Catch Catfish Easily: Locaions, Tips and Uses

Stardew Valley Fish Guide (2025): Catch Catfish & More Easily

Stardew Valley is an amazing farming game, and knowing more about it will help you achieve bigger and faster. Fishing is one of the top skills in Stardew Valley, and catfish is one of its kinds. Catfish is well-known for its appearance and uniqueness.

It is found in freshwaters in Stardew Valley and can be used in many special recipes and sold at higher prices. In this article, we will discuss why it is so famous and what are the places to find catfish and all other kinds.
Lets Explore

What Makes Catfish Unique in Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is full of adventure and exploration, and catching catfish is no less than an adventure. Here are its top characteristics.

It is found only in freshwaters in different places
It has specific times to catch, you can’t try to catch it anytime
Cafish has a higher selling price
You can use it in special recipes and to complete the bundle
It has an above-average difficulty rating, scoring around 75 (very tough).
You cannot predict its exact position due to its random movement. That makes it so difficult to find.
It requires focus and skilled fishing to catch catfish.

Before attempting to catch this unique fish, you will have to keep all these things in mind.

Where to catch catfish in Stardew Valley

Here are some best places you must try to catch catfish.

River in Pelican Town – A prime early-game spot where catfish appear during rainy spring and fall days.
Secret Woods Pond – A hidden gem perfect for catching catfish across three seasons when it rains.
Witch’s Swamp – A guaranteed catfish location year-round, once you unlock access through the Dark Talisman quest.
Hill-top Farm Pond – A convenient catch spot for Hill-top layout players, offering rare catfish on rainy days.

Stardew Valley fish Locations

Here are all the locations for all kinds of fish in the Stardew Valley updated version. You can also see what different types you can expect in different places.

Location	Fish Found There
River	Angler, Bream, Catfish, Chub, Dorado, Glacierfish, Glacierfish Jr., Goby, Lingcod, Ms. Angler, Perch, Pike, Rainbow Trout, Salmon, Shad, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Tiger Trout, Walleye
Beach	Albacore, Anchovy, Crimsonfish, Eel, Flounder, Halibut, Herring, Octopus, Pufferfish, Red Snapper, Sardine, Sea Cucumber, Son of Crimsonfish, Squid, Super Cucumber, Tuna
Mountain Lake	Bullhead, Carp, Chub, Largemouth Bass, Legend II, Lingcod, Midnight Carp, Perch, Rainbow Trout, Sturgeon, Walleye
Cindersap Forest Pond	Midnight Carp, Perch, Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye
Secret Woods	Carp, Catfish, Woodskip
Crab Pots	Clam, Cockle, Crab, Crayfish, Lobster, Mussel, Oyster, Periwinkle, Shrimp, Snail
Night Market (Winter)	Blobfish, Midnight Squid, Octopus, Sea Cucumber, Spook Fish, Super Cucumber
Witch’s Swamp	Catfish, Void Salmon
Mines	Ghostfish, Ice Pip, Lava Eel, Stonefish
Sewers	Carp, Mutant Carp, Radioactive Carp
Mutant Bug Lair	Carp, Slimejack
Desert	Sandfish, Scorpion Carp
Ginger Island	Blue Discus, Flounder, Lava Eel, Lionfish, Midnight Carp, Octopus, Pufferfish, Stingray, Super Cucumber, Tilapia, Tuna
Legendary Fish	Angler, Crimsonfish, Glacierfish, Glacierfish Jr., Legend, Legend II, Ms. Angler, Mutant Carp, Radioactive Carp, Son of Crimsonfish

Seasons and Time to Catch Catfish

Spring & Fall – Best seasons to find catfish in rivers and ponds.
Summer – Only available in the Secret Woods during rain.
Time: 6 AM to Midnight – Catfish are active all day until midnight.
Weather – Rain is required, except in Witch’s Swamp where they appear anytime.

How to Catch Catfish (Step-by-Step)

Here are expert tips and steps to easily end up with a catfish almost every time.

Recommended Gear

Use a Fiberglass or Iridium Rod with bait
Add a Trap Bobber to slow down fish movement
Level up the Fishing skill to increase the success rate

Catching Steps

Choose a rainy day and the right location to increase your odds. Catfish only appear in rivers and certain ponds during rain. Planning around the weather is key.
Cast your line near deep water (darker spots) for better fish quality. Deep water boosts both the chance of catching rare fish and the size/quality of your catch, improving profits.
React quickly—Catfish move fast and behave erratically. They have unpredictable, jumpy patterns in the fishing mini-game, so staying alert is essential to keeping them on the hook.
Use the tapping technique (not full hold) for better control. Instead of holding down the action button, tap gently to adjust the bar’s height smoothly and track the fish more accurately.

Bonus Tips for Catching Catfish

Eat Dish o’ the Sea: Boosts your fishing skill by +3, making catfish easier to catch.
Use Rain Totem: Summons rain, perfect for farming catfish outside rainy seasons.
Bring extra bait and food: Helps save time and keeps your energy up during long fishing sessions.
Upgrade to Iridium Rod: Allows use of bait and tackle, improving your chances significantly.
Starting and practicing: with some easy fish like Red Snapper can also be helpful.

No matter if you are an iOS or PC user, you can use the same techniques and tactics to find catfish.

Mobile fishing controls in Stardew Valley

Tap and hold to raise the green fishing bar.
Release to let the bar fall gradually.
Gently tap repeatedly for smoother control.
Use vibration feedback (if enabled) to time your actions.
Avoid long presses—Catfish move fast and require quick adjustments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Fishing outside the right season or during dry weather lowers your chances.
Trying too early without leveling your Fishing skill can lead to frustration.
Skipping food buffs and tackle puts you at a disadvantage against tough fish.
Casting in shallow spots or fishing at the wrong time wastes valuable in-game hours.

Other ways to get Catfish

Traveling Cart (Fridays & Sundays – expensive but random)
Fish Ponds (after catching one, can breed more over time)
Krobus’ Shop (very rare)

FAQs

You can catch catfish in the river (Pelican Town), Secret Woods pond, Witch’s Swamp, and Hill-top Farm pond during rainy days.

Catfish is available in spring and fall in most locations, and in summer only in the Secret Woods.

You can catch catfish between 6:00 AM and 12:00 AM (midnight).

Yes, rainy weather is required to catch catfish, unless you’re fishing in the Witch’s Swamp, where it appears in any weather.

Use the Iridium Rod, eat Dish o’ the Sea for a fishing boost, and cast into deep water on rainy days.

Conclusion

Fishing itself is a unique experience, and catching catfish is a gem. It has a unique nature and can be sold at higher rates, used in special recipes, and compelting bundles. It requires the right tools, timing, and tactics to catch. Catfish is good for both profit and an amazing adventure
No matter if you are cooking it or just doing it for fun, it is a lot of enjoyment and full of rewards.

Catch Catfish Easily: Locaions, Tips and Uses