A grizzled old fisherman with a kindly nature, 
Willy
is among the first connections players make in Stardew Valley. He gifts the player a fishing rod, teaches them how to reel in the big catch, and is available whenever players need fishing supplies.
Befriending Willy isn’t hard to do, and can provide players with surprisingly useful benefits. Stardew Valley is all about making connections with others, so take a break from farming to fish with Willy at the docks and offer a gift as a sign of generosity. He’ll especially appreciate receiving rare aquatic specimens!
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Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy is a bit of a quirky older fellow, but he’s one of the easiest NPCs to befriend in Stardew Valley thanks to his surprisingly long list of favorite gifts. With the 1.6 update, that list has only increased. There are now several books that players can give Willy as Loved or Liked gifts — most of which, unsurprisingly, have to do with fishing. Here’s everything players need to know about befriending Willy in the latest version of the game.
Gift Guide
The best way to win over friends in Stardew Valley is through generosity. To offer Willy a gift, find him in his shop most weekdays, or fishing on Saturday. In the evenings, he’ll be at the Stardrop Saloon, or fishing at the beach or river.
Keep in mind that Willy’s birthday is Summer 24. Any gift given on this day will have 8x the usual effect on friendship.
Loved Gifts
The best options to give to Willy, each of these gifts will increase friendship by 80 points. Some are hard to come by, such as the hard-to-catch fish, but pumpkins and mead are great options. Willy also loves books that let him learn more about his favorite pasttime, as well as valuable crafting materials.
Liked Gifts
If Loved gifts are a little hard for players to come by, these are good substitutes. Willy likes most seafood dishes, so players are encouraged to cook up their catch and share the bounty of the sea. Each will increase friendship by 45 points.
Disliked & Hated Gifts
Any decrease in friendship is something players should avoid; thus, avoid giving Willy these items. While Hated gifts are definitely worse than Disliked, it’s generally best to keep any of the following away from Willy:
- All foraged goods
- All cooked dishes that do not use fish
- Life Elixir
- All universal dislikes, except for fish. Willy is Neutral towards all fish, except those listed as Liked or Loved.
- All universal hates
Quests
On the “Help Wanted” board outside Pierre’s, Willy may post asking for a specific item or challenging villagers to catch a certain number of a specific fish. Completing these objectives and talking to Willy will reward the player with gold depending on the item, and 150 friendship points with Willy.
Twice, the player will receive letters from Willy, challenging them to catch a specific fish.
- Catch A Squid: On Winter 2, year one, Willy challenges the player to catch this wriggly cephalopod. It’s tricky, but doing so will reward with player with gold and 1 friendship heart with Willy.
- Catch A Lingcod: On Winter 13 in year two, Willy has an even bigger challenge. If the player can manage to snag a lingcod as requested, they’ll receive more gold and another friendship heart.
Friendship Perks
It turns out Willy’s a pretty good cook, ready to make something delicious with every fish he pulls out of the sea. Unlike most villagers who send one or two recipes, Willy sends a whopping four. Fittingly, they all provide fishing buffs.
-
Chowder
: Sent at three hearts. This dish restores 101 health and 225 energy, and provides a +1 fishing buff.
-
Escargot
: Sent at five hearts. Health and energy are equivalent to Chowder, and the fishing buff is +2.
-
Fish Stew
: Sent at seven hearts. This recipe has the same restorative properties as the above, and buffs fishing by +3.
-
Lobster Bisque
: Sent at nine hearts. Restores health and energy as the others do, provides +3 fishing, and gives +30 max energy. Great for an all-day fishing session!
