Uncover Secrets: Befriend Willy in Stardew Valley for Bountiful Rewards

This guide delves into befriending Willy, the amiable fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a key early contact, providing your initial fishing rod and ongoing supplies. Building a friendship with him offers significant advantages.

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy, while quirky, is easily befriended due to his extensive list of favored gifts, expanded with the 1.6 update. Many new books, mostly fishing-related, are now appreciated.

Gift Guide

Gifts are best presented at his shop (weekdays), or where he fishes (Saturdays/evenings). His birthday (Summer 24) multiplies gift effectiveness eightfold.

Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship)

These top-tier gifts significantly boost friendship. Some require effort (rare fish), but pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. He also appreciates valuable crafting materials and fishing-themed books.

• Fish: Catfish, Octopus, Sea Cucumber, Sturgeon
• Books: Jewels of the Sea, The Art O' Crabbing
• Mead (Honey in a Keg)
• Gold Bar (Gold Ore in Furnace)
• Iridium Bar (Iridium Ore in Furnace)
• Diamond (Mines)
• Pumpkin (Fall Crop)
• All universally loved gifts

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship)

These are viable alternatives if loved gifts are scarce. Willy enjoys most seafood dishes; cook your catch!

• Fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – neutral)
• Fish: Lingcod, Tiger Trout
• Quartz
• Bait and Bobber

Disliked & Hated Gifts (Friendship Decrease)

Avoid these:

• Foraged goods
• Non-fish-based cooked dishes
• Life Elixir
• Universally disliked/hated gifts (except fish – neutral, unless specified above)

Quests (+150 Friendship)

Willy sometimes posts requests on the Help Wanted board. Completing them rewards gold and friendship. He also sends two fishing challenges via letter:

• Catch a Squid: (Winter 2, Year 1)
• Catch a Lingcod: (Winter 13, Year 2)

Friendship Perks

Willy shares four fishing-buff recipes:

• Chowder: (+1 Fishing) (3 Hearts)
• Escargot: (+2 Fishing) (5 Hearts)
• Fish Stew: (+3 Fishing) (7 Hearts)
• Lobster Bisque: (+3 Fishing, +30 Max Energy) (9 Hearts)