The Ultimate Guide to Eels in Stardew Valley: Locations, Uses, and More!

Tired of staring blankly at the Fish Tank bundle in the Community Center, wondering how to ever catch those slippery eels? These elusive fish are a vital piece of the Stardew Valley puzzle, but catching them can be a real challenge. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many farmers struggle with finding and reeling in these nighttime rain-dwellers. This guide will provide a comprehensive look at eels in Stardew Valley, covering where to find them, when to catch them, their uses, and helpful tips for successful eel fishing, transforming you from a frustrated fisherman into an eel-catching expert!

Where to Find Those Slippery Eels

The first step in your eel-catching journey is understanding where they like to hang out. Eels in Stardew Valley can be found in two primary locations: the Ocean and the River. Knowing the specific spots to cast your line dramatically increases your chances of success.

The Ocean, located south of your farm, is a vast body of water teeming with various marine life. While many different fish call the ocean home, eels also inhabit this area, making it a viable place to cast your line. The River, that winds through Pelican Town and past your farm, also contains eels.

While both locations are viable, the specific time of year and weather play a crucial role, which we’ll discuss next.

When to Cast Your Line: Timing is Everything

Finding the right location is only half the battle. You also need to know when to fish for eels. Unlike many other fish in Stardew Valley that can be caught throughout the day, eels are exclusively nocturnal creatures, preferring the cover of darkness and the refreshment of a good rain.

Specifically, eels can be found during the Spring and Fall seasons. During the summer or winter, it’s impossible to catch them, even if it is raining or night time.

Even more importantly, they only appear between four PM and two AM. Attempting to fish for them earlier in the day will be fruitless.

Now for the last criteria: the weather. Eels are only caught during the rain. This is a non-negotiable condition. Sunshine and eels simply don’t mix in Stardew Valley. This is definitely the biggest trick to catching them, because the game only has a handful of rainy nights in the spring and fall.

To summarise, you can only catch eels during the Spring or Fall, between four PM and two AM, while it is raining in either the River or Ocean.

How to Become an Eel-Catching Master

Knowing where and when to fish is essential, but mastering the art of catching eels requires honing your fishing skills and employing the right techniques. Here are some tips to help you become a proficient eel angler:

Your fishing skill plays a significant role in your success rate. As your fishing skill increases, the size of your fishing bar in the mini-game grows, making it easier to keep the fish within the bar’s boundaries. Leveling up your fishing skill is therefore crucial for catching more difficult fish like eels. Practice regularly, use training rods early on, and consider consuming food items that temporarily boost your fishing skill (more on that later).

Choosing the best fishing spots can also improve your chances. Within the Ocean, look for areas near the pier or the rock outcroppings. In the River, try fishing near the bridge or in deeper sections of the water. Experiment with different locations to find where the eels are most active. Keep an eye out for bubbling spots in the water. These indicate areas with higher fish activity, and while they don’t guarantee an eel, they increase your overall catch rate.

Employing the right tackle is also critical. The Cork Bobber is an excellent choice, as it increases the size of your fishing bar, making it easier to reel in slippery fish like the eel. Consider using the Trap Bobber, which makes fish escape slower, or the Barbed Hook, which makes the fishing bar “stick” to the fish. Experiment and use whatever works best for your fishing style.

Bait is, of course, also required. It doesn’t really matter what bait you use, as the eel will always bite it.

Finally, perfect your fishing technique. The fishing mini-game can be challenging, especially when dealing with fish that have erratic movements like eels. Pay close attention to the fish’s behavior and anticipate its movements. Use short, controlled taps to keep the fish within the fishing bar, and avoid holding down the mouse button for too long, as this can cause the bar to bounce around uncontrollably. Patience and practice are key to mastering the fishing mini-game.

Putting Eels to Good Use: More Than Just Fish

Once you’ve managed to catch a few eels, you might be wondering what to do with them. Eels have several valuable uses in Stardew Valley, ranging from cooking to completing important quests.

Eels can be used in cooking. Three dishes can be made using eels:

• Sashimi: A simple dish that requires one fish of any kind. Eels can be used, and the recipe is learned from Linus at three hearts. It restores 75 energy and 33 health.
• Maki Roll: One of the essential recipes to get the ‘Gourmand’ achievement, which requires you to cook every recipe. It can be made using seaweed, rice, and one fish of any kind, and the recipe is earned from the Queen of Sauce on Summer 21 of year one. It restores 100 energy and 45 health.
• Fried Eel: This dish requires an eel and oil, and is learned from the Queen of Sauce on Spring 21 of year two. It restores 80 energy and 36 health, while also giving a +1 to fishing, which could help you catch more eels.

The most important use for eels is to complete the Fish Tank Bundle in the Community Center. This bundle requires you to donate several different kinds of fish that all come from the ocean, and the eel is one of them. Completing this bundle unlocks the bridge to the quarry, a very important mining area in the game.

When it comes to gifting eels, it’s crucial to know who appreciates (or dislikes) them. Here’s a quick guide:

• Love: No one loves Eels.
• Like: Demetrius, Elliott, Leo, Willy.
• Neutral: Most villagers not listed elsewhere.
• Dislike: Abigail, Jas, Pierre, and Vincent.
• Hate: Haley and Evelyn.

Gifting strategically is essential for building relationships with the villagers.

Selling eels is also a viable option, especially if you have a surplus. The base selling price of an eel is 85 gold. If you’ve chosen the Angler profession at fishing level five, the selling price increases by 25%, making them even more profitable.

Eels are also used in crafting Quality Fertilizer. Quality fertilizer improves the chance of growing a higher quality crop. It is unlocked at farming level nine and requires two fish, which could be an eel.

There are no quests in the game that require eels specifically.

Eel Trivia and Fun Facts: Delving Deeper

Beyond their practical uses, there are a few interesting facts about eels in Stardew Valley that you might find intriguing. For example, did you know that the Stardew Valley eel is likely based on the real-world European eel, which is known for its nocturnal habits and preference for rainy weather?

While the game doesn’t explicitly state this, it’s a plausible connection given the game’s attention to detail. Another interesting point is that the difficulty in catching eels mirrors the real-world challenge of fishing for them. Eels are known for being slippery and difficult to handle, which is reflected in the fishing mini-game.

Advanced Tips and Tricks for the Aspiring Eel Tycoon

Ready to take your eel-catching game to the next level? Here are some advanced tips and tricks to help you maximize your success:

Consuming food items that boost your fishing skill can significantly improve your chances of catching eels. Dishes like Seafoam Pudding (+4 fishing), Lobster Bisque (+3 fishing), and Fish Taco (+2 fishing) provide temporary buffs that make the fishing mini-game easier. Consider using these buffs during rainy Spring or Fall nights to increase your eel-catching efficiency.

Your daily luck also plays a role in finding rare fish like eels. Check the Fortune Teller on the television each morning to get an indication of your luck for the day. Days with high luck are more likely to yield rare catches.

Unfortunately, Eel farming is impossible in Stardew Valley. Eels cannot be placed in fish ponds.

Finally, think about maximizing profits by choosing the fishing professions that increase the value of fish. As mentioned earlier, the Angler profession at fishing level five increases the selling price of fish by 25%. The Mariner profession at fishing level ten further boosts your profits by eliminating trash from your fishing catches, leaving you with more valuable fish.

Conclusion: Embrace the Eel Challenge!

Eels in Stardew Valley can be a bit of a challenge to catch, but with the right knowledge, techniques, and a bit of patience, you’ll be reeling them in like a seasoned pro. Remember to fish in the Ocean or River during the Spring and Fall, between four PM and two AM, while it’s raining. Utilize the right tackle, boost your fishing skill with food, and maximize your profits by choosing the right professions. Whether you need them for cooking, completing the Community Center, or simply making a few extra coins, eels are an essential part of the Stardew Valley experience.

So grab your fishing rod, head out into the rainy night, and embrace the challenge. With this guide as your companion, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an eel-catching expert in Stardew Valley!