Summary
- A Fish Smoker in Stardew Valley doubles a fish’s value, useful for maximizing profits.
- Combining Fish Smoker with specific professions can multiply the base value of smoked fish by 4.2.
- Certain high-value fish, like Lava Eel and Ice Pip, are worth targeting for the Fish Smoker.
Introduced in the 1.6 update of Stardew Valley, the 
Fish Smoker
is a highly profitable machine that doubles the value of any fish placed inside, requiring just one 
Coal
to operate. The quality of the fish is transferred to the smoked fish, meaning iridium-quality fish will produce iridium-quality smoked fish.
Related
Stardew Valley: How to Get the Fish Smoker (& How to Use It)
The Fish Smoker is a new Artisan Machine that allows you to create Smoked Fish; here’s how to get and use this device in Stardew Valley 1.6.
When combined with the Artisan, Fisher, and Angler professions, the base value of smoked fish is multiplied by 4.2, making these professions vital for players looking to maximize their profits from Fish Smokers. This list ranks the most profitable fish for the Fish Smoker, factoring in both their value and the difficulty of catching them when the value is identical and detailing how to catch them.
1
Lava Eel
Can Be Caught In All Seasons
- Base Value: 1,400g
- Max Value: 5,880g
- Difficulty Rating: 90
The 
Lava Eel
is a highly valuable fish available year-round in Stardew Valley. It can be found at both level 100 of the Mines and in the Volcano Caldera, where it is the only fish present.
Although it’s challenging to catch and requires level 7 fishing, a single smoked Lava Eel can fetch 5,880g with the optimal combination of professions and iridium quality. It’s definitely worth trying to catch in bulk to maximize profits from Fish Smokers, but tends to be best to aim for later in the game.
2
Ice Pip
Difficult To Catch, But Very Profitable
- Base Value: 1,000g
- Max Value: 4,200g
- Difficulty Rating: 85
Like the Lava Eel, the 
Ice Pip
is available year-round in the Mines. Found on floor 60, it is one of two fish in the pond there, alongside the Ghostfish.
Related
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As with all fish, the chances of catching multiple Ice Pips increase significantly with targeted bait. This bait can be crafted in the Bait Maker, where placing one Ice Pip inside yields 5-10 Ice Pip Bait. If a player has a Fish Pond with Ice Pips, they can catch one every 5 days once the pond’s capacity reaches 10, as the fish regenerate at that point.
3
Blobfish
A Good Choice, But Not Readily Available
- Base Value: 1,000g
- Max Value: 4,200g
- Difficulty Rating: 75
The 
Blobfish
is available for just three days during the entire year in Stardew Valley. Found in the Submarine at the Night Market, it can be caught from the 15th to the 17th of Winter.
As one of three exclusive fish available from the Submarine, the Blobfish has a 10% catch rate, making it the most difficult to catch. However, the catch rate can be improved with higher fishing levels, bait, and certain food items. The Blobfish’s ‘Floater’ behavior style, characterized by fast upward acceleration, is shared with only one other fish: the 
Pufferfish
.
4
Stonefish
Easy To Catch With A Good Max Value
- Base Value: 600g
- Max Value: 2,500g
- Difficulty Rating: 65
Available throughout the entire year in Stardew Valley, the 
Stonefish
can be found on floor 20 of the Mines. Along with the 
Octopus
, it is one of only two fish that can be caught with a fishing rod that cannot be eaten unless prepared in a recipe.
The Stonefish is typically available early in the game, as it can be found relatively early in the Mines. Depending on the player’s skill, it should take about one in-game week to reach the floor where it resides.
5
Super Cucumber
Can Be Caught In Two Seasons
- Base Value: 500g
- Max Value: 2,100g
- Difficulty Rating: 80
The 
Super Cucumber
can be caught during Summer and Fall at the beach or on the beach farm from 6 PM to 2 AM and at all times in the sea around Ginger Island. It also has a chance to appear in the Submarine during the Night Market Festival, from the 15th to the 17th of Winter.
Related
Stardew Valley: Best Fishing Spots
Here’s a list of the best fishing spots in Stardew Valley for players to level up their fishing skills.
Moreover, the Super Cucumber can be caught year-round at any time in the sea using 
Magic Bait
, a valuable tool for catching it in bulk. When smoked, it fetches quite a high price, especially when paired with the Fisher, Angler, and Artisan professions.
6
Spook Fish
Another Submarine Fish With A Good Price
- Base Value: 440g
- Max Value: 1,848g
- Difficulty Rating: 60
Caught from 5 PM to 2 AM during the Night Market, the 
Spook Fish
is another highly profitable option for Fish Smokers. With a higher catch rate and a significantly easier difficulty level than the Blobfish
, the Spook Fish is an accessible and sustainable choice for regular catches in the Submarine.
It can also be caught using Magic Bait
by fishing in the bottom-left corner of the beach, near the pier, facing left. However, the catch rate is only 3.3%.
7
Catfish
Available Early Game And Can Be Caught In Bulk
- Base Value: 400g
- Max Value: 1,680g
- Difficulty Rating: 75
The 
Catfish
is primarily found in rivers, commonly caught in Cindersnap Forest or Pelican Town, but can also be found in the Secret Woods or Witch’s Swamp. It is available from 6 AM to 12 AM on rainy days during both Fall and Spring and throughout Summer in the Secret Woods and Witch’s Swamp.
Since the Catfish is available early in the game, it’s an excellent option for making money quickly, as catching it in bulk with good bait is easily accessible. Moreover, Catfish can be found in several other ways, such as in Garbage Cans and the Traveling Cart.
8
Sturgeon
Harder To Catch Than The Catfish
- Base Value: 400g
- Max Value: 1,680g
- Difficulty Rating: 78
Sturgeon
can be caught in both Summer and Winter at the Mountain Lake from 6 AM to 7 PM, but it is also available in other ways. It can appear in 
Krobus
‘ shop on Wednesdays, at the Traveling Cart, or be gifted by a pet cat with maximum friendship.
Related
Stardew Valley: Complete Guide To Fish Ponds
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Most players will eventually have a Fish Pond with Sturgeon, as 
Caviar
is needed for the Missing Bundle in the abandoned Joja Mart. Sturgeon regenerate in a Fish Pond every 4 days, allowing players to regularly fish them out and smoke them for a steady profit.
9
Pufferfish
Good Price, But Hard To Catch
- Base Value: 400g
- Max Value: 1,680g
- Difficulty Rating: 80
In Summer, Pufferfish
can be caught in the ocean from 12 PM to 4 PM on sunny days at both the Beach and Beach Farm. It is also available year-round on Ginger Island, in both Ginger Island South and Ginger Island West.
Pufferfish has a chance of appearing in the Traveling Cart for 600-1,000g and can be found in Garbage Cans during Summer. Despite its high difficulty rating, it has a steady catch rate, making it a great option for bulk smoking in the Fish Smoker.
10
Stingray
A Good Option To Catch In Bulk
- Base Value: 360g
- Max Value: 1,512g
- Difficulty Rating: 80
Available only inside the Pirate Cove on Ginger Island, the 
Stingray
is a good-value fish that’s relatively easy to catch in bulk due to its single location. It can be caught during any season and at any time of day.
While not the highest-value fish, its high catch rate provides a steady source of income once Ginger Island is unlocked. At iridium quality and with the right professions, a smoked Stingray can fetch up to 1,512g per fish, a significant increase from its base value.
