The spook fish is one of the most elusive fish in Stardew Valley. This ghostly fish lives in the submarine waters of the Secret Woods pond. If you’re looking to complete your fish collection or cook some haunted fish dishes, read on to learn all about catching spook fish in Stardew Valley.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The spook fish is a rare night fish found in the Secret Woods pond between 9pm and 2am when it’s raining. It can be caught with bait and a higher fishing skill level makes it easier to hook.
The spook fish is used in cooking recipes and for completing the fish collection.
When and Where to Catch Spook Fish
Late Night Hours in the Rain
The elusive Spook Fish in Stardew Valley is known to appear late at night when it’s raining. Experienced anglers report that the prime time to hook this ghostly fish is between 10pm to 2am on rainy spring and fall nights.
The Spook Fish seems to be attracted to the sound of raindrops rippling the water under the moonlight. Statistically speaking, your chances of reeling in a Spook Fish improve dramatically between the witching hours of midnight and 2am during torrential downpours (not light spring showers).
Armed with the right bait and tackle, you simply cast your line into the designated Spook Fish waters then play the waiting game.
Secret Woods Pond Location
The hot fishing spot for landing Spook Fish is undoubtedly the mysterious pond tucked away in Stardew Valley’s Secret Woods biome. This foggy pond fringed by dense foliage and shadowy willow trees offers ideal Spook Fish terrain.
To access the Secret Woods, you’ll need to upgrade your axe at least once then chop down the large log barricading the woods’ entrance on the south-east edge of Cindersap Forest. Navigating through the maze of bushes and trees will eventually lead you to the forest pond teeming with catfish, carp…and Spook Fish on wet nights.
Cast your line into that pond between 10pm-2am while rain patters on the leaves for a prized Spook Fish catch.
How to Catch Spook Fish
Use Bait for Better Chances
Using bait while fishing for Spook Fish can significantly increase your chances of getting a bite. The best baits for Spook Fish are Wild Bait and Magic Bait. These can attract fish from further away and entice them to bite your line more often.
You’ll likely go through a lot of bait trying to catch these rare fish, so stock up beforehand.
Some key tips when using bait for Spook Fish:
- Equip your best fishing pole to maximize the distance of your cast
- Cast your line as far from shore as possible where Spook Fish are more likely to spawn
- Apply Wild or Magic bait to your hook each time before casting
- Re-apply new bait every few casts before your current bait expires
Be prepared with around 50-100 bait when going on Spook Fish hunting expeditions. This allows you to maximize your chances by keeping fresh bait on for dozens of casts until you finally get a prized catch.
Higher Fishing Level Recommended
Having a high fishing skill level makes catching the challenging Spook Fish much more feasible. At level 6 fishing or lower, the chances of hooking Spook Fish are extremely low.
As you level up fishing through practice and quests, the fishing bar gets wider, allowing you to keep fish on the line for longer. With Spook Fish being difficult fish that jiggle the bar frequently, higher fishing levels help counteract this.
| Fishing Level | Spook Fish Catch Chance |
| 1-6 | 1% |
| 7-8 | 4% |
| 9-10 | 10% |
Some recommendations for gaining fishing skill levels quickly:
- Catch lots of basic fish like sardines to build XP
- Complete fishing quests from Willy’s board
- Use fishing skill boosting foods like Dish O’ The Sea
- Equip tackle like trap bobbers to make fishing easier
At Fishing Level 10, your chances per cast rise to a solid 10% for Spook Fish. This makes spending time to grind fishing levels well worth it before attempting to catch this lucrative deep sea species.
For more details on leveling fishing quickly, check out Stardew Valley’s Fishing Skill Guide.
Spook Fish Uses
Cooking Recipes
The spook fish is a rare and unique ingredient in Stardew Valley that can be used in a variety of cooking recipes. Here are some of the top ways to cook with spook fish:
- Spook Fish Stew – This hearty stew combines spook fish with common vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots for a filling meal. The spook fish adds an intriguing ghostly flavor.
- Spook Fish Tacos – For a tasty taco night, bake or fry the spook fish and serve in warm tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado, and a tangy crema sauce.
- Spook Fish Fritters – These crispy fritters are made by dipping spook fish fillets into a lightly spiced cornmeal batter before frying. Serve garnished with chives.
- Miso Spook Fish – Marinate spook fish fillets in a sweet and savory miso sauce. Bake or grill until caramelized and tender. Serve over rice.
- Spook Fish Ceviche – “Cook” the spook fish in citrus juice to make a refreshing ceviche. Toss with diced tomato, onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and avocado.
The unique translucence and ghostly flavor of the spook fish lends itself well to inherently spooky recipes. However, it can also be prepared using normal cooking techniques and ingredient pairings. Get creative with this rare fish!
Fish Collection
The spook fish is one of the most challenging fish to catch in Stardew Valley. Here are some tips for adding this rare fish to your collection:
- Fish at night (7pm-2am) in the Secret Woods pond during Fall. This is the only time and location the spook fish appears.
- Use bait or tackle like the trap bobber to improve your chances of hooking it.
- Equip a fishing rod with high fishing level and use fishing buffs from foods like Dish O’ The Sea.
- Keep fishing, even after catching one! The spook fish is needed for completing the Fish Tank bundle.
Once caught, the spook fish can be donated to the Fish Tank in the Community Center or placed in a fish pond on your farm. Some enthusiasts enjoy collecting multiple spook fish to decorate their homes with during spooky season.
With patience and the right strategy, you’ll be able to add this ghostly fish to your collection!
Conclusion
The spook fish is one of the most challenging fish to catch in Stardew Valley. With its limited hours and tricky pond location, it takes patience and skill to hook this ghostly fish. Use rainy nights and the right fishing boosts to get your best shot at this rare catch.
Once acquired, the spook fish unlocks new recipes and completes the fish collection, making it a worthy catch for any experienced angler.
