Finding Every Stardew Catfish Location for Rainy Days

Catfish represent one of the first significant skill checks for players in Stardew Valley. Known for their erratic movement and strict spawning conditions, these fish are essential for completing the River Fish Bundle in the Community Center. As of the current 2026 game environment, including the refinements from the 1.6 update, locating and catching a Catfish requires a blend of timing, weather management, and technical skill.

Core data and spawning conditions

Before heading to the water, you must understand the primary constraints that dictate when a Catfish is available. Unlike common river fish, the Catfish is highly sensitive to the environment.

Seasons: Spring and Fall (Primary); Summer (Secret Woods and Witch's Swamp only); Winter (Requires Rain Totem).
Weather: Rain. This is non-negotiable unless using Magic Bait.
Time: 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM (Midnight).
Difficulty: 75 (Mixed movement pattern).

Every specific Stardew catfish location mapped out

The "River" in Stardew Valley isn't a single entity but a series of interconnected zones. Depending on your farm layout and progression, some spots offer better efficiency than others.

1. Pelican Town River

This is the most accessible spot for most players. The river runs through the heart of the town, from the north near the Mine entrance down past the Mayor’s Manor and towards the beach transition.

Optimal Spot: Fishing from the bridge near Jodi’s house or the small islands near the Library often yields high-quality results.
Tip: Look for deep water tiles (darker blue) to increase the chance of pulling up an Iridium-quality fish.

2. Cindersap Forest River

South of your farm, the river flowing past Leah’s cottage and the Abandoned House (Hat Mouse) is a prime Catfish habitat. During a rainy Spring day, the spawn rate here is high. It provides more space to find "bubbles" (fishing hotspots) than the narrower town corridors.

3. The Secret Woods Pond

Many players overlook this location during the Summer. While Catfish disappear from the main town rivers when Summer hits, they remain active in the Secret Woods pond during rainy weather.

Access: Requires a Steel Axe to break the large log in the northwest corner of Cindersap Forest.
Benefit: This is the most reliable way to get a Catfish for the Master Fisher quest or bundles if you missed the Spring window.

4. The Witch's Swamp

Available in the late game after completing the "Dark Talisman" quest. The swamp acts similarly to the Secret Woods, allowing you to catch Catfish in Spring, Summer, and Fall during rainy weather. The eerie green waters have a high spawn rate for this species.

5. Specific Farm Map Rivers

If you chose a specialized farm layout, you might not even need to leave your property. Catfish spawn in the pond/river sections of the following maps during rainy Spring or Fall days:

Riverlands Farm: High spawn frequency.
Forest Farm: Available in the western ponds.
Hill-top Farm: Available in the stream segment.
Meadowlands Farm: Note that the small ponds here primarily yield Blue Teal/Forest-specific fish, but the river-adjacent tiles can occasionally hook a Catfish.

How to catch a Catfish in Winter

Under normal circumstances, it does not rain in Winter; it snows. Since Catfish require rain, they are naturally unavailable. However, advanced players use the Rain Totem. Using a Rain Totem in Winter forces rain the following day instead of snow. This allows you to hunt for Catfish in the river or the Secret Woods even during the coldest season. This is particularly useful if you are aiming for a Year 1 completion of the Community Center and missed the Fall rains.

Alternative ways to acquire a Catfish

If the fishing minigame is proving too difficult or the weather RNG is not in your favor, there are several non-fishing methods to obtain a Catfish.

The Traveling Cart: The merchant appears on Fridays and Sundays in Cindersap Forest. She occasionally sells Catfish for 600–1,000g.
Garbage Cans: During Spring and Fall, checking the trash cans in Pelican Town (especially near the Stardrop Saloon or the Mayor's Manor) can rarely yield a Catfish. Just ensure no villagers are watching you.
Linus’s Gifts: If you have a high friendship level with Linus, he may randomly send you a fish in the mail, which can occasionally be a Catfish.
Pet Gifts (New in 1.6): If you have a pet cat and have reached maximum friendship (1,000 points), your cat has a small chance to bring you a "gift" in the morning. A Catfish is among the possible items a cat can present to a loving owner.
Community Center Reward: Once the Fish Tank is fully repaired, one Catfish is provided as part of the initial restocking of the tank, though this doesn't help with completing the bundle itself.

Mastery and Gear: Taming the Difficulty 75

The Catfish has a "Mixed" behavior, meaning it will dart up and down the bar with sudden pauses. If your Fishing level is below 5, catching one is significantly harder.

Recommended Loadout

Iridium Rod: This is essential for using tackle.
Trap Bobber: This is the single best tool for Catfish. It slows the rate at which the catching bar decreases when the fish is not inside the green rectangle. Since Catfish jump frequently, this gives you the breathing room needed to reposition.
Food Buffs: Consume a Dish O' The Sea (+3 Fishing) or Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing). Increasing your fishing level expands the size of your green bar, making the erratic jumps of the Catfish easier to track.
The "Lead Bobber": If you struggle with the bar bouncing off the bottom when the Catfish dives, the Lead Bobber adds weight and prevents the bounce.

The value of Catfish: Beyond the Bundle

While most players seek the Catfish for the River Fish Bundle, it has several other long-term uses in Stardew Valley.

Fish Ponds

Placing a Catfish in a Fish Pond (constructed by Robin) allows them to multiply.

Produced Items: They produce dark gray Catfish Roe. While not as lucrative as Sturgeon or Lava Eel roe, it can be processed in a Preserves Jar to create Aged Roe for a steady profit.
Quests: The fish will occasionally request items like Amethyst, Copper Bars, or Earth Crystals to expand their pond capacity.

Cooking and Crafting

Quality Fertilizer: One of the most practical uses for a low-quality Catfish. Mixing any fish with two Sap creates Quality Fertilizer, which is vital for growing Gold-star crops for the Quality Crops Bundle.
Sashimi: If you have the recipe from Linus, any Catfish can be turned into Sashimi, though given the sell price of a Catfish (200g+), this is usually an economic loss unless it's a base-quality fish and you need energy.
Tailoring: Using a Catfish in the Sewing Machine produces the dyeable Fish Shirt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I catch a Catfish in the Summer? Yes, but only in the Secret Woods pond or the Witch's Swamp. It will not spawn in the Pelican Town or Cindersap Forest rivers during Summer.

Does luck affect Catfish spawn rates? No. Daily luck affects the chance of finding treasure chests and the bite rate, but it does not change the specific fish species that appear in the water. The weather and location are the only deciding factors for Catfish.

What is the best time to go fishing for them? Since they are available from 6 AM, it is best to start as soon as you wake up on a rainy day. This gives you roughly 18 in-game hours to secure the catch. The bite rate does not significantly change at night, so a full-day session is recommended.

Is there a way to catch them without rain? Yes, by using Magic Bait. Magic Bait (purchasable from Qi's Walnut Room) allows you to catch any fish regardless of the current season, time, or weather. If you use Magic Bait in the river during a sunny day in Summer, you can still hook a Catfish.

Summary of Strategy

To maximize your success, wait for a rainy day in Spring. Ensure you have at least Level 6 Fishing to purchase the Iridium Rod from Willy. Equip a Trap Bobber and eat a meal that boosts your Fishing skill. Head to the bridge near the museum or the forest river and cast as far as possible into the deep water. With patience and the right tackle, the Catfish will eventually be yours.