Dorado
A golden freshwater fish prized by sport fishermen. Known for its spectacular fighting ability.
Quick answer
Where to catch Dorado in Stardew Valley
Catch Dorado at Forest Pond during Summer from 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM in any weather. It sells for 100g at normal quality and 200g when smoked; difficulty 78 makes tackle preparation important.
Forest Pond
Summer
6:00 AM - 7:00 PM, any weather
100g base, 200g iridium
80g Roe -> 160g Aged Roe
Trap Bobber or Barbed Hook
Keep only if needed for bundles, gifts, cooking, or ponds
Price decision
Sell, smoke, or use a Fish Pond?
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Sell directly
100g
Normal quality
Smoke once
200g
+100g before Coal and machine time
One pond product
80g Roe → 160g
Aged Roe; not daily profit
Is Dorado worth keeping?
Keep Dorado if it fills a bundle, recipe, gift, Fish Pond, or collection goal.
When to sell or smoke it
Sell or smoke extra Dorado when you need gold and do not have a specific use for it.
Fish Pond and Roe
80g Roe can become 160g Aged Roe. Fish Pond output depends on pond population and random daily production rolls. Formula value: 80g Roe, then 160g 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
Dorado Fish Pond output
Final daily chances at population 10; each value already includes the pond's 95% base output check and ordered item rolls.
Any item per day
95%
Maximum population
10
Population growth
Every 3 days
| Possible item | Quantity | Overall daily chance |
|---|---|---|
| Bug Meat | 20 | 4.8% |
| Roe | 1 minimum | 90% |
Where & When to Find Dorado
Location
- Forest Pond
A rare catch in the forest pond during summer.
Time & Conditions
Difficulty & Catching Strategy
Difficulty: 78
HardChallenging catch requiring skill
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 Dorado
One of the rarer fish in the forest pond. Difficulty 78 makes it a good challenge.
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
| Quality | Price |
|---|---|
| Normal | 100g |
| Silver | 125g |
| Gold | 150g |
| Iridium | 200g |
Smoked Fish Value
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 Quality | Fish Value | Smoked Value |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 100g | 200g |
| Silver | 125g | 250g |
| Gold | 150g | 300g |
| Iridium | 200g | 400g |
Formula: fish sell price x 2. See the formula audit for source notes.
Uses for Dorado
- High-value summer fish
- Sashimi
- Challenging pond catch
Did You Know?
The dorado (meaning 'golden' in Spanish) is famous for acrobatic leaps when hooked.