Stardew Valley - Fishing Tournaments: Trophy Requirements - A Review

Introduction

Stardew Valley, the beloved farming simulation game by ConcernedApe, offers players a variety of activities beyond tending crops and raising animals. One of the most engaging side activities is fishing, which includes seasonal fishing tournaments. These events provide players with a chance to test their angling skills, earn rewards, and even secure trophies.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the fishing tournaments in Stardew Valley, focusing on the trophy requirements, strategies for success, and whether the effort is worth the reward.

Understanding Fishing Tournaments in Stardew Valley

There are two main fishing tournaments in the game:

Spring Fishing Contest (Spring 13) – Held at the Cindersap Forest pond.
Ice Fishing Contest (Winter 12) – Held at the same location but during winter.

Both events follow a similar structure: players compete against NPCs to catch the highest-quality fish within a time limit. The better your performance, the better your rewards—including trophies.

Trophy Requirements: How to Win

To earn a trophy in either tournament, players must secure first place. This means catching the highest total score based on fish quality (regular, silver, gold, or iridium).

Scoring System

Each fish caught contributes points based on its quality:

Regular: 1 point
Silver: 2 points
Gold: 3 points
Iridium: 4 points

The winner is determined by the highest cumulative score after the event ends.

NPC Competition

The NPCs’ scores are semi-random but typically fall within these ranges:

1st Place (Player’s Goal): Usually requires 5+ points (varies slightly).
2nd Place (Willy): Around 4-5 points.
3rd Place & Below: 3 points or less.

To guarantee victory, players should aim for at least 5 points, preferably more.

Strategies for Winning the Fishing Tournaments

1. Upgrade Your Fishing Rod Early

A Fiberglass Rod (available at Fishing Level 2) allows bait usage, increasing bite rates.
The Iridium Rod (Fishing Level 6) enables tackle, improving catch efficiency.

2. Use Bait & Tackle

Bait speeds up fish biting.
Trap Bobber makes fish escape slower, ideal for difficult catches.

3. Focus on High-Quality Fish

Spring Contest: Aim for Catfish (if raining) or Largemouth Bass—both can yield gold/iridium quality.
Winter Contest: Walleye and Pike are common high-tier catches.

4. Perfect Your Timing

Master the mini-game to consistently land perfect catches (extra points).
Avoid trash items, as they waste time.

5. Check the Weather & Time

Rainy days in spring increase Catfish spawns (high-value fish).
Arrive early (9 AM) to maximize fishing time.

Rewards & Are Trophies Worth It?

First-Place Prizes

Spring Contest:
- Trophy (placed in your house)
- 1,000g
- Furniture (Sailor’s Cap or Decorative Anchor)
Winter Contest:
- Trophy
- 2,000g
- Furniture (Iridium Krobus Statue or Decorative Pearl)

Are Trophies Worth the Effort?

Cosmetic Value: Trophies are purely decorative, adding to home aesthetics.
Achievement Hunters: Required for completionists.
Early-Game Boost: The gold reward is helpful in Year 1.

If you enjoy fishing, the tournaments are a fun challenge. If not, skipping them won’t hinder progress.

Final Verdict

Stardew Valley’s fishing tournaments offer a fun, competitive twist to the game’s relaxing pace. While the trophies themselves are mostly for bragging rights, the events provide early-game gold and unique furniture. With the right preparation, winning is achievable even for novice anglers.

Rating: 8/10 – A rewarding side activity, though not essential for all players.

Tags: #StardewValley #FishingGuide #GamingTips #FishingTournament #TrophyGuide #ConcernedApe #IndieGames