Completing Year One Fish Tank Bundles: A Quick Guide

Mastering Fishing in Stardew Valley: Tips for Success

Fishing presents a significant challenge for many players in Stardew Valley, particularly when it comes to completing the Fish Tank Bundle. With the recent 1.6 update introducing new features and strategies, farmers are eager to start fresh saves and restore the Community Center to its former glory. To successfully restore the Community Center, you’ll need to harness every skill at your disposal to gather the diverse offerings of the valley.

Successfully completing the various fish bundles requires fishing in a multitude of environments, factoring in the time of day, the seasons, and even the weather. For novices, it might seem daunting. As a starting point, consider upgrading to at least the Fiberglass Rod. This upgrade allows you to attach bait, which expedites the fishing process. Progressing to the Iridium Rod not only enhances your fishing efficiency but also enables you to use tackle, simplifying the task of catching elusive and legendary fish.

River Fish Bundle

The River Fish Bundle consists of four fish, each differing in difficulty. Importantly, two of these fish can only be caught during rainy weather, making it crucial to keep an eye on the weather forecast. Most river fish are relatively easy to catch, aside from the Catfish, which can pose a challenge for newer players.

Most river fish can be caught during Spring, making this bundle an easy task until Fall when the Tiger Trout becomes available. Completing this bundle earns you Deluxe Bait, which is beneficial for landing more challenging catches in other bundles, making it advantageous to tackle this one early on.

Lake Fish Bundle

The Lake Fish Bundle stands out because it does not take weather into account; almost all fish can be caught in any season. For instance, the Bullhead, Carp, and Largemouth Bass are available regardless of weather conditions.

However, the Sturgeon is the trickiest catch in this bundle, requiring players to make their fishing attempts during Summer and Winter before 7 pm. Its erratic movements in the fishing minigame can lead to frustration, but facing this challenge in the Mountain Lake, especially during a fish frenzy, increases your chances of catching it.

Ocean Fish Bundle

You’ll likely cast your line at the ocean shortly after receiving your first rod from Willy. The Sardine, which can be caught in Spring during daylight hours, is often the first fish in your Ocean Fish Bundle. However, every other fish in this bundle is available in Summer. With good weather and timing, you could easily catch all but the Red Snapper in a single trip.

To capture the Red Snapper, plan a fishing excursion in either Summer or Fall during rainy weather. This fish can be particularly challenging to catch, but familiarity with its behavior makes it easier over time. Completing this bundle yields five Warp Totems to the Beach for more efficient ocean fishing.

Night Fishing Bundle

Fishing at night can be quite challenging, especially since two of the required fish only appear during rainy weather. Fortunately, the Bream is much easier to catch as it is available in rivers during all four seasons post-6 pm. The Eel requires rainy weather after 4 pm in the Ocean during Spring and Fall, while the Walleye can only be caught in fall, also needing rainy conditions, after noon.

If you miss the Walleye in the fall, remember that you can use a Rain Totem during winter to increase your chances of catching it.

Crab Pot Bundle

The Crab Pot Bundle offers the easiest completion, as you simply need to set a crab pot, add bait, and wait for your catch. While you can forage for some required items on the beach, investing in crab pots is a wise move, especially if you’ve chosen the new Meadowlands Farm in version 1.6.

To craft a Crab Pot, reach Fishing level three, which allows you to either craft your own or buy them from Willy’s shop. Crafting requires three iron bars and 40 wood, so purchasing might be a better option for those who haven’t progressed deeply into the Mines yet.

Specialty Fish Bundle

The Specialty Fish Bundle requires players to visit various parts of the map, encouraging exploration of Pelican Town and the surrounding areas. Luckily, three of the four required fish can be caught in any season, making them easy targets whenever players are able to access these regions. However, the Pufferfish should be prioritized since it only appears in the Ocean during sunny weather in Summer for just a four-hour window each day. Thankfully, the Pufferfish isn’t difficult to catch.

Beyond that, the Ghostfish is located in ponds within the Mines, between floors 20 and 60. The Woodskip, available year-round, can be found exclusively in the Secret Woods or on a Forest Farm, while the Sandfish resides in a pond in the Desert and is accessible every season. Remember that unlocking the Desert portion of the map requires completing the Vault bundles, totaling 42,500g.

Completing all these bundles demands patience and skill, ensuring that players can thoroughly enjoy Stardew Valley‘s diverse fishing mechanics and fully restore the Community Center. Happy fishing!