This guide delves into building a strong friendship with Willy, the amiable fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's a key early contact, providing your initial fishing rod and ongoing supplies. Strengthening your bond with him offers significant advantages.
Updated January 4, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Willy, while a bit quirky, is surprisingly easy to befriend due to his extensive list of favored gifts, expanded with the 1.6 update. Many new books related to fishing now rank highly. This guide covers befriending Willy in the latest game version.
Gift Giving Guide
Generosity is key to friendship in Stardew Valley. Find Willy at his shop (most weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon/beach/river (evenings). Remember his birthday (Summer 24) – gifts then have an 8x friendship boost.
Top-Tier Gifts (Loved)
These gifts yield an 80-point friendship increase. Some, like rare fish, require effort, but pumpkins and mead are readily accessible. He also appreciates fishing-related books and valuable crafting materials.
- Fish:
, 
, 
, 
- Books:
, 
(Honey in a Keg)
(Gold Ore in Furnace)
(Iridium Ore in Furnace)
(Mines)
(Fall Crop)- All universally loved items
Solid Gifts (Liked)
If top-tier gifts are scarce, these are excellent alternatives, each boosting friendship by 45 points. Willy enjoys most fish-based dishes.
- Fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – neutral)
- Fish:
, 
Gifts to Avoid (Disliked & Hated)
Minimize friendship loss by avoiding these:
- Foraged goods
- Non-fish-based cooked dishes
- Life Elixir
- Universally disliked items (except fish; Willy is neutral towards most fish, excluding those listed above)
Quests and Rewards
Willy sometimes posts requests on the bulletin board outside Pierre's, offering gold and 150 friendship points for completion. He also sends two challenge letters:
- Catch a Squid (Winter 2, Year 1): Rewards gold and 1 friendship heart.
- Catch a Lingcod (Winter 13, Year 2): Rewards more gold and another friendship heart.
Friendship Benefits
Willy shares four fishing-buff recipes as your friendship grows:
- Chowder (3 hearts): +1 fishing buff.
- Escargot (5 hearts): +2 fishing buff.
- Fish Stew (7 hearts): +3 fishing buff.
- Lobster Bisque (9 hearts): +3 fishing buff, +30 max energy.
