Catfish in Stardew Valley: How to Catch It, Location, and Uses

Catch Catfish in the river during rainy days in Spring or Fall, or fish the Secret Woods pond anytime during Summer for a weather-independent option.

The Catfish is one of Stardew Valley‘s trickiest fish to catch consistently. Its strict weather requirements and high difficulty rating of 75 make it a challenge that trips up many players working toward Community Center completion. You’ll need patience, the right tackle, and a willingness to fish in the rain to land this slippery customer.

Many players struggle with the Catfish because they don’t prepare for rainy day fishing or miss the narrow windows when rain actually occurs. The good news is that once you know the spots and timing, you can reliably catch Catfish throughout multiple seasons.

Where to Catch Catfish

The Catfish spawns in river locations, specifically in the Town River and Forest River areas. Your best bet is the river that runs through Pelican Town — cast your line anywhere along the flowing water near JojaMart or by the museum.

The Forest River south of your farm also works perfectly. This spot is often less crowded if you’re playing cross-platform multiplayer and want to avoid other players’ fishing spots.

Here’s the game-changer: the Secret Woods pond completely ignores weather requirements. During Summer, you can catch Catfish here rain or shine, making it the most reliable location. You’ll need to clear the fallen log blocking the entrance first — bring your steel axe or better.

Avoid the mountain lake and ocean entirely. The Catfish only spawns in river water, and I’ve seen too many players waste time fishing the wrong locations.

When to Catch Catfish

Timing is everything with the Catfish. You can only catch them during rainy weather in Spring and Fall, but Summer opens up the Secret Woods option.

Season	Time	Weather	Location	Difficulty
Spring	6 AM – 12 AM	Rain only	River (Town/Forest)	75
Summer	6 AM – 12 AM	Any	Secret Woods Pond	75
Fall	6 AM – 12 AM	Rain only	River (Town/Forest)	75

The 18-hour window from 6 AM to midnight gives you plenty of time once the weather cooperates. Check your TV weather forecast regularly — you don’t want to miss those precious rainy days.

Spring rain is your earliest shot at the Catfish, but don’t panic if you miss it. Fall provides another full season of opportunities, and Summer’s Secret Woods option acts as a perfect backup plan.

How to Catch Catfish

The Catfish has a difficulty rating of 75, making it one of the harder fish in the game. You’ll want at least fishing level 6 before attempting this — lower levels make the mini-game nearly impossible without perfect timing.

Equip a Trap Bobber if you have one. This tackle slows down the Catfish’s erratic movement pattern and gives you more room for error. The Catfish darts around unpredictably, so the Trap Bobber’s forgiveness is worth every bit of copper and iron you spent crafting it.

Cork Bobber works as a backup option, giving you a larger fishing bar to work with. Quality Bobber isn’t worth it here — you’re fishing for completion, not maximum profit.

Your fishing rod matters too. The iridium rod lets you use tackle, making this fight significantly easier. If you’re still using the bamboo pole, upgrade immediately or prepare for frustration.

Watch the bite pattern carefully. The Catfish creates a more aggressive bobber animation than easier fish, so don’t mistake it for trash or a common carp.

Catfish Uses

The Catfish serves multiple purposes beyond just filling your collection. Most importantly, you need one for the River Fish Bundle at the Community Center — this bundle unlocks the mine carts, making it important for efficient gameplay.

Cooking-wise, the Catfish makes decent Sashimi (75 health, 135 energy) and Maki Roll (100 health, 225 energy). Neither recipe is meta-defining, but they’re solid healing options if you’re swimming in Catfish.

Quality Fertilizer production uses any fish, including Catfish. One fish plus two sap creates five quality fertilizer, which is decent value if you’re not using the Catfish for other purposes.

Base sell prices aren’t impressive — 200g for regular quality up to 400g for iridium star. You’re not fishing Catfish for money; you’re fishing them for completion and utility.

Fish Ponds don’t support Catfish, so don’t plan on sustainable farming them. Once you’ve got your bundle fish and a few for cooking, you’re probably done with active Catfish hunting.

Tips for Catching Catfish

Here’s the strategy that works: prepare everything before rainy days hit. Stock up on bait, repair your tackle, and keep your energy topped off. Rain days are precious and you can’t afford to waste them on preparation.

Fish the Secret Woods in Summer if you missed Spring rain. It’s the most reliable method and eliminates weather RNG entirely. Yes, you need to clear that log first, but it’s worth the investment.

Don’t fish for Catfish below level 6 unless you’re extremely confident in your mini-game skills. The difficulty spike is real, and you’ll burn through energy and time with failed attempts.

Morning rain fishing is optimal. Start at 6 AM sharp and fish until you get your Catfish, then switch to other activities. This maximizes your productive day time while the weather cooperates.

Keep crab pots running in river locations. While you can’t catch Catfish in crab pots, you’ll gather other river fish for bundles and clear multiple objectives simultaneously.

Consider rain totems if you’re desperate. They’re expensive (5 hardwood, 1 truffle oil, 20 pine tar), but they guarantee rain the next day if natural weather isn’t cooperating.

Related Stardew Valley Guides

• Sturgeon Guide
• Walleye Guide
• Eel Guide
• Pufferfish Guide
• Largemouth Bass Guide
• Red Snapper Guide
• Master Fishing Guide

Can you catch Catfish without rain?

Only in the Secret Woods pond during Summer. All other locations require rainy weather in Spring or Fall.

What fishing level do you need for Catfish?

Level 6 minimum is recommended due to the 75 difficulty rating. Lower levels can work with perfect timing and Trap Bobber, but it’s frustrating.

Is Catfish needed for any bundles?

Yes, Catfish is required for the River Fish Bundle at the Community Center, which unlocks the mine cart system.