This guide focuses on befriending Willy, the fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a valuable contact, providing fishing supplies and offering friendship perks.
Befriending Willy is straightforward and offers significant advantages. Give him gifts to boost your friendship level. He appreciates rare fish and valuable items.
Updated January 4, 2025: Willy's favorite gifts have expanded with the 1.6 update, including several fishing-related books.
Gift Guide
Give Willy gifts at his shop (most weekdays), while he's fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). Gifts given on his birthday (Summer 24) have an 8x friendship boost.
Loved Gifts (+80 friendship):
- 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):
- Cooked fish dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll)
- Fish: Lingcod
, Tiger Trout 
- Quartz
- Bait and Bobber
Disliked & Hated Gifts: Avoid foraged goods, non-fish cooked dishes, Life Elixir, universally disliked/hated items (except fish – Willy is neutral towards most fish not listed above).
Quests:
Complete Willy's requests on the bulletin board for gold and friendship points. He'll also send two letters challenging you to catch specific fish (Squid - Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod - Winter 13, Year 2).
Friendship Perks:
Willy sends four fishing-buff recipes at increasing friendship levels: Chowder (+1 fishing), Escargot (+2 fishing), Fish Stew (+3 fishing), Lobster Bisque (+3 fishing, +30 max energy).
