Stardew Valley is a fully fleshed-out game with loads of ways to spend your time. If you want, you can spend your days down by the water fishing all the way into the night. Fishing is a popular activity in this game, especially when it comes to seeking out rare catches. And one fish that keen anglers are going to want to seek out is the Shad.
This is one of many types of fish in Stardew Valley, and it can be a bit tricky to catch if you aren’t looking in the right places. Still, there’s good reason to try. Fishing is a very practical way to make some extra money, and improving your fishing skills allows you to unlock helpful tools. So with that in mind, this guide will explain where to catch Shad and details about the many ways in which it can be used.
Shad Fishing Locations in Stardew Valley
Shad is a small fish that can only be caught in freshwater sources. Although the real-world version has been known to swim in the sea, in Stardew Valley, it’s only found in bodies of water like rivers, lakes, and ponds. Such fishing spots include the lake in Cindersap Forest to the south, or the river that cuts through Pelican Town, which connects the Mines area to the sea.
Shad can be caught in any season except Winter, but not at any time. Specifically, it will only appear when it’s raining. When drops start falling, head to your favorite fishing spot and cast in a line. They’re not the rarest catch in the game, but it still might take a few tries to snag one.
Of course, that’s not the only method you have at your disposal. You can bypass the rain requirement by fishing with Magic Bait. As the name implies, this bait bends the rules and allows you to catch fish any time, without regard to weather, season, or time restraints. Or, if you need it in a pinch, it’s also possible to buy one at the Traveling Cart or in Krobus’ Shop in the Sewers.
Shad Recipes and Crafting Uses
When it comes to crafting, Shad isn’t specific to any one recipe. You can use it as the standard Fish ingredient to make Maki Rolls, Sashimi, or Quality Fertilizer. Given its typically low sale value, you’re probably better off using it to craft other items.
If you place Shad in the Fish Pond, they will start reproducing. That natural process will yield Roe, an artisan-level product and food source.
Finally, if you put Shad into your Sewing Machine, you can make the Fish Shirt, which is a shirt with a fish on it. Not a bad look for anglers in the Valley. When it comes to clothing color, this fish can be used to provide green dye.
Do Villagers Like Being Gifted Shad?
Unfortunately, this fish is not very popular among the villagers. In fact, a majority of them Dislike it — in some cases, giving it as a gift will actually hurt your relationship with them. Specifically, you should be warned that Evelyn, Hayley, and Pierre all really hate this fish.
In other words, this isn’t something you want to start gifting to your friends. You’re much better off keeping it for yourself and crafting it into something useful for your Farm or into an item that’s a more appealing gift. Consider making some simple food recipes to help you reach deeper levels of the Mines.