Top 8 Most Profitable Fish to Catch in Stardew Valley Ponds

In the expansive world of Stardew Valley, the 1.4 update introduced a myriad of new features, including Fish Ponds. While often overshadowed by other money-making ventures, these ponds represent an interesting and lucrative form of passive income.

Once populated with fish, these ponds yield an abundant supply of roe that can significantly bolster your earnings with minimal ongoing effort. Simply check in on them periodically, and you’ll have a reliable source of income to complement your primary endeavors.

This guide ranks fish based solely on their daily profitability when their ponds are fully stocked. Additionally, I’ll address the difficulty of acquiring certain fish and whether their maintenance is truly worthwhile.

As a general rule, the more challenging and costly a fish is to catch, the higher the value of its roe. Therefore, for those looking to manage their sanity, it may be prudent to consider some of the less challenging options available.

Understanding the Methodology

The calculations for the average daily profit of each fish type are multi-faceted and merit explanation. I utilized data from the Stardew Valley Wiki to establish the base prices and associated probabilities for additional items from the ponds.

Assuming the pond is stocked with ten fish and operates on a 95% item chance, I calculate the expected value of additional items produced by multiplying the likelihood of each item by its selling price and averaging these figures across the total items generated.

Exceptions apply to Legendary Fish, which can only inhabit a pond in singular quantities, triggering a mere 23% chance of yielding additional items. This often results in lower-than-anticipated profitability from such fish. Note that the produce from Legendary Fish is equivalent to their counterparts.

The estimations I provide are rounded up, meaning they likely exceed what you’d realistically earn considering aging and crafting intricacies, but they give a sound insight into daily income expectations.

8 Lionfish

Lionfish Profitability

Fish Location	The Ocean, South or Southwest side of Ginger Island
Base Fish Price	100g
Average Daily Income	225g
Items Produced	1 Roe (71% chance) 2-5 Taro Tubers (27% chance) 1 Tiger Slime Egg (2% chance)

Unexpectedly, the Lionfish secures a spot in the top eight thanks to its potential to produce a rare Tiger Slime Egg, which commands 8000g. Even at a low 2% chance for that egg, it adds an average of 160g daily to the total profit.

Besides this, the Lionfish also generates Roe and Taro Tubers, allowing for further opportunities, including aging the Roe or planting Taro Tubers for additional revenue. Overall, while the average daily income of 225g can be maintained with minimal effort, maximizing the pond can significantly enhance this figure.

7 Crimsonfish

Crimsonfish Benefits

Fish Location	East Dock at the Beach during Summer
Base Fish Price	1500g
Average Daily Income	269g
Items Produced	1-2 Roe

A pattern emerges among the Legendary Fish as most appear on this list despite offering lower daily yields than expected. In a pond, each Legendary Fish yields a consistent 23% production chance, resulting in an average income of 269g through the valuable 780g Crimsonfish Roe.

While the passive income is appealing, the potential for less daily reliability makes this fish less favorable for those seeking stable revenue. Fish that provide bonus items or a more reliable yield are advised for players wanting to optimize their pond investments.

6 Angler

Angler Potential

Fish Location	North River of JojaMart, during Fall
Base Fish Price	900g
Average Daily Income	276g
Items Produced	1-4 Roe

Another Legendary catch, the Angler offers a modest income of 276g per day due to its higher yield of Roe (1-4) compared to the Crimsonfish. Although it does share the same 23% production chance, it is arguably among the more accessible Legendary Fish to catch.

This fish can still generate decent passive income once placed in a pond, with no extra work required after the initial catch. The convenience of only needing to catch the fish once, coupled with reasonable daily returns, makes it a worthwhile option for early-game players.

5 Sea Urchin

Sea Urchin Value

Fish Location	Foraged on the Beach
Base Fish Price	160g
Average Daily Income	295g
Items Produced	1-5 Roe (53% chance)

Interestingly, the Sea Urchin emerges as a surprisingly advantageous option for fish ponds. Its Roe production ranges from one to five units on average, with each selling for 110g, and it has a notable 53% chance of occurrence.

Typically, forageable items yield disappointing returns, yet this particular fish stands out as one of the few exceptions with reliable income potential. Its easy accessibility makes it a convenient option for players looking to build a steady income stream.

4 Mutant Carp/Glacierfish

Pick Between Mutants

Mutant Carp and Glacierfish Ponds in Stardew Valley

Fish Location	The Sewers/Cindersap Forest in Winter
Base Fish Price	1000g
Average Daily Income	305g
Items Produced	1-4 / Roe

The Mutant Carp and Glacierfish tie in profitability, each generating 305g per day on average due to identical production rates. They share a base price of 1000g and a 23% chance for item production, providing 1-4 units of Roe.

For players with access to the sewer key, seeking the Mutant Carp is fairly straightforward. However, the Glacierfish requires fishing during the winter in specific locations, making it a bit trickier to catch initially.

3 Blobfish

Blobfish Profits

Fish Location	Night Market Submarine
Base Fish Price	500g
Average Daily Income	409g
Items Produced	1-2 Roe (96% chance) 1 (2% chance) 5 (2% chance)

The Blobfish stands out with its impressive average income of 409g, ranking third among fish ponds. It’s unique in that it can only be found in the Night Market Submarine, which helps to increase your odds of successfully catching one.

This fish offers substantial profit potential without the challenges associated with Legendary Fish. With a 95% chance to yield lucrative Roe, along with the possibility of earning free Warp Totems and Pearls, Blobfish ponds present a high-profit, low-effort opportunity for players.

2 The Legend

The Legendary Fish

Fish Location	The Mountains, during spring rain
Base Fish Price	5000g
Average Daily Income	582g
Items Produced	1 Roe

Notoriously, The Legend is considered one of the most challenging fish in the game to catch. Available only during rain in Spring and requiring level 10 Fishing skills, it can be difficult to obtain within the first year.

Once caught, however, it produces Legend Roe, which garners 2530g. The income averages around 582g daily, based on a limited 23% production chance. This is still a worthwhile investment for those focused on maximizing income through fish ponds.

While it requires a significant investment of time and effort for a modest return, players looking to capitalize on Legendary Fish should focus on The Legend and its counterpart, which yields similar profits.

1 Stage Front

Lava Eel Benefits

Fish Location	Floor 100 of the Mines
Base Fish Price	700g
Average Daily Income	590g
Items Produced	1-3 Roe (82% chance) 1-5 (8% chance) 1-3 (4% chance)

The Lava Eel claims the top position among fish due to its lucrative sale price and potential profits. Each Roe sells at 380g, and with the possibility of obtaining up to three at once, it racks up an impressive daily earnings potential of 590g.

Additionally, this fish produces highly valuable items such as Gold Ore, Cave Jelly, and Magma Geodes, further enhancing its profitability. While catching a Lava Eel can be a frustrating endeavor, the rewards justify the effort.

In summary, while players will need to invest the time to catch ten of these fish for optimal returns, they provide a strong opportunity for long-term profitability, especially when combined with additional processing options.

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