Welcome to Caviar Wikipedia. I’m so excited to share this guide with you. Today, we’re talking about how to get caviar in Stardew Valley. It’s a fun challenge, and I’ll walk you through every step. This guide is simple and easy to follow. Let’s make it feel like we’re chatting over coffee about our farms!
Caviar is a cool item in the game. It’s fancy, valuable, and takes some effort to make. Don’t worry, though I’ve got your back. We’ll cover everything from catching a fish to turning its roe into caviar. Plus, I’ll throw in some tips to make it easier. Ready? Let’s dive in!
What Is Caviar in Stardew Valley?
First things first, what’s caviar all about? In Stardew Valley, caviar is an artisanal good. You make it from sturgeon roe using a preserved jar. It’s not something you find lying around. You have to craft it yourself, which makes it special.
Why bother with caviar? It’s worth a lot! It sells for 500 gold. If you have the Artisan profession, it jumps to 700 gold. That’s some serious cash for your farm.
But it’s not just about money. Caviar has other uses, too. You can donate it to a bundle, use it in tailoring, or even gift it to villagers. It’s a luxury item that feels rewarding to produce.
In this guide, we’ll go step by step. We’ll catch a sturgeon, build a fish pond, collect roe, and make caviar. I’ll also tell you what to do with it once you’ve got it. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Catching a Sturgeon
Okay, let’s kick things off with the first step—catching a sturgeon. This fish is the star of our caviar journey. Without it, no roe, no caviar. So, where do we find it?
Where and When to Catch a Sturgeon
Sturgeon live in the Mountain Lake. That’s the big body of water north of Pelican Town. You’ll find it near the Carpenter’s Shop and the Mines entrance.
They only show up in two seasons: summer and winter. Time of day matters too. You can catch them between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Plan your day so you’re there at the right time.
How to Catch It
Fishing in Stardew Valley can be tricky, especially with sturgeon. They’re not the easiest to reel in. But don’t worry I’ve got some tips to help you out.
- Get a Good Rod: Head to Willy’s Fish Shop and upgrade your fishing rod. The Iridium Rod is the best. It lets you use bait and tackle. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.
- Use Bait and Tackle: Slap some bait on your rod. It makes fish bite faster. Tackle helps too. Try the Cork Bobber—it makes the fishing bar bigger. Or use the Trap Bobber—it slows the fish down. Both make sturgeon easier to catch.
- Fish on Rainy Days: Rain boosts your chances. Sturgeon love rainy weather, especially in summer. Check the TV for the forecast. If it’s raining, grab your rod and go!
- Cast Far: Sturgeon hang out in deeper water. Cast your line as far as you can. It takes practice, but you’ll get the hang of it.
- Stay Patient: Don’t give up if you miss a few times. Fishing takes skill. Keep at it, and you’ll snag that sturgeon.
Once you’ve got one, hold onto it. You don’t need a bunch—just one sturgeon will do for now. Pop it in your inventory or a chest. We’ll use it soon.
Step 2: Building a Fish Pond
Got your sturgeon? Awesome! Next, we need a fish pond. This is where your sturgeon will live and make roe. It’s a cool farm building that’s super useful.
What You Need
To build a fish pond, visit Robin at the Carpenter’s Shop. She’ll hook you up. Here’s what it costs:
- Gold: 5,000g
- Materials: 5 Seaweed, 5 Green Algae, 200 Stone
Let’s gather those real quick.
- Seaweed: Fish in the ocean or use Crab Pots. You’ll find it easy enough.
- Green Algae: Fish in rivers or ponds. Crab Pots work here too.
- Stone: Smash rocks in the Mines or on your farm. You’ll have 200 in no time.
Building the Pond
Got everything? Great! Head to Robin. Tell her you want a fish pond. Pick a spot on your farm—it needs a 5×5 space. Make sure it’s somewhere you can check daily. Robin takes a few days to build it. When she’s done, you’ll have a shiny new pond.
Adding the Sturgeon
Now, let’s put that sturgeon to work. Grab it from your inventory. Walk up to the pond. Interact with it, and plop the sturgeon in. You’ll see it swimming around. Cute, right? That’s it for this step. Your sturgeon is ready to start producing roe.
Step 3: Collecting Sturgeon Roe
With the pond set up, it’s time to collect roe. This is the stuff we’ll turn into caviar. Let’s see how it works.
How Roe Happens
Sturgeon in a fish pond make roe every now and then. It’s not instant, though. After you add the sturgeon, it might take a day or two to start. Check the pond each morning. If there’s roe, you’ll see it floating there.
Collecting It
To grab the roe, walk up to the pond. Press the interact button. If there’s roe, it’ll pop into your inventory. Simple as that! Keep checking daily. Roe builds up over time, so don’t skip it.
A Few Notes
Sturgeon roe is special. It’s black, unlike other fish roe. Only sturgeon roe makes caviar—other roe turns into something else. Also, the pond can hold more fish later. We’ll talk about that in the tips section. For now, one sturgeon is enough.
Step 4: Making Caviar with a Preserves Jar
Here’s the fun part—turning roe into caviar! You’ll need a preserves jar for this. Let’s get it ready.
Getting a Preserves Jar
First, do you have one? You unlock the recipe at Farming Level 4. If you’re not there yet, keep farming crops or animals. Once you hit Level 4, you can craft it. Here’s what you need:
- 50 Wood
- 40 Stone
- 8 Coal
Gather those up. Wood comes from chopping trees. Stone’s from rocks. Coal’s from mining or kilns. Craft the jar in your menu. Place it on your farm—maybe near the pond for easy access.
Making the Caviar
Now, let’s process that roe. Follow these steps:
- Pick the Roe: Grab your sturgeon roe from your inventory.
- Load the Jar: Walk to the preserves jar. Interact with it. Put the roe in.
- Wait: It takes 4 days to finish. You’ll see a progress bar on the jar.
- Collect: When it’s done, interact again. Boom—caviar!
Each roe makes one caviar. Want more? Collect more roe and use more jars. Just make sure it’s sturgeon roe—other roe won’t work.
What to Do with Caviar
You’ve got caviar—nice job! What now? There are lots of options. Let’s check them out.
Sell It
Caviar’s worth 500 gold. With the Artisan profession, it’s 700 gold. That’s big money! Toss it in the shipping bin or sell it directly. It’s a great way to fund your farm.
Missing Bundle
If you’ve finished the Community Center, there’s more to do. The abandoned JojaMart has the Missing Bundle. Caviar’s one of the items it needs. Donate it, and you’ll unlock the Movie Theater. It’s a fun reward for late-game players.
Tailoring
Fancy a new look? Use caviar in tailoring. Combine it with cloth at the Sewing Machine. You’ll get a Fashion Hat. It’s stylish and shows off your caviar skills. Find the Sewing Machine at Emily’s house or craft one.
Gifting
Villagers have opinions on caviar. Most like it—think Abigail, Alex, or Caroline. It’s a solid gift to boost friendship. But watch out! Jas, Sebastian, and Vincent hate it. Don’t give it to them, or they’ll be mad.
Eating It
You can eat caviar too. It gives 175 energy and 78 health. Not the best food for that, but it works in a pinch. Probably better to sell or gift it, though.
Pick what fits your goals. Caviar’s versatile!
Tips and Tricks
Want to make this easier? Here are some handy tips. I’ve learned these from playing way too much Stardew Valley.
Boost Pond Production
Your fish pond can level up. It’ll ask for random items, like coral or copper bars. Bring them, and the pond’s capacity grows. Add more sturgeon. More fish, more roe, more caviar. It’s worth the effort.
Use Extra Jars
Four days is slow for one jar. Craft more preserved jars. Set up a little caviar factory. Load them all with roe. You’ll have tons of caviar in no time.
Traveling Cart Shortcut
Short on time? Check the Traveling Cart. It visits Fridays and Sundays south of your farm. Sometimes, it sells caviar. It costs 1,500 to 2,500 gold—pricey, but quick. Keep an eye out.
Plan Fishing
Sturgeon are seasonal. Summer and winter only. If it’s spring or fall, wait it out. Or use Magic Bait—it lets you catch them anytime. You get it from Qi’s shop later in the game.
Stockpile Sturgeon
Catch extra sturgeon? Don’t sell them. Store them in chests or build more ponds. It’s a backup for more row later. Future you will thank you.
These tricks save time and make caviar a breeze. Try them out!
Conclusion
And that’s it, friends! You now know how to get caviar in Stardew Valley. Let’s recap the steps:
- Catch a sturgeon at the Mountain Lake in summer or winter.
- Build a fish pond with Robin.
- Put the sturgeon in and collect its roe.
- Turn the roe into caviar with a preserves jar.
It’s a process, but it’s so satisfying. Sell it, gift it, or use it for bundles—whatever you want. You’ve earned it!
Thanks for hanging out with me at Caviar Wikipedia. I hope this guide helps your farm thrive. Got questions? Drop by anytime. Happy farming, and enjoy that caviar!
Extra Thoughts and Details
Okay, I’ve got some space left, and I want this guide to be super thorough. Let’s dig deeper into each step. Maybe you’re new to Stardew Valley, or maybe you just want more info. Either way, I’ll keep it simple and fun.
More on Catching Sturgeon
Fishing can feel like a mini-game inside the game. That little bar moves fast, right? Sturgeon are tough because they wiggle a lot. If you’re struggling, level up your Fishing skill first. Catch easier fish around town. Each catch gives experience.
At Fishing Level 2, you can buy bait from Willy. At Level 3, you unlock tackle. It’s a slow climb, but it pays off.
Weather’s a big deal too. Rain doesn’t just help sturgeon—it makes all fish bite more. Summer storms are perfect. Winter’s trickier since it doesn’t rain, but snow doesn’t hurt your odds. Time your trips right, and you’ll be golden.
Oh, and trash! Sometimes you hook junk instead of fish. It’s annoying, but keep going. Every cast gets you closer to that sturgeon. When you finally see “Sturgeon” pop up, it’s a rush!
Fish Pond Fun
The fish pond is one of my favorite additions to Stardew Valley. It came in the 1.4 update, so if your game’s old, update it. Ponds aren’t just for sturgeon either. You can raise other fish—like tuna or rainbow trout. Each makes different stuff. But sturgeon’s our VIP here.
Building it feels like a little project. Gathering seaweed and algae is chill. Fish at the beach or river for a bit. You might even snag some while hunting sturgeon. Stone’s everywhere—hit the Mines if you’re short. The 5,000 gold stings early on, but it’s an investment. Roe and caviar pay it back fast.
Once it’s built, the pond’s low maintenance. Just visit daily. It’s like checking on a pet. Seeing that sturgeon swim is oddly calming.
Roe Collecting Tips
Roe’s random, but steady. One sturgeon might give roe every few days. It’s not a flood, but it adds up. If you’re impatient, that’s where extra sturgeon come in. The pond starts with room for one fish. After a quest—like bringing 1 coral, it holds three. More quests, more space. Max is ten fish. That’s a Roe machine!
Quests pop up randomly. The sturgeon “asks” for stuff. It might want a diamond or some iron ore. Check the pond’s signpost to see. Completing them feels rewarding. Plus, you get extra goodies sometimes—like fish eggs or bait.
Keep Roe in a chest near the pond. It stacks up, and you don’t want it clogging your inventory. When you’ve got a bunch, it’s caviar time!
Preserves Jar Hacks
Crafting one jar’s easy. Scaling up’s better. Wood and stone are simple to stockpile. Coal’s the bottleneck. Mine it in the lower Mine levels—20 and below. Or craft a Charcoal Kiln. Chop a tree, burn the wood, get coal. It’s a cycle that keeps your jars humming.
Place jars in rows. Load them all at once. Four days later, you’ve got a caviar haul. If you’re into decorating, they look cool in a shed or barn. I’ve got a whole “artisan corner” on my farm—jars, kegs, the works.
Timing’s key. Start jars before bed on a Sunday. By Thursday night, they’re done. It fits the game’s week nicely. You’ll feel like a pro timing it right.
Caviar Uses Expanded
Selling’s obvious, but let’s talk bundles. The Missing Bundle’s a late-game gem. You need the Community Center done first. Then, the JojaMart abandons. Check inside—there’s a bundle with a crazy list. Caviar’s one piece. Finish it, and the Movie Theater opens. Invite a villager for a date night—it’s adorable.
Tailoring’s slept on. The Fashion Hat’s not just about looks. Wear it to festivals or the fair. Villagers notice your style. Cloth’s easy—grow cotton or recycle soggy newspaper. Combine with caviar, and you’re a fashion icon.
Gifting’s tricky. Most adults like caviar. Kids hate it—except maybe Leo on Ginger Island. Check a villager guide if you’re unsure. I once gave it to Sebastian by mistake. He was not impressed.
Eating caviar is rare for me. With 500 gold on the line, I’d rather cook sashimi or something cheap. But if you’re deep in the Mines and starving, it’s a lifeline.
Final Tips
One last trick—fish ponds can overflow. Too much roe, and it stops producing. Collect often. If you’re swamped, sell extra roe. It’s 80 gold base—not caviar money, but decent.
Also, sturgeon aren’t at the lake alone. You might hook a carp or bullhead. Keep them for other ponds or recipes. Waste not, want not!
If you hit a wall, like no sturgeon in winter, explore other spots. They’re rare at West Ocean or Garbage Cans, but it happens. Magic Bait’s a cheat code there. Unlock it with 25 Qi Gems at the Walnut Room. Worth it if you’re desperate.
Wrapping Up
Wow, we’ve covered a lot! From the Mountain Lake to your preserves jar, you’re a caviar expert now. I love how Stardew Valley makes simple tasks feel epic. Catching one fish turns into a whole adventure.
At Caviar Wikipedia, we’re all about sharing the fun. This guide’s your roadmap. Follow it, tweak it, make it yours. The game’s best when you play your way.
So, what’s next? Try making caviar this season. Tell me how it goes! I’ll be here, rooting for your farm. Happy fishing, crafting, and farming. You’ve got this!