Stardew Valley fish frenzy explained: How it works, locations and spawn rules

Players of beloved cozy game Stardew Valley got even more new content with the 1.6.4 update. Arguably the most exciting change was the introduction of the fishing frenzies fishing event. These events give you the chance to catch large numbers of fish quickly. If you’ve seen a notification announcing a fish frenzy in Stardew Valley, here’s what it means, how the event works and how you can take maximum advantage.

The Escapist recaps

• Fish frenzies are random fishing events that spawn large numbers of the same fish in one location.
• Stardew Valley players will receive a notification telling them which fish species is involved and where the frenzy has appeared.
• They can occur on most days before 11 PM, provided there isn’t a festival happening in town.
• Each frenzy lasts around two in-game hours, giving you a short window to catch lots of the same fish.

What fish frenzy is in Stardew Valley

A fish frenzy in Stardew Valley is a special fishing event that was introduced with the 1.6.4 content update, where a large number of the same type of fish spawn in a specific location. During a frenzy, you’ll see large clusters of bubbles in the water as well as fish jumping out of the water so you’ll know where to fish.

How to get a fish frenzy in Stardew Valley

Fish frenzies are a random event that can occur during the day before 11 PM, as long as there isn’t an active festival taking place in the town. However, they won’t appear immediately if you’ve just started a new save file.

You’re going to have to meet basic gameplay progression requirements before fish frenzies start appearing. In most cases, this means playing several in-game days and catching a few fish before your save file can start triggering a fish frenzy.

Once these conditions are met and an event triggers, players will receive a notification that reads: “A [fish name] frenzy has begun at [location].”

When this notification pops up, you can take your fishing rod to the location in question. You should see an area with lots of bubbles and fish, which is where you can cast your rod to take advantage of the frenzy.

Where fish frenzies can appear

Fish frenzies can appear in most major fishing locations around Stardew Valley. When the event triggers, as we’ve explained above, the game will tell you exactly where it’s happening so you can hot foot it over and take advantage.

Common locations include:

• The beach
• The Mountain Lake (north of Pelican Town)
• Cindersap Forest river
• Pelican Town river

Once you reach the location mentioned in the notification, look for the large area filled with bubbles and jumping fish. By casting your line directly into this spot, you’ll have the best chance of catching the most amount of fish featured in the frenzy.

How long Stardew Valley fish frenzies last

Sadly, fish frenzies do not last all day. Once the event begins, it typically lasts for around two in-game hours before ending automatically. You can read our full guide on how the day length works in Stardew Valley here.

Because of the very limited time window, it’s best to travel to the location mentioned in your fish frenzy notification as quickly as possible. Arriving early will give you the most amount of time to take advantage of the in-game event.

Which fish can have a fish frenzy?

Sadly, Stardew Valley fishing fans aren’t eating that well with these new fish frenzies. Certain rare fish won’t ever be the focus of a fish frenzy, meaning some varieties will remain difficult to catch.

The rarest catches are known as legendary fish, and they won’t appear in frenzies. There are a total of 10 legendary fish in Stardew Valley that are excluded from fish frenzies.

If you’re looking to catch these rare fish, you’ll still need to meet their normal location, season and weather requirements.

All other varieties can be the star of a fish frenzy. When a frenzy begins, you’ll repeatedly catch the same species of fish that triggered the frenzy, making it a great opportunity to collect large quantities of that fish type.

Top tips for taking advantage of fish frenzies

Stardew Valley fish frenzies are one of the best opportunities to catch multiple fish quickly, especially if you’re trying to level up your fishing skill or build ersources.

To get the most out of a frenzy, here are our top tips:

• Cast your line directly into the cluster of bubbles
• Use bait, or tackle, to improve catch speed
• Bring food buffs that increase your fishing level
• Arrive as soon as the notification appears as the event only lasts a short duration

Catching lots of the same species of fish is a good way to gather fish needed for crafting, quests, or cooking recipes.

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