish appear in Stardew Valley?
Between 6 AM and 12 AM, only when it’s raining (except in the Witch’s Swamp).
Q3: Why isn’t my catfish biting?
It’s likely not raining, or you’re fishing in the wrong body of water. Catfish won’t bite on sunny days.
Q4: Can I catch catfish in winter?
Yes, but only in the Secret Woods pond or Witch’s Swamp.
Q5: What’s the sell price for catfish in Stardew Valley?
Between 200g and 400g, based on quality; if you are an Angler, you will get more.
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