The tranquil waters of Stardew Valley teem with diverse fish, each with its own unique preferences and challenges. Among these aquatic treasures lies the walleye, a prized catch for both its value and the thrill of the hunt. This elusive fish requires specific conditions and a touch of strategy to reel in, making it a coveted addition to any angler’s collection.
Where to Find the Walleye
Unlike many Stardew Valley fish, the walleye isn’t readily available throughout the year. Here’s the key information you need to know about finding this specific fish:
- Season: The walleye is a seasonal fish, appearing only during the Fall season.
- Weather: Rain is your best friend when walleye fishing. They can only be caught on rainy days in Fall.
- Location: There are three main fishing spots where you can encounter walleye during a rainy Fall day:
- The River: This is the most common location to find walleye, although it might not be the most productive due to the variety of fish present.
- Mountain Lake: This lake offers a slightly higher chance of catching walleye compared to the river.
- Cindersap Forest Pond: This hidden pond within the Cindersap Forest boasts the best odds of landing a walleye. It’s a smaller body of water, with fewer fish species competing for your bait.
Pro Tip: If Fall has arrived and rain isn’t cooperating, fret not! You can use a Rain Totem to artificially trigger a rainy day. Rain Totems can be crafted with 1 Wood, 5 Hardwood, and 1 Coal, or purchased from the Travelling Cart on rainy days for 1,000 – 2,500 gold.
Expanding Your Fishing Horizons: Alternative Methods
While the traditional approach of waiting for a rainy Fall day is reliable, there are alternative methods to snag a walleye, especially if you’re impatient or rain just isn’t in the forecast:
- Qi’s Walnut Room: Deep within the Skull Cavern lies Qi’s Walnut Room, a secret area unlocked after completing a specific quest. This endgame location offers a variety of unique rewards, including the coveted Magic Bait. This special bait allows you to catch any fish regardless of season, weather, or location. With the Magic Bait in hand, you can fish for walleye any time you like.
- Travelling Cart: This whimsical merchant visits Stardew Valley on Fridays and Sundays, offering a random selection of items, including fish. While uncommon, the Travelling Cart can sometimes sell walleye for a price ranging between 315 and 1,000 gold. Keep an eye out on Fridays and Sundays, and you might just get lucky!
- Garbage Cans (Fall/Winter Only): This method is highly unlikely, but not entirely impossible. During Fall and Winter (when walleye can appear in the game), there’s a tiny chance of finding a walleye while rummaging through garbage cans. This is purely a game of chance, so don’t rely on it as a primary strategy.
Conquering the Catch: Essential Fishing Tips
Now that you know where and when to find walleye, here are some essential tips to maximize your chances of successfully reeling one in:
- Fishing Level: The higher your fishing level, the easier it will be to catch fish in general, including walleye. Focus on improving your fishing skill by diligently fishing throughout the year.
- Fishing Rod: While a basic fishing rod will technically work, a higher quality rod will increase your chances of landing a catch, especially when dealing with trickier fish like the walleye. Upgrading your rod to an Iridium Rod is ideal, but even a Steel Fishing Rod can provide a significant advantage.
- Bait: While bait isn’t strictly necessary for catching walleye, using a quality bait like Trout Soup or Iridium Bait can significantly improve your bite rate. These baits increase the size of the green fishing bar, giving you more wiggle room to reel in the fish before the bar runs out.
- Casting Technique: The walleye is a moderately difficult fish to catch. It has a somewhat fast swimming speed, so be prepared to react quickly when it bites. Pay close attention to the bobber and be ready to set the hook (by left-clicking) as soon as it dips below the surface. Once hooked, focus on keeping the green bar within the white meter by carefully tapping the left mouse button. Reeling in a fish requires patience and practice; don’t jerk the line or you risk losing your catch.
FAQs
What is a walleye?
In Stardew Valley, the walleye is a freshwater fish prized by anglers. It sells for a good price and is needed to complete the Night Fishing Bundle in the Fish Tank at the Community Center.
Where can I catch a walleye?
There are several locations where you can catch a walleye:
- Rivers: Both the river in Pelican Town and the one in the Cindersap Forest area are good spots.
- Mountain Lake: This lake offers another chance to reel in a walleye.
- Cindersap Forest Pond: This is the most recommended location, especially during Fall on rainy days. Here, you’ll have a whopping 32% chance of catching a walleye with each cast!
- Your Farm Pond (Riverland or Forest Farm only): If you chose either the Riverland Farm or Forest Farm at the beginning of the game, you can fish for walleye in your own pond.
When can I catch a walleye?
Walleye are a seasonal fish, primarily found in Fall. They are most active at night, between 12 pm and 2 am. However, there are ways to catch them outside this timeframe:
- Rainy Days: During Fall, if it’s raining, your chances of catching a walleye significantly increase, especially in the Cindersap Forest Pond.
- Winter with Rain Totems: If you have Rain Totems, you can use them in Winter to create rainy days and improve your chances of catching a walleye.
- Magic Bait: This special bait allows you to catch any fish regardless of season, weather, or time.
Are there any tips for catching a walleye?
- Upgrade your Fishing Rod: A better rod increases your fishing level, making it easier to catch more challenging fish like the walleye.
- Use the right bait: Night fishing bait can improve your chances of catching a walleye at night.
- Fish during rain (Fall): As mentioned earlier, rainy days in the Fall significantly improve your walleye catch rate, especially in the Cindersap Forest Pond.
- Be patient: Walleye can be tricky to catch, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a few tries.
What can I do with a walleye?
There are a couple of things you can do with a walleye:
- Sell it: Walleyes sell for a good price (between 315g and 1,000g depending on quality).
- Donate it: The walleye is needed to complete the Night Fishing Bundle in the Fish Tank at the Community Center.
- Stock your Fish Pond: Placing a walleye in a Fish Pond will allow it to reproduce, providing you with a steady supply of yellow Walleye Roe.
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