Summary

  • Stardew Valley players can unlock a fishing guide channel by completing a favor for Pam involving Potato Juice delivery.
  • The Fishing Information Broadcast Service provides detailed info on fish availability, locations, times, and weather conditions.
  • This feature was added in the 1.5 update, not the recent 1.6 update, encouraging players to explore all Special Orders.

A Stardew Valley player has made a helpful discovery for fishermen in the game, but it took them a year to discover it existed. It seems that's hardly something to be embarassed about, though, as many Stardew Valley community members have also chimed in that they didn't know this particular feature of the game exists.

Whenever Stardew Valley gets a new major update, it receives additional features. However, some of these functions can go unnoticed for a long time. Stardew Valley doesn't require players to play in any particular way, so there's a lot that can be left undiscovered. In this particular case, it seems that a seemingly unrelated delivery to a Pelican Town NPC can make a fisherman's life easier.

Reddit user millennium-sky discovered that if the player does a favor for Pam, they get access to a special fishing network. Specifically, on the town's Special Orders board in front of the Mayor's house, Pam will request that the player bring her 12 Potato Juice from their farm. Once delivered, Pam will contact the player via mail and ask them if they've ever checked out channel 736 on their TV. After that point, checking the television will allow the player to tune into F.I.B.S., or the Fishing Information Broadcast Service.

What Does the Stardew Valley Fishing Channel Do?

The Fishing Information Broadcast Service is a channel that informs the player as to what fish are available during the season. It details where each fish can be found, and even narrows down the time of day and the weather conditions that are needed for them to spawn. For players trying to complete other NPCs' fish quests or who need to complete the Junimo requests at the community center, this can be a huge help. Some fish are very limited and only regularly appear for an hour or two, and many players resort to looking up online resources on where to find fish in Stardew Valley. With access to the channel, players can easily determine what's available and how to get it.

Millennium-sky is not alone in not knowing that this was a feature. Several players have been startled to learn of it, as they never encountered it, with some suspecting it was added in the most recent Stardew Valley 1.6 update. However, it was actually added in the 1.5 update. Players who haven't tried out all of the community's Special Orders yet may want to do so, as there are a variety of rewards that are given by each NPC upon completing their request.

While Stardew Valley's developer hasn't committed to any major content updates past Stardew Valley 1.6, he has said that it's not out of the question, so there may be yet more discoveries to make in the years to come.

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Stardew Valley Tag Page Cover Art

Stardew Valley
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RPG
Simulation
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 90 /100 Critics Rec: 99%
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Released
February 26, 2016
ESRB
E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Publisher(s)
ConcernedApe
Engine
Proprietary
Multiplayer
Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
Cross-Platform Play
Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in Stardew Valley. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? It won’t be easy. Ever since Joja Corporation came to town, the old ways of life have all but disappeared. The community center, once the town’s most vibrant hub of activity, now lies in shambles. But the valley seems full of opportunity. With a little dedication, you might just be the one to restore Stardew Valley to greatness!

Cross Save
cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
Number of Players
1-4
Split Screen Orientation
Vertical or Horizontal
Steam Deck Compatibility
Verified
Platform(s)
PC, Xbox One, Android, iOS, PS4, Switch
Genre(s)
RPG, Simulation
How Long To Beat
53 Hours
File Size Xbox Series
1 GB (November 2023)
Local Co-Op Support
1-4 Players