Stardew Valley is supposed to be about farming but often ends up being about anything else. Killing monsters, romancing townsfolk, and, yes, standing by a pond for days upon end catching fish. The go-at-your-own-pace is part of its charms — you can approach Stardew Valley however you’d like.
However, the game does lock certain milestones behind dabbling in a little bit of everything, so even for those with the greenest of thumbs or the bloodiest of swords, there will be a time when tools must be put down and fishing rods picked up in their place. Instead of turnips or slimes, your new target is the common Carp, a fish that’s not the hardest to come by, but you may need a little help, so here’s where and how to catch a Carp in Stardew Valley.
Where to catch Carp in Stardew Valley and its Seasons
The Carp is among the many fish in Stardew Valley you’ll encounter. Carp have both some seasonal and location-specific restrictions for catching it. Thankfully, this fish has more than one window, more bountiful to come by for its many uses.
Carp Fishing Locations and Seasons
- Mountain Lake – Spring, Summer, Fall
- Wilderness Farm – Spring, Summer, Fall
- Secret Woods – All Seasons
- Sewers – All Seasons
- Mutant Bug Lair – All Seasons
The Mountain Lake is where most players will go to catch Carp, as it is accessible from the start of the game, and the fish is fairly common there.
For those a little later in the game, the Secret Woods has the highest spawn rate of Carp in the game, as well as having them spawn during every season. To reach the Secret Woods, players will need to have at least upgraded to a Steel Axe. In the Northwest corner of the Cindersap Forest is a log that can be removed with a Steel Axe, granting access to the Secret Woods.
What quests require Carp, and how many?
Several Help Wanted board quests in the village require Carp for completion, along with a Community Center Bundle.
- Lake Fish Bundle Community Center Bundle
- 1 Carp required
- Townsfolk Help Wanted Quest
- 1 Carp requested during Spring, Summer, or Fall
- Fishing “Help Wanted” Quest
- 1-5 Carp requested during Spring, Summer, or Fall
- Fish Pond Upgrade Quest
- 2 Carp required
