Sturgeon is one of the more sought-after fish in Stardew Valley due to its rarity and utility in producing Caviar, a valuable artisan good.
Despite not being a legendary fish, Sturgeons are among the more challenging catches in the game. This article will guide you through where, when, and how to catch this elusive fish and explain its various uses and benefits.
Where to Find the Sturgeon
The Sturgeon can primarily be caught in the Mountain Lake, a high-altitude body of water located north of Pelican Town, near the Carpenter’s Shop and Linus’ tent. This fish is available only during specific seasons and times:
Seasons: Summer and Winter
Time: 6 AM to 7 PM
Weather: Any, though it’s more commonly found on rainy summer days.
Players aiming to maximize their chances should fish as far away from the shore as possible to increase the likelihood of encountering this fish.
Additionally, if it’s not the right season, Magic Bait can be used to catch a Sturgeon any time of year, regardless of season or weather, though this is a more advanced and costly option.
Preparing to Catch a Sturgeon
Catching a Sturgeon requires a bit of preparation, as it has a difficulty rating of 78, making it a moderately tough fish to reel in. Here’s how to improve your chances:
Rod and Tackle: Use an Iridium Rod with bait and a Trap Bobber tackle. This reduces the chance of the fish escaping due to its erratic movements.
Fishing Buffs: Consuming food that boosts your fishing skill, like Seafoam Pudding or Lobster Bisque, increases your chances by making the fishing minigame easier. These foods extend the green bar, making it easier to keep the fish in range.
Fishing Skill: The higher your fishing skill, the better control you will have. Fishing skill increases the size of the green bar during the minigame, helping to balance out the Sturgeon’s fast movements.
Alternate Methods of Obtaining Sturgeon
If you’re struggling to catch the Sturgeon or it’s off-season, there are alternate ways to get one:
Krobus’ Shop: Purchase a Sturgeon from Krobus for 200g on Wednesdays.
Traveling Cart: Occasionally, the Traveling Cart offers the Sturgeon for 600-1,000g, depending on its quality.
Uses of Sturgeon
One of the key reasons players seek out the Sturgeon is to place it in a Fish Pond. In the Fish Pond, Sturgeons produce Roe, which can then be processed into Caviar. Caviar is an artisan good that sells for a hefty profit, making it one of the best ways to make money off of Sturgeon.
Other notable uses for Sturgeon include:
Community Center Bundle: It’s required for the Lake Fish Bundle in the Community Center’s Fish Tank. Completing this bundle rewards the player with a Dressed Spinner tackle, which reduces the time it takes for fish to bite.
Crafting Recipes: The Sturgeon can be used to make dishes like Maki Roll and Sashimi. However, Sashimi is not the best option as it devalues the fish significantly.
Villager Gifts: Only one villager, Willy, loves receiving a Sturgeon as a gift. Other villagers like Linus and Sebastian are neutral to it, while most others dislike it.
Selling and Profits
The Sturgeon is valuable as a raw fish, though the best profits come from processing it into Caviar. The base selling price of a Sturgeon depends on its quality:
Normal Quality: 200g
Silver Quality: 250g
Gold Quality: 300g
Iridium Quality: 400g
With the Fisher Profession, these values increase by 25%, while the Angler Profession raises the price by 50%. Even though it’s profitable to sell the Sturgeon directly, the Caviar it produces in a Fish Pond is worth much more over time
FAQs
Q: What is Stardew Valley about?
A: Stardew Valley is a popular farming simulation game where players take on the role of a character who inherits a rundown farm from their grandfather. Players cultivate crops, raise animals, fish, mine, and interact with the villagers of Pelican Town. The game focuses on building a self-sustaining farm while developing relationships with the townsfolk, solving community problems, and exploring various seasonal activities.
Q: How do I catch a sturgeon in Stardew Valley?
A: The sturgeon is a rare fish found in Stardew Valley. You can catch it during the summer and winter in the mountain lake, located near the entrance to the mines. The best time to catch it is between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., and it can be easier to hook one if you increase your fishing skill or use tackle like a Trap Bobber.
Q: What are some tips for beginners in Stardew Valley?
A: Beginners should focus on growing profitable crops like parsnips and strawberries, upgrading their tools, and learning the basics of fishing, mining, and foraging. Early-game strategies include using energy wisely, upgrading tools like the watering can, and planting crops that yield multiple harvests.
Q: What are the best crops to plant in each season?
A: Each season in Stardew Valley offers different crops:
Spring: Strawberries and Cauliflower are highly profitable.
Summer: Blueberries and Starfruit generate good revenue.
Fall: Cranberries and Pumpkins are popular for their profitability. Selecting the right crops and planting them early in each season ensures you maximize profits before the season ends.
Q: How do you upgrade your tools in Stardew Valley?
A: You can upgrade tools like the axe, pickaxe, and watering can by visiting the Blacksmith, Clint, in Pelican Town. You’ll need to bring him the tool, along with the required number of metal bars (e.g., copper, iron, or gold) and a fee in gold. The upgrade process takes two in-game days, during which the tool will be unavailable.
Q: What is the Community Center, and how do I restore it?
A: The Community Center is a large, abandoned building in Pelican Town. To restore it, you need to complete bundles of various items (like crops, fish, and artisan goods). Completing bundles unlocks rewards, upgrades to your farm, and revitalizes the town. Alternatively, players can choose to support JojaMart, which offers a faster, albeit more commercialized, route to town upgrades.
Q: What animals can you raise on your farm?
A: You can raise several animals on your farm, including chickens, cows, ducks, goats, pigs, and sheep. Each animal produces valuable goods (e.g., milk, eggs, wool) that can be sold or used to craft artisanal items. Caring for animals by feeding them and keeping them happy results in higher-quality products.
Conclusion
Sturgeon in Stardew Valley is a valuable catch, not only because it’s required for community center bundles but also because of its potential to generate significant profit through Fish Ponds and Caviar production.
With some preparation, including the right fishing rod, tackle, and skill buffs, you can catch this rare fish in the Mountain Lake during the summer and winter seasons. Once you have it, you’ll find that it pays off both in game completion and gold earned.
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