Spring Fish in Stardew Valley: Your Complete 2026 Catching Guide

Spring hits Pelican Town with a fresh coat of green, and if you’re not down at the water with a rod in hand, you’re missing out. The first season of every Stardew Valley year brings some of the most valuable and elusive fish in the game, species you can’t hook any other time, legendary catches that demand perfect conditions, and community center bundles that won’t complete themselves.

Whether you’re chasing gold, working toward perfection, or just trying to fill out that fish collection, spring fishing is where it all begins. Some fish only bite during rain. Others vanish after 2 PM. A few hide in spots you’d never think to check. And if you sleep on the spring-exclusives, you’re waiting a full year for another shot.

This guide covers every fish available during spring, where to find them, what gear and timing you need, and how to maximize your haul before summer rolls in. Let’s get into it.

Why Spring Fishing Matters in Stardew Valley

Spring isn’t just the tutorial season, it’s one of the most important windows for fishing progress in the entire game. Miss certain catches now, and you’re locked out until next year.

First, spring-exclusive fish like Catfish, Flounder, and Eel only spawn during this season. If you’re completing the community center fish bundles or aiming for the Master Angler achievement, these aren’t optional. They’re required. And Catfish in particular is notoriously finicky about weather and time.

Second, spring unlocks the Crimsonfish, one of five legendary fish in Stardew Valley. You can only catch it between Spring 12–28, and it’s one of the toughest fish in the game. If you’re not prepared with the right rod and tackle, you’ll burn through the season with nothing to show for it.

Third, early-game gold matters. Spring fish like Catfish sell for 200g base (280g with Fisher profession), and a rainy day spent on the river can fund your first coop, your Quality Sprinklers, or that Steel Axe upgrade. Fishing is one of the fastest ways to build capital in Year 1, and spring offers some of the best fish-per-hour returns in the game.

Finally, the Fish Tank bundles at the community center heavily favor spring catches. River Fish Bundle, Ocean Fish Bundle, and Specialty Fish Bundle all pull from the spring fish pool. Knock these out early, and you’re ahead on one of the most time-sensitive community center tracks.

Complete List of Spring Fish by Location

Understanding where fish spawn is half the battle. Stardew Valley splits fish by biome and body of water, and spring opens access to a wide variety of species depending on where you cast.

River Fish Available in Spring

The river runs through the entire map, from the forest near Marnie’s ranch to the stretch by Leah’s cottage. Spring river fish include:

• Smallmouth Bass (all day)
• Catfish (rainy days, 6 AM–12 AM)
• Shad (rainy days, 9 AM–2 AM)
• Bream (6 PM–2 AM)
• Sunfish (6 AM–7 PM, sunny weather)
• Chub (all day, all weather)
• Bullhead (all day, all weather)

The river is your most versatile fishing spot. It’s accessible early, doesn’t require unlocked areas, and hosts both common and rare catches. Rain drastically shifts the fish pool here, prioritizing Catfish and Shad over the usual Smallmouth Bass and Sunfish.

Ocean Fish Available in Spring

The beach south of the farm offers saltwater species. Spring ocean fish include:

• Flounder (6 AM–8 PM, spring and summer only)
• Sardine (6 AM–7 PM)
• Anchovy (6 AM–2 AM)
• Herring (all day, all weather)
• Eel (4 PM–2 AM, rainy weather)
• Halibut (6 AM–11 AM and 7 PM–2 AM)

Flounder is the big one here, it’s spring-exclusive and required for bundles. Eel also demands rain and evening timing, making it another weather-dependent priority. The ocean is less crowded than the river in terms of trash catches, but you’ll still pull up seaweed and algae without quality bait.

Lake and Mountain Lake Fish

The mountain lake sits northeast of the carpenter’s shop and mines. Spring lake fish include:

• Largemouth Bass (6 AM–7 PM)
• Carp (all day, all weather)
• Bullhead (all day, all weather)
• Chub (all day, all weather)

The mountain lake is smaller and easier to navigate than the river, but the fish variety is limited. It’s a solid spot for Largemouth Bass, which sells decently and counts toward bundle progress. Carp is common filler.

Secret Woods and Forest Pond Fish

The Secret Woods (unlocked by upgrading to a Steel Axe and clearing the fallen log) contains a small pond with unique spawns:

• Woodskip (all day, all seasons)
• Carp (all day)
• Catfish (rainy days, spring and fall only)

Woodskip is the rarest catch here and required for Master Angler. The pond is small, so casting is easy, but access is gated behind the axe upgrade. The forest pond near the Wizard’s Tower also spawns standard river fish and doesn’t offer much unique value in spring.

Spring-Exclusive Fish You Can’t Miss

Three fish define spring fishing in Stardew Valley. These species only appear during this season, and if you miss them, you’re waiting until next year.

Catfish: Timing and Weather Requirements

Catfish is the most notorious spring-exclusive. It only spawns in the river and Secret Woods pond during rainy weather, between 6 AM and 12 AM. Base sell price is 200g, making it one of the most profitable spring fish.

The challenge? Rain is RNG. Spring doesn’t guarantee multiple rainy days, and if you’re in Year 1 without a Rain Totem, you’re at the mercy of the weather forecast. When it does rain, prioritize the river over other locations. Catfish has a medium-high difficulty rating, so newer players should use Trap Bobbers to slow the escape bar.

Catfish is required for the River Fish Bundle at the community center. It’s also needed for the Specialty Fish Bundle if you’re going the Remixed Bundles route (introduced in the 1.5 update). Miss it in spring, and you’re locked out until fall, or next spring if you miss fall too.

Flounder: Beach Fishing Essentials

Flounder spawns exclusively on the beach during spring and summer, from 6 AM to 8 PM. It’s a relatively easy catch with a low difficulty rating, making it beginner-friendly. Base sell price is 100g.

Flounder is required for the Ocean Fish Bundle. It’s one of the easier spring-exclusives to snag, but timing matters, if you fish too late in the day, it stops spawning. Unlike Catfish, Flounder doesn’t require rain, so you can target it on any clear day.

The beach is also a great location for leveling up your fishing skill early. Sardines and Anchovies are abundant, and the casting distance is forgiving.

Eel: Night Fishing Strategies

Eel is another spring-exclusive that demands specific conditions. It only appears on the beach during rainy weather, between 4 PM and 2 AM. Base sell price is 85g, but it’s required for the Night Fishing Bundle.

Eels are trickier than Flounder because you need both rain and evening timing. If it rains early in the day, you can’t catch Eel until 4 PM. And if the rain stops before evening, you’re out of luck.

The good news? Eel has a low difficulty rating, so once you find the right conditions, it’s an easy catch. Stock up on bait, head to the beach during rainy evenings, and prioritize Eel over other night fish if you’re working on bundles.

Best Fishing Spots for Spring in Stardew Valley

Not all water tiles are created equal. Certain fishing spots have higher spawn rates for rare fish, better loot tables, and easier casting angles. Here’s where to focus your efforts.

The Mountain Lake Hotspot

The mountain lake northeast of Robin’s house is one of the most underrated fishing spots in spring. It’s compact, easy to navigate, and offers clean sight lines for max-distance casts.

Why it’s good: Largemouth Bass spawns reliably here during daylight hours, and the smaller fishing area means fewer wasted casts. The lake also has lower trash rates than the river, so you’re pulling up fish more consistently.

What to target: Largemouth Bass (6 AM–7 PM) and Bullhead (all day). Both count toward community center bundles, and Bass sells for a solid 100g.

Pro tip: Cast toward the center of the lake for slightly better odds at rare fish. Stardew’s fishing mechanics favor longer casts in certain biomes, and mountain lake is one of them.

River Fishing Near Leah’s Cottage

The river section east of Leah’s cottage (near the forest) is one of the best river fishing spots in the game. The water is deep, the casting area is wide, and Catfish spawn rates are notably higher here during rain.

Why it’s good: This section of the river has fewer visual obstacles and a higher concentration of rare fish tiles. Players have reported better Catfish and Shad spawn rates compared to the river near Marnie’s ranch or the town bridge.

What to target: Catfish (rainy days, 6 AM–12 AM) and Smallmouth Bass (all day). Both are high-value catches, and the location is convenient for players farming in the forest or gathering wood.

Pro tip: Use Trap Bobbers here. Catfish has a moderate difficulty rating, and the slower escape bar gives you more room for error if you’re still leveling your fishing skill. Players still working on choosing Fisher profession will find this spot particularly forgiving.

Beach Fishing During Rain

The beach becomes a priority location during rainy spring days and evenings. Eel spawns here from 4 PM to 2 AM, and the combination of Flounder, Sardine, and Anchovy makes it a high-volume fishing area.

Why it’s good: The beach has one of the lowest trash rates in the game, especially if you’re casting near the wooden pier or the tidal pools on the right side. Rain also boosts the spawn rate of rare fish like Eel and Halibut.

What to target: Eel (4 PM–2 AM, rainy weather), Flounder (6 AM–8 PM), and Halibut (6 AM–11 AM and 7 PM–2 AM).

Pro tip: Fish near the end of the pier for maximum distance. Longer casts pull from better loot tables, and the pier gives you a straight shot into deep water without obstacles.

Spring Legendary Fish: The Crimsonfish

Crimsonfish is the spring legendary fish, and it’s one of the hardest catches in Stardew Valley. It spawns exclusively on the beach east of Willy’s shop, but only from Spring 12 to Spring 28, between 6 AM and 8 PM. You need a fishing skill of at least Level 5 to have a realistic shot at hooking it.

Crimsonfish sells for 1,500g base (2,250g with Fisher and Angler professions), making it the most valuable single fish you can catch in spring. But the difficulty rating is maxed out, this fish moves fast, with erratic darting patterns that punish slow reflexes.

Gear requirements:

• Iridium Rod (purchased from Willy for 7,500g after reaching Fishing Level 6)
• Trap Bobber or Cork Bobber (Trap Bobber slows escape speed: Cork Bobber increases your fishing bar size)
• Dish o’ the Sea buff food (crafted with 2 Sardines and 1 Hashbrowns: grants +3 Fishing)

Some players prefer Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing) if they have access to Flounder, but Dish o’ the Sea is easier to craft early.

Strategy: Cast as far east as possible from the beach. Crimsonfish requires a max-distance cast to spawn. Use a Trap Bobber to slow its escape, and don’t spam-click, smooth, controlled taps work better. If you’re struggling, eat a buff food right before casting to push your effective fishing level higher. Many players report meta analysis guides emphasizing the importance of tackle choice for legendary fish.

If you miss the Crimsonfish window in spring, you’ll have to wait until next year. There’s no second chance in the same playthrough year.

Optimal Fishing Times and Weather Conditions

Fish spawns in Stardew Valley are heavily time- and weather-dependent. Knowing when and where to fish can double or triple your efficiency.

Rainy Day Spring Fishing

Rain is the single most important weather condition for spring fishing. It unlocks several high-value and bundle-required fish that don’t spawn otherwise:

• Catfish (river, 6 AM–12 AM)
• Eel (beach, 4 PM–2 AM)
• Shad (river, 9 AM–2 AM)

Rainy days also boost the spawn rate of certain other fish and reduce trash catches. If you’re fishing in the river during rain, you’re far more likely to pull Catfish and Shad than Chub or Carp.

Strategy: Check the TV weather forecast every morning (or the weather icon in the top-right corner of the screen). If rain is coming, clear your schedule and prioritize fishing. Rain is RNG, and you might only get 2–4 rainy days in spring. Don’t waste them.

If you have access to Rain Totems (crafted with Hardwood, Truffle Oil, and Pine Tar), you can force rain the next day. But in Year 1, these are expensive and hard to craft. Save them for late-spring if you’re desperate for Catfish or Eel.

Time of Day Impact on Spring Catches

Several spring fish have strict time windows:

• Flounder stops spawning after 8 PM. Fish the beach during the day.
• Eel only spawns from 4 PM onward. Don’t waste rainy mornings waiting for it.
• Largemouth Bass disappears after 7 PM. Hit the mountain lake during daylight.
• Halibut has two windows: 6 AM–11 AM and 7 PM–2 AM. Early morning or late night only.

Time management is critical. If you’re targeting multiple fish in one day, plan your route. Fish the mountain lake in the morning for Largemouth Bass, hit the beach in the afternoon for Flounder, then return to the beach after 4 PM for Eel if it’s raining.

Pro tip: Carry a stack of bait and tackle so you don’t have to return to the shop mid-session. Willy’s shop closes at 5 PM, and if you run out of bait, you’re done for the day unless you crafted backups.

Essential Fishing Gear and Tackle for Spring

Fishing in Stardew Valley is skill-based, but gear makes a massive difference. The right rod, bait, and tackle can turn impossible catches into routine hauls.

Best Bait and Tackle Combinations

Bait increases bite rate by roughly 50%, cutting down wait time between catches. You craft it from Bug Meat (5 bait per 1 Bug Meat) or buy it from Willy for 5g each. Always use bait, there’s no reason not to.

Tackle attaches to the Iridium Rod and provides passive bonuses. Best tackle for spring fishing:

• Trap Bobber: Slows the escape bar drain when the fish is outside your green bar. Essential for hard catches like Catfish and Crimsonfish. Craft it with 10 Copper Bars and 1 Sap, or buy from Willy for 500g.
• Cork Bobber: Increases your fishing bar size, making all catches easier. Craft with 10 Wood, 5 Hardwood, and 10 Slime. Great for beginners or low-level fishing skills.
• Dressed Spinner: Increases bite rate. Less useful than Trap or Cork for spring priorities, but solid for high-volume grinding.

For spring specifically, Trap Bobber is the top choice. Most of the high-value fish (Catfish, Crimsonfish) have moderate-to-high difficulty ratings, and Trap Bobber gives you more margin for error.

Rod Upgrades Worth Getting Before Spring

You start with a Bamboo Pole, which can’t use bait or tackle. Willy gives you a Fiberglass Rod for free once you hit Fishing Level 2. The Fiberglass Rod allows bait but no tackle.

The Iridium Rod is the endgame rod. It supports both bait and tackle, and it’s required for legendary fish like Crimsonfish. Willy sells it for 7,500g after you reach Fishing Level 6.

Upgrade priority:

1. Get the Fiberglass Rod as soon as possible (Level 2). Bait alone makes fishing 50% faster.
2. Grind to Level 6 and buy the Iridium Rod before Spring 12 if you’re chasing Crimsonfish.
3. Stockpile Trap Bobbers before rainy days.

If you’re in Year 1 and haven’t hit Level 6 yet, focus on grinding fish in the mountain lake or river. Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass are easy catches that give solid XP. Some players find skill progression routes helpful for optimizing early-game leveling paths.

Profitable Spring Fish for Making Gold

Fishing is one of the fastest ways to build wealth in Year 1, and spring offers some of the best gold-per-hour returns. Here’s what to target if you’re farming cash.

Top earners:

• Crimsonfish: 1,500g base (2,250g with Fisher + Angler). Only catchable Spring 12–28. One fish pays for an Iridium Rod.
• Catfish: 200g base (280g with Fisher). Spawns during rain. Stack multiple catches in one rainy day for 2,000–3,000g.
• Largemouth Bass: 100g base (140g with Fisher). Reliable daytime catch at mountain lake. Easy to grind.
• Flounder: 100g base (140g with Fisher). Beach daytime fishing. Low difficulty, consistent income.
• Halibut: 80g base (112g with Fisher). Trickier time windows, but solid filler for evening fishing.

Strategy for maximum profit:

1. Fish the river during rainy days for Catfish. One full day of rain can net 3,000–5,000g if you’re efficient.
2. Target Crimsonfish on a sunny day between Spring 12–28. Eat buff food, use Trap Bobber, and don’t leave until you catch it.
3. Grind Largemouth Bass at mountain lake on non-rainy days. It’s low-stress, medium-value, and levels your fishing skill quickly.
4. Save low-value fish (Chub, Carp, Bream) for Crab Pots or ignore them entirely. They’re not worth the inventory space unless you’re completing bundles.

Fisher vs. Trapper profession: At Fishing Level 5, you choose between Fisher (fish worth 25% more) and Trapper (resources from Crab Pots worth 25% more). For spring profit, Fisher is the clear winner. Crab Pots are passive income, but active fishing with Fisher generates far more gold.

At Level 10, Fisher branches into Angler (fish worth 50% more) or Pirate (more treasure chests). Angler is the profit-maximizing choice. Pirate is fun for treasure hunters but doesn’t match the raw gold output of Angler.

Community Center Bundles and Spring Fish Requirements

The Fish Tank at the community center contains six bundles, and several require spring-exclusive fish. Completing these bundles early accelerates your progression and unlocks key rewards.

River Fish Bundle:

• Sunfish (river, 6 AM–7 PM, sunny weather, spring and summer)
• Catfish (river, rainy days, spring and fall)
• Shad (river, rainy days, 9 AM–2 AM, spring/summer/fall)
• Tiger Trout (river, 6 AM–7 PM, fall and winter)

Catfish is the spring priority here. Shad also spawns in spring during rain, so knock out both on rainy days. Sunfish is easy, just fish the river on any sunny morning.

Ocean Fish Bundle:

• Sardine (ocean, 6 AM–7 PM, spring/fall/winter)
• Tuna (ocean, 6 AM–7 PM, summer and winter)
• Red Snapper (ocean, 6 AM–7 PM, rainy days, summer and fall)
• Tilapia (ocean, 6 AM–2 PM, summer and fall)

Sardine is abundant in spring. Flounder isn’t required for this bundle, but it’s a good catch for the quality fish bundle or selling.

Specialty Fish Bundle:

• Pufferfish (ocean, 12 PM–4 PM, sunny weather, summer)
• Ghostfish (mines, floors 20/60, all seasons)
• Sandfish (desert, 6 AM–8 PM, all seasons)
• Woodskip (Secret Woods, all day, all seasons)

Woodskip is available in spring, but it’s rare. The Secret Woods pond is small, so grinding for it is tedious. Some players save this bundle for later.

Night Fishing Bundle:

• Walleye (river/mountain lake, 12 PM–2 AM, rainy days, fall)
• Bream (river, 6 PM–2 AM, all seasons)
• Eel (ocean, 4 PM–2 AM, rainy weather, spring and fall)

Eel is the spring target. Bream is common and easy to catch in the river during evening hours. Walleye requires fall, so you’ll finish this bundle later. Players working on other fish like Walleye often return to the river in autumn.

Lake Fish Bundle:

• Largemouth Bass (mountain lake, 6 AM–7 PM, all seasons except winter)
• Carp (mountain lake, all day, all seasons)
• Bullhead (mountain lake, all day, all seasons)
• Sturgeon (mountain lake, 6 AM–7 PM, summer and winter)

Largemouth Bass, Carp, and Bullhead are all available in spring. Knock these out early at the mountain lake.

Quality Fish Bundle:

• Any four fish of gold-star quality or higher

This bundle is RNG-dependent. Higher fishing skill increases the chance of gold-star catches. Target easy fish like Largemouth Bass or Sunfish and grind until you get gold stars.

Reward: Completing the Fish Tank unlocks Glittering Boulder removal (access to the quarry) and the Bridge Repair on the beach (access to tidal pools). Both are valuable, but the quarry is a consistent source of ore and gems.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Spring Fishing

Even experienced players make avoidable mistakes that cost them time, gold, or rare fish. Here’s what to watch out for.

Not checking the weather forecast: The TV in your farmhouse shows tomorrow’s weather. Rain unlocks Catfish, Eel, and Shad, three of the most important spring fish. If you ignore the forecast, you’ll miss critical fishing windows. Make checking the weather part of your daily routine.

Fishing without bait or tackle: The Bamboo Pole is useless after Level 2. Upgrade to the Fiberglass Rod and always use bait. Fishing without bait cuts your catch rate in half. If you’re chasing hard fish like Crimsonfish, use Trap Bobber or Cork Bobber. Tackle is reusable, so there’s no reason to skip it.

Ignoring time windows: Flounder stops spawning at 8 PM. Eel doesn’t start until 4 PM. Halibut has a narrow morning and late-night window. If you fish the beach at 9 PM expecting Flounder, you’ll waste time on Sardines and Anchovies. Plan your fishing route based on what’s available when.

Skipping Crimsonfish: It’s tempting to put off legendary fish, but Crimsonfish is only catchable Spring 12–28. If you’re not at Fishing Level 6 by Spring 12, you’re locked out for the year. Prioritize leveling your fishing skill early in spring so you’re ready when the window opens.

Selling everything immediately: Some fish are required for community center bundles or quests. Before you sell, check the bundle list or keep one of each fish in a chest. Catfish, Eel, and Flounder are all bundle requirements, and re-catching them wastes time.

Wasting rainy days on non-fishing activities: Rain in spring is rare and valuable. If it’s raining, drop everything and fish. Catfish sells for 200g, Eel is bundle-required, and Shad is decent income. Rainy days are the highest ROI fishing sessions in the game. Don’t spend them chopping wood or mining unless you’ve already caught what you need.

Fishing in bad spots: Not all water tiles are equal. The river near the bus stop has higher trash rates than the river near Leah’s cottage. The beach pier gives better casts than fishing from the sand. The mountain lake is cleaner than the forest pond. Learn the high-quality spots and stick to them.

Not using buff food for legendary fish: Crimsonfish is borderline impossible at low fishing skill. Dish o’ the Sea or Seafoam Pudding grants +3 or +4 Fishing, effectively boosting your skill level and making the catch easier. Buff food lasts 5 minutes and 35 seconds, plenty of time for multiple casts. Guides like those on Twinfinite often emphasize food buffs as the difference between success and failure on legendary catches.

Conclusion

Spring fishing is one of the most rewarding and time-sensitive activities in Stardew Valley. From the community center bundles to the Crimsonfish chase, every rainy day and time window counts. Prioritize spring-exclusives like Catfish, Eel, and Flounder, upgrade your rod and tackle early, and don’t sleep on the weather forecast.

Whether you’re grinding gold, completing bundles, or chasing Master Angler, spring is where it all begins. Plan your route, stock up on bait, and hit the water. Summer’s coming fast, and some of these fish won’t wait.