Legendary Fish Guide — How to Catch All 5 in Stardew Valley
Master catching all 5 Legendary Fish in Stardew Valley: exact locations, seasonal weather, minimum fishing levels, trap bobber tactics, and master strategies.
Quick Summary: The 5 Legendary Fish
In Stardew Valley, the 5 Legendary Fish are the ultimate test of your angling skills. Each legendary fish can be caught only once per save file (unless playing the Qi's Extended Family quest in late-game). They feature unique crown badges in the minigame, intense erratic movement patterns, and strict level requirements. Successfully landing all 5 is required to complete the Master Angler achievement and the Stardew Valley Fish Collection.
- The Legend: Mountain Lake, Spring only, rainy weather only, Fishing Level 10 required.
- Crimsonfish: East Beach pier, Summer only, any weather, Fishing Level 5 required.
- Angler: River plank bridge north of JojaMart, Fall only, any weather, Fishing Level 3 required.
- Glacierfish: Cindersap Forest river south tip of Arrowhead Island, Winter only, any weather, Fishing Level 6 required.
- Mutant Carp: The Sewers, all seasons, any weather, no minimum fishing level required.
Required Gear, Tackle and Food Buffs
Attempting to hook a legendary fish without appropriate tackle or food buffs will quickly drain your catch meter. The table below outlines the recommended loadout for hunting these five rare catches:
| Equipment Category | Recommended Item | Mechanical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing Rod | Iridium Rod or Advanced Iridium Rod | Allows equipping both bait and specialized tackle |
| Tackle | Trap Bobber | Causes the catch bar to drop 66% slower when the fish escapes the green bar |
| Alternative Tackle | Cork Bobber | Increases the physical size of the green fishing bar |
| Bait | Deluxe Bait | Increases the green bar size and accelerates bite rates significantly |
| Food Buff | Seafoam Pudding (+4 Fishing) | Expands the catch bar and boosts casting distance for higher fishing zones |
The Trap Bobber is widely considered mandatory for The Legend and Glacierfish because their darting patterns make temporary escapes inevitable.
All 5 Legendary Fish: Locations, Seasons & Levels
Each fish is tied to a specific habitat and calendar season. Here are the exact prerequisites and capture tips for every legendary specimen:
1. The Legend (Spring)
The undisputed king of Stardew Valley waters. The Legend only bites during Spring while it is raining at the Mountain Lake. Stand on the southern shoreline near the sunken log and cast into water zone 5. You must possess Fishing Level 10 (base or boosted by food). Its dart movement type is notoriously erratic, so keep your green bar centered and anticipate sudden rebounds.
2. Crimsonfish (Summer)
Found at the far eastern pier on the Beach, past the wooden bridge requiring 300 wood to repair. Requires Summer weather and a minimum of Fishing Level 5. Cast from the easternmost edge of the pier as far south as possible into deep ocean water.
3. Angler (Fall)
The Angler resides in the river north of the old JojaMart building. Stand on the wooden plank bridge crossing the river and cast directly north into the deep current. It requires Fall and a minimum Fishing Level of 3, making it the most accessible legendary fish for first-year farmers.
4. Glacierfish (Winter)
Located at the southernmost tip of Arrowhead Island in Cindersap Forest. Requires Winter and Fishing Level 6. Cast your line into the deep river water where the river flows into the sea. Its mixed movement behavior rivals The Legend in sheer difficulty.
5. Mutant Carp (All Seasons)
Inhabits the murky waters of The Sewers, unlocked by donating 60 artifacts or minerals to Gunther for the Rusty Key. The Mutant Carp can be caught in any season, in any weather, at any time of day, and carries no minimum level requirement.
Summary of Legendary Fish Prerequisites
The reference table below compares all five fish across seasons, minimum required fishing levels, and base difficulty ratings:
| Fish Name | Season & Weather | Required Level | Difficulty & Behavior | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend | Spring (Rain only) | Level 10 | Difficulty 110 (Mixed) | 5,000g |
| Crimsonfish | Summer (Any weather) | Level 5 | Difficulty 95 (Mixed) | 1,500g |
| Angler | Fall (Any weather) | Level 3 | Difficulty 85 (Smooth) | 900g |
| Glacierfish | Winter (Any weather) | Level 6 | Difficulty 100 (Mixed) | 1,000g |
| Mutant Carp | All Seasons (Any weather) | Level 0 (Any) | Difficulty 80 (Dart) | 1,000g |
Because each fish can be captured only once per game, many players preserve them inside luxury Fish Tanks rather than shipping them for gold.
Related on StardewHub
- Stardew Valley Fishing Guide — Master casting techniques, tackle selection, and zone mechanics.
- Community Center Guide — Complete the Fish Tank bundles efficiently in Year 1.
- Artisan Goods Guide — Turn your farming profits into late-game luxury equipment.