Catfish

Catfish

A whiskered bottom-feeder that feeds on small molluscs. Its barbels help it navigate murky river waters.

Spring Summer Fall Hard (75)Rainy
Base Price
200g

Quick answer

Where to catch Catfish in Stardew Valley

Catch Catfish at River or Secret Woods or Witch's Swamp during Spring, Summer, Fall from 6:00 AM - 12:00 AM in rainy weather. It sells for 200g at normal quality and 400g when smoked; difficulty 75 makes tackle preparation important.

Catfish
Where to catch

River or Secret Woods or Witch's Swamp

Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Time

6:00 AM - 12:00 AM, rainy weather

Sell price

200g base, 400g iridium

Fish pond value

130g Roe -> 260g Aged Roe

Best tackle

Trap Bobber or Barbed Hook

Keep or sell

Keep only if needed for bundles, gifts, cooking, or ponds

All fish locationsBest fish by seasonFish pond valuesBest fish ponds

Price decision

Sell, smoke, or use a Fish Pond?

Change professions to compare the same fish without changing the page or URL.

Sell directly

200g

Normal quality

Smoke once

400g

+200g before Coal and machine time

One pond product

130g Roe → 260g

Aged Roe; not daily profit

Is Catfish worth keeping?

Keep Catfish if it fills a bundle, recipe, gift, Fish Pond, or collection goal.

When to sell or smoke it

Sell or smoke extra Catfish when you need gold and do not have a specific use for it.

Fish Pond and Roe

130g Roe can become 260g Aged Roe. Fish Pond output depends on pond population and random daily production rolls. Formula value: 130g Roe, then 260g Aged Roe.

Fish Pond output depends on pond population and random daily production rolls. The exact max-population output table and first capacity quest are shown below.

Verified 1.6.15 pond rules

Catfish Fish Pond output

Final daily chances at population 10; each value already includes the pond's 95% base output check and ordered item rolls.

Open calculator

Any item per day

95%

Maximum population

10

Population growth

Every 4 days

Possible itemQuantityOverall daily chance
Roe1 minimum95%
First capacity quest: at 3 fish, bring one of 3 Copper Bar; 3 Red Mushroom; 2 Amethyst; 2 Topaz to unlock capacity 4. Roe quantities are minimums before the repeated 20% extra-Roe roll; a Golden Animal Cracker doubles the final quantity, not these probabilities.

Where & When to Find Catfish

Location

  • River
  • Secret Woods
  • Witch's Swamp

Found in rivers and secret woods during rainy days across three seasons.

Time & Conditions

6:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Rainy weather required

Difficulty & Catching Strategy

Difficulty: 75

Hard

Challenging catch requiring skill

EasyHardLegend (110)

Mixed Behavior

Unpredictable movement that alternates between different patterns. Requires adaptability.

Tip: Stay centered and react to changes. Don't commit too heavily to one direction.

Expert Tips for Catfish

Wait for a rainy day in spring, summer, or fall. The river locations in town are excellent spots. This fish is needed for the River Fish Bundle.

Recommended Tackle

Trap Bobber

Slower catch bar drain

Best for: Difficult fish that move a lot

Barbed Hook

Clinging to fish

Best for: Smooth/mixed behavior fish

Tackle requires an Iridium Rod. Purchase from Willy's shop at Fishing Level 6.

Sell Prices by Quality

Fish bonus: Inactive
QualityPrice
Normal200g
Silver250g
Gold300g
Iridium400g

Smoked Fish Value

Artisan: Inactive

The Fish Smoker uses 1 Coal and doubles the fish sell price while preserving quality. Fisher or Angler changes the fish value first; Artisan then increases the smoked product.

Input QualityFish ValueSmoked Value
Normal200g400g
Silver250g500g
Gold300g600g
Iridium400g800g

Formula: fish sell price x 2. See the formula audit for source notes.

Uses for Catfish

  • Quality Fish Pond fish
  • Maki Roll ingredient
  • Sashimi

Did You Know?

Catfish are named for their prominent barbels (whiskers) which resemble a cat's whiskers.