Stardew Valley: How To Befriend Willy

This guide explores how to befriend Willy, the kind-hearted fisherman in Stardew Valley. Building a relationship with Willy offers valuable rewards, including fishing buffs and helpful recipes.

Willy, a staple in the Stardew Valley community, provides the player with their initial fishing rod and readily supplies fishing gear. Strengthening your bond with him is straightforward and yields significant advantages. Take a break from farming, visit Willy at his shop (weekdays), or find him fishing (weekends/evenings), and offer a gift to show your appreciation. He especially favors rare aquatic finds!

Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: This updated guide reflects the 1.6 update, expanding on Willy's preferred gifts, including several new books focusing on fishing.

Gift Guide

Friendship in Stardew Valley thrives on generosity. Present Willy with a gift at his shop (most weekdays), or while he's fishing. Remember, his birthday (Summer 24) multiplies gift effectiveness eightfold!

Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship):

These top-tier gifts significantly boost your friendship level. While some, like specific fish, require effort, pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. Willy also appreciates books about fishing and valuable crafting materials.

• 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 excellent alternatives if obtaining Loved gifts proves challenging. Willy enjoys most seafood dishes; cook your catch and share the bounty!

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

Disliked & Hated Gifts:

Avoid these gifts to prevent friendship loss. Generally, steer clear of foraged goods, non-fish-based dishes, Life Elixir, universally disliked items (except for fish – neutral except for Liked/Loved fish).

Quests (+150 Friendship):

Willy occasionally posts quests on the bulletin board outside Pierre's, rewarding you with gold and friendship points upon completion. He also sends two letters challenging you to catch specific fish (Squid - Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod - Winter 13, Year 2).

Friendship Perks:

Willy's culinary skills shine through four unique fishing buff recipes he sends as your friendship grows: Chowder (3 hearts), Escargot (5 hearts), Fish Stew (7 hearts), and Lobster Bisque (9 hearts). Each provides health/energy restoration and increasing fishing buffs.