Stardew Valley Community Center Fish Tank Bundle: A Complete Guide

Completing the Community Center in Stardew Valley is a rewarding goal for many players, and the Fish Tank bundle is a key part of restoring the building to its former glory. While some bundles are straightforward, the Fish Tank can seem daunting to newcomers. Many players find themselves scratching their heads over which fish to catch, where, and when. If you’re looking to efficiently complete this bundle without constantly referencing the Stardew Valley Wiki, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will break down everything you need to know to fill that fish tank and reap the rewards.

Understanding the Fishing Landscape of Stardew Valley

Before diving into specific fish, it’s important to understand the different fishing locations in Stardew Valley. Knowing where to cast your line is half the battle. There are primarily three main fishing zones, each with its own unique fish population:

The River: This refers to any flowing water within Pelican Town and Cindersnap Forest. Importantly, this excludes the small pond in Cindersnap Forest with the pier and the Secret Woods pond, which are considered separate locations.
The Lake: Specifically, this is the large body of water situated in the mountains, near the Mines entrance. It’s a prime spot for lake-specific fish.
The Ocean: Anywhere you can fish from the Beach or the Tidal Pools counts as the Ocean. This expansive area holds a wide variety of saltwater fish.

Beyond these main areas, there are also a few special locations that house unique fish crucial for the Specialty Fish Bundle:

The Mines: Within the Mines, on levels 20 and 60, you’ll find pools of water where certain fish can be caught.
The Secret Woods: This hidden area in Cindersnap Forest contains a unique pond with fish not found elsewhere.
The Desert Oasis: Located in the Calico Desert, near the Skull Cavern entrance, the Oasis pond is home to desert-dwelling fish.

Understanding these locations is your first step towards mastering the Fish Tank Bundle. Now, let’s break down the fish you need to catch, organized by bundle and season for optimal efficiency.

Crab Pot Bundle: An Easy Start

The Crab Pot Bundle is often the easiest to complete and can be tackled almost immediately. It requires a collection of foraged items and one type of crab. Here’s what you need:

Oyster, Clam, Cockle, Mussel: These can all be foraged directly from the beach. Simply walk along the shoreline and collect these shellfish as you find them.
Crab: Crabs can be obtained by defeating Rock Crabs within the Mines. As you descend through the levels, keep an eye out for these enemies and defeat them to collect Crabs.

This bundle is incredibly straightforward, requiring no fishing rod at all if you focus on foraging and mining!

Specialty Fish Bundle: Location is Key

The Specialty Fish Bundle requires fish found in those unique, sometimes harder-to-reach locations. The good news is that three out of the four fish can be caught in any season, giving you flexibility.

Ghostfish: This elusive fish can be caught in the underground pools within the Mines, specifically on levels 20 and 60. Alternatively, Ghostfish can also be dropped as loot from Ghosts on Mines levels 41-79. Important Note: You cannot catch Ghostfish with a Training Rod.
Woodskip: Found in the serene pond of the Secret Woods, the Woodskip is another unique catch. Some players also report catching Woodskip on the Forest Farm layout. Important Note: A Training Rod will not work for catching Woodskip.
Sandfish: Venture into the Calico Desert and fish in the Oasis pond near the entrance to the Skull Cavern to find Sandfish. Important Note: You’ll need a standard rod, as the Training Rod is ineffective here.
Pufferfish: This is the seasonal fish in this bundle and is only available in Summer. You can find Pufferfish in the Ocean (Beach) between 12 PM and 4 PM on sunny days. Pufferfish are also known to be quite challenging to catch. Important Note: Training Rods are not effective for Pufferfish.

For the Specialty Fish Bundle, accessing the Mines, Secret Woods, and Desert is crucial. Focus on unlocking these areas to gather these unique fish.

Lake Fish Bundle: Accessible and Profitable

The Lake Fish Bundle features fish primarily found in the Mountain Lake. Many of these are easy to catch and can even be profitable for early game income.

Largemouth Bass: A common lake fish, the Largemouth Bass can be caught in the Lake between 6 AM and 7 PM. It’s a decent source of income and a staple for sport fishing in Stardew Valley. Important Note: Training Rods are not effective for Largemouth Bass.
Carp: Often considered a nuisance fish due to their low value, Carp are abundant and can be caught any time in the Lake, Secret Woods, and Sewers. Interestingly, in the Secret Woods and Sewers, they are only available during Winter. Good News: Carp can be caught with a Training Rod, making them excellent for leveling up your fishing skill early on.
Bullhead: Another common lake resident, Bullheads can be caught any time in the Lake. Good News: Bullheads are also catchable with a Training Rod and offer decent sell value.
Sturgeon: The final, and arguably most challenging, fish in the Lake Fish Bundle is the Sturgeon. Found in the Lake from 6 AM to 7 PM, the Sturgeon requires a good fishing skill and patience. It’s a valuable fish, though! Important Note: Training Rods will not catch Sturgeon. Sturgeon is only available in Summer and Winter.

The Lake Fish Bundle is relatively easy to complete, especially during Summer when Sturgeon is available, and offers a good opportunity to improve your fishing skill in the early game.

Night Fish Bundle: Fishing After Dark

The Night Fish Bundle is simple, featuring just one fish that is exclusively active during the night.

Bream: Bream are river fish that are active from 6 PM to 2 AM in the River, regardless of the weather. Great News: Bream can be caught using a Training Rod. If you are already fishing in the river during the day, extending your fishing session into the evening can easily net you a Bream.

Seasonal Fish Bundles: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

The remaining bundles are organized by season, featuring fish primarily caught during those times of the year. Let’s break them down season by season:

Spring Fish Bundle

River Fish (Spring):

Sunfish: A quintessential spring fish, Sunfish are found in the River during sunny days between 6 AM and 7 PM. Fantastic News: Sunfish are easily caught with a Training Rod. In fact, the tutorial first cast in the game is guaranteed to be a Sunfish if you are fishing in the right location and time!
Catfish: Catfish are more elusive and prefer rainy weather. They can be found in the River or Secret Woods between 6 AM and Midnight when it’s raining. Catfish can be quite profitable but are harder to catch for beginner anglers. Important Note: Training Rods will not catch Catfish.
Shad: Another rain-loving river fish, Shad are active in the River from 9 AM to 2 AM during rainy days. Good News: Shad can be caught with a Training Rod, making them a less risky catch than Catfish if you’re using basic equipment.

Ocean Fish (Spring):

Sardine: A very common ocean fish, Sardines are found at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM. Excellent News: Sardines are catchable with a Training Rod. If you start your fishing journey off Willy’s Pier, a Sardine might very well be your first catch!
Eel: Eels are nocturnal ocean fish, appearing in the Ocean from 4 PM to 2 AM only when it is raining. Important Note: Training Rods are ineffective against Eels. Eels are known to be quite difficult to reel in, so you might need to level up your fishing skill before targeting them, especially in early Spring.

Remember that Bream, from the Night Fish Bundle, are also available in Spring (and all seasons) in the River at night.

Summer Fish Bundle

River Fish (Summer):

Sunfish: If you missed the Sunfish in Spring, you can catch them again in the River during sunny days in Summer, between 6 AM and 7 PM. Still catchable with a Training Rod!
Catfish: In Summer, Catfish move primarily to the Secret Woods but remain active in rainy weather from 6 AM to Midnight. They are also found in the Riverlands Farm map river. Still not catchable with a Training Rod.
Shad: Just like in Spring, Shad are found in the River on rainy days in Summer, from 9 AM to 2 AM. Training Rod still works for Shad.

Lake Fish (Summer):

Sturgeon: Summer is a prime time to catch Sturgeon in the Lake between 6 AM and 7 PM, completing the Lake Fish Bundle if you haven’t already. Remember, no Training Rod for Sturgeon.

Ocean Fish (Summer):

Tuna: A popular ocean fish, Tuna can be caught at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM. Training Rods are not effective for Tuna.
Red Snapper: Red Snapper prefer rainy days and are found at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM when it’s raining. Good News: Red Snapper can be caught with a Training Rod.
Tilapia: Tilapia are early risers, found at the Beach from 6 AM to 2 PM. Training Rods are not effective for Tilapia. Make sure to fish for them earlier in the day as they become unavailable in the afternoon.

Specialty Fish (Summer):

Pufferfish: As mentioned earlier, Summer is the season for Pufferfish. They appear at the Beach from 12 PM to 4 PM on sunny days. Still no Training Rod effectiveness for Pufferfish.

If you catch a Sardine in Spring, Summer is the season where you can complete the Ocean Fish bundle and potentially the Specialty Fish Bundle if you manage to snag a Pufferfish.

Fall Fish Bundle

River Fish (Fall):

Catfish: Fall is another season where Catfish are active in the River or Secret Woods when it’s raining, from 6 AM to Midnight. Still no Training Rod for Catfish.
Shad: You can still find Shad in the River during rainy days in Fall, from 9 AM to 2 AM. Training Rods remain effective for Shad.
Tiger Trout: The key fish for the Fall River Fish Bundle is the Tiger Trout. Found in the River between 6 AM and 7 PM, Tiger Trout are exclusive to Fall and Winter. Important Note: Training Rods will not catch Tiger Trout. Fall becomes the earliest season you can complete the River Fish Bundle due to the Tiger Trout.

Ocean Fish (Fall):

Red Snapper: If you missed Red Snapper in Summer, Fall offers another chance. They are at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM during rainy weather. Training Rods still work for Red Snapper.
Tilapia: Fall is your last chance to catch Tilapia for the year if you missed them in Summer. They are at the Beach from 6 AM to 2 PM. Still no Training Rod for Tilapia, and remember they disappear early in the day.

Night Fishing (Fall):

Walleye: Fall is the only season to catch Walleye. They are active from 12 PM to 2 AM in the River, Lake, and Forest Pond (the one with the pier in Cindersnap Forest, not the Secret Woods pond) during rainy weather. Good News: Walleye can be caught with a Training Rod.
Eel: If you didn’t manage to catch an Eel in Spring, Fall provides another opportunity. They are in the Ocean from 4 PM to 2 AM when it’s raining. Still no Training Rod for Eels.

Fall is a significant season for bundle completion. Catching a Tiger Trout and a Walleye in Fall can allow you to complete both the River Fish and Night Fish Bundles.

Winter Fish Bundle

River Fish (Winter):

Tiger Trout: If you missed the Tiger Trout in Fall, Winter is your last chance. They are found in the River from 9 AM to 6 PM. Still no Training Rod for Tiger Trout.

Lake Fish (Winter):

Sturgeon: Winter is the final season to catch Sturgeon for the year if you missed them in Summer. They are in the Lake from 6 AM to 7 PM. Remember, no Training Rod for Sturgeon.

Ocean Fish (Winter):

Sardine: If you somehow missed Sardines in Spring or Summer, they are available again in Winter at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM. Still easily caught with a Training Rod.
Tuna: Winter provides another opportunity to catch Tuna if you missed them in Summer. They are at the Beach from 6 AM to 7 PM. Still no Training Rod for Tuna.

Winter provides a final chance to catch any stragglers you might have missed throughout the year, especially Sturgeon and Tuna.

Conclusion: Fish Tank Bundle Mastery

The Fish Tank Bundle in Stardew Valley might seem complex at first glance, but by understanding the fishing locations, seasonal availability, and time-of-day requirements for each fish, it becomes a manageable and rewarding task. Many of the required fish are accessible with the Training Rod, making it friendly for new players to start contributing to the Community Center early on. While some fish require higher fishing skill and better rods, planning your fishing trips around the seasons and weather will ensure you fill that Fish Tank in no time. Happy fishing, and enjoy restoring the Stardew Valley Community Center to its former glory!