Walleye
A freshwater fish caught at night. Named for its large, reflective eyes that help it see in low light.
Quick answer
Where to catch Walleye in Stardew Valley
Catch Walleye at River or Mountain Lake or Forest Pond during Fall from 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM in rainy weather. It sells for 105g at normal quality and 210g when smoked.
River or Mountain Lake or Forest Pond
Fall
12:00 PM - 2:00 AM, rainy weather
105g base, 210g iridium
82g Roe -> 164g Aged Roe
Spinner or Barbed Hook
Keep one for Night Fishing Bundle; do not miss Fall rain
Is Walleye worth keeping?
Keep the first Walleye for the Night Fishing Bundle. Its Fall, rain, and afternoon-to-night requirements stack together, which makes it easy to miss in Year 1.
When to sell or smoke it
Sell or smoke extras once the bundle is safe. Walleye is useful, but the real value is removing a seasonal bottleneck from your Community Center route.
Fish Pond and Roe
A Walleye pond can produce Roe, but it is not a priority pond for profit. Build it only after bundle needs and stronger pond candidates are handled. Formula value: 82g Roe, then 164g Aged Roe.
Best route
What to do with Walleye
Check the TV forecast in Fall. When rain hits, fish from noon to 2 AM at the River, Mountain Lake, or Forest Pond and keep the first Walleye for the bundle.
Plan around Fall rain
Required for the Night Fishing Bundle.
Most missed Walleye attempts fail one condition: wrong season, no rain, or fishing too early in the day. All three requirements matter.
Where & When to Find Walleye
Location
- River
- Mountain Lake
- Forest Pond
Found in multiple freshwater locations during rainy fall nights.
Time & Conditions
Difficulty & Catching Strategy
Difficulty: 45
EasyGood for building fishing XP
Smooth Behavior
Gradual, predictable movements. The fish moves steadily in one direction before changing.
Tip: Follow the fish smoothly. Anticipate direction changes and move gradually.
Expert Tips for Walleye
Requires both rain AND fall season, plus afternoon/night time. Check weather reports and plan ahead.
Recommended Tackle
Spinner
Faster bite rate
Best for: Farming XP quickly
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 | 105g |
| Silver | 131g |
| Gold | 157g |
| Iridium | 210g |
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 | 105g | 210g |
| Silver | 131g | 262g |
| Gold | 157g | 314g |
| Iridium | 210g | 420g |
Formula: fish sell price x 2. See the formula audit for source notes.
Uses for Walleye
- Night Fish Bundle
- Sashimi
- Fish pond
Did You Know?
Walleye get their name from their unique eyes that appear to 'wall out' due to a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum.