Stardew Valley is a popular farming simulation game that combines elements of role-playing and life simulation. Within this pixelated world, players engage in various activities like farming, mining, fishing, and building relationships with other characters. Among the many fish that players can catch, the sturgeon stands out for its unique characteristics and significant role in various game mechanics.
This article delves into the specifics of the sturgeon in Stardew Valley, exploring where and how to catch it, its uses in the game, and tips for maximizing its potential.
Introduction to Fishing in Stardew Valley
Fishing is one of the core activities in Stardew Valley, offering players a relaxing yet challenging experience. It’s not just a matter of casting a line and waiting for a bite; players must also develop their fishing skills, upgrade their equipment, and learn the specific behaviors of different fish species. The sturgeon is one of the more challenging fish to catch, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.
Importance of Fishing
Fishing in Stardew Valley serves several purposes:
- Income Source: Fish can be sold for gold, making fishing a viable way to earn money, especially during the early game.
- Community Center Bundles: Many fish are required to complete bundles in the Community Center, which are essential for restoring the town of Pelican Town.
- Cooking and Crafting: Fish are used in various recipes and crafting items, making them valuable resources.
- Gifting: Some villagers appreciate receiving fish as gifts, which can help build relationships.
The sturgeon, in particular, plays a crucial role in some of these aspects, making it a sought-after catch for both new and experienced players.
The Sturgeon: An Overview
The sturgeon is a large, ancient fish known for its longevity and the valuable roe it produces. In Stardew Valley, it’s one of the more difficult fish to catch due to its erratic movement patterns, but it’s well worth the effort.
Characteristics of the Sturgeon
- Season: The sturgeon can only be caught during the summer and winter seasons.
- Location: It is found exclusively in the Mountain Lake, located just north of Pelican Town and adjacent to the Mines.
- Time of Day: The sturgeon is available from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, giving players a good window of time to attempt a catch.
- Weather: The sturgeon can be caught regardless of the weather conditions, making it a consistent target during its active seasons.
Difficulty and Behavior
Catching a sturgeon is not an easy task. It has a high difficulty rating of 78, meaning it’s more challenging to reel in compared to many other fish. The sturgeon’s movement pattern is somewhat erratic, with sudden bursts of speed followed by periods of calm. This unpredictability requires players to have a good grasp of the fishing minigame’s mechanics, as well as some patience.
Size and Value
- Size: The sturgeon can range in size from 12 to 61 inches, with larger specimens being rarer.
- Value: The base sell price for a sturgeon ranges from 200 to 300 gold, depending on its quality (normal, silver, or gold star). With the Fisher profession, which increases the sell price of fish by 25%, a sturgeon can sell for 250 to 375 gold. The Angler profession, which further increases fish sell prices by 50%, can raise the price to 300 to 450 gold.
Uses of Sturgeon in Stardew Valley
The sturgeon’s value in Stardew Valley extends far beyond just selling it for gold. It has several key uses that can significantly impact a player’s progress in the game.
Community Center Bundles
One of the most important uses for the sturgeon is in the Community Center. It is required for the Lake Fish Bundle in the Fish Tank, one of the six main sections of the Community Center. Completing this bundle is essential for restoring the Fish Tank, which, in turn, unlocks the Glittering Boulder removal. This event grants players access to panning for ores and other resources in the rivers around Pelican Town.
Fish Pond and Sturgeon Roe
Perhaps the most lucrative use for the sturgeon is in a Fish Pond. Players can place sturgeon in a Fish Pond, where they will produce sturgeon roe. The roe can be aged in a Preserves Jar to produce Aged Roe, which is a valuable artisan good.
- Fish Pond Mechanics: The Fish Pond is a building that can be constructed on your farm by Robin, the town’s carpenter. After placing a sturgeon in the pond, it will start producing roe every few days. The number of fish in the pond increases over time as you complete various quests they give you, which typically involve providing specific items.
- Aged Roe: To maximize the value of sturgeon roe, players can place it in a Preserves Jar to age it. Aged Roe sells for significantly more than regular roe, making it a profitable venture for players who invest in Fish Ponds.
Crafting and Recipes
Although sturgeon cannot be used directly in any specific cooking recipes, its roe plays a crucial role in producing high-value Aged Roe. This makes it indirectly valuable for crafting purposes, especially for players focusing on artisan goods production.
Gifting
While the sturgeon is not a universally loved gift, some villagers may appreciate it. However, it’s generally more valuable to use it for other purposes rather than gifting it, as there are more cost-effective items for building relationships with villagers.
Tips for Catching Sturgeon
Given the sturgeon’s difficulty, here are some tips to increase your chances of successfully catching one:
Upgrade Your Fishing Rod
Investing in a better fishing rod can make a significant difference in your ability to catch challenging fish like the sturgeon. The Fiberglass Rod, which allows the use of bait, and the Iridium Rod, which allows both bait and tackle, are essential upgrades. The Iridium Rod, in particular, is highly recommended because it allows players to use tackle that can make the minigame easier.
Use Tackle
Certain types of tackle can be extremely helpful when trying to catch a sturgeon:
- Trap Bobber: This tackle causes the fish’s progress bar to decrease slower when they aren’t being reeled in, which is especially useful for erratic fish like the sturgeon.
- Cork Bobber: This tackle slightly increases the size of your fishing bar, making it easier to keep the sturgeon within the catch zone.
Time and Weather Management
Since sturgeon can only be caught in the summer and winter, make sure to focus your fishing efforts during these seasons. The weather doesn’t affect the sturgeon’s availability, so you can fish for it regardless of whether it’s sunny, raining, or snowing.
Boost Your Fishing Level
Increasing your fishing level not only makes the minigame easier by increasing the size of your fishing bar but also unlocks new crafting recipes and reduces the difficulty of catching fish. You can increase your fishing level by catching fish, completing fishing-related quests, and eating food that temporarily boosts your fishing skill.
Choose the Right Time and Spot
Fishing in the Mountain Lake between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM gives you the best chance to catch a sturgeon. Position yourself on the south shore of the lake, where deeper water increases the chances of encountering higher quality fish.
Use Bait
Bait is crucial for increasing the bite rate of fish, which in turn increases your chances of encountering a sturgeon. Use bait on your Fiberglass or Iridium Rod to attract fish more quickly, reducing the time you spend waiting.
Maximizing the Value of Sturgeon
Beyond simply catching sturgeon, players can maximize the value they get from this fish through various strategies.
Fish Ponds and Aged Roe
As mentioned earlier, placing sturgeon in a Fish Pond is one of the best ways to generate consistent income. Over time, the pond will produce more roe, which can be turned into Aged Roe in a Preserves Jar. This product sells for a high price, especially if you have invested in the Artisan profession, which increases the sell price of artisan goods by 40%.
- Fish Pond Population: To increase the number of sturgeon in your Fish Pond, you’ll need to complete the quests they provide. These quests typically require specific items like Frozen Geodes, Diamonds, or Nautilus Shells. Completing these quests allows the population of sturgeon in the pond to increase, leading to more roe production.
- Selling Aged Roe: Aged Roe from sturgeon sells for 280 gold at base price. With the Artisan profession, this increases to 392 gold, making it one of the most profitable products in the game.
Crafting Preserves Jars
To fully capitalize on sturgeon roe, it’s a good idea to craft multiple Preserves Jars. This allows you to process roe in large quantities, maximizing your income potential. The recipe for a Preserves Jar is unlocked at Farming Level 4 and requires 50 wood, 40 stone, and 8 coal.
Completing the Fish Tank Bundle
Don’t forget to donate a sturgeon to the Fish Tank bundle in the Community Center. Completing this bundle is crucial for unlocking the Glittering Boulder removal, which provides access to panning for additional resources. The other fish required for the Lake Fish Bundle are Largemouth Bass, Carp, and Bullhead, all of which can be caught in the Mountain Lake.
Strategic Selling
If you’re not ready to invest in a Fish Pond or Preserves Jar, consider holding onto sturgeon until you’ve unlocked the Fisher or Angler professions, which increase the sell price of fish. Selling sturgeon at these higher prices can provide a significant boost to your income.
Conclusion
The sturgeon is a challenging but rewarding fish to catch in Stardew Valley. Whether you’re looking to complete the Community Center bundles, generate income through Fish Ponds, or simply add another rare fish to your collection, mastering the art of catching and utilizing sturgeon is well worth the effort.
By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can maximize the potential of sturgeon in your Stardew Valley gameplay, ensuring that this ancient fish becomes a valuable asset in your farming journey. So grab your fishing rod, head to the Mountain Lake, and start reeling in those sturgeon—your farm’s prosperity awaits!
