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Introduction
Trout Derby
Date and Time
The Trout Derby takes place over two days, on Summer 20 and 21. When these days approach, you will not receive any mail; instead, a notification will appear on your screen telling you that the Trout Derby has begun. This will occur at 6:10 am, and the Derby goes all the way until the end of the night at 2 am.
Location
The Trout Derby takes place in the Cindersap Forest, right by the river near Marnie’s Ranch, offering a picturesque setting for this fishing-focused event. To help you find the festival’s location, a tent and a sign will be set up near the river, clearly marking the spot where the competition will take place. Unlike many other festivals in Stardew Valley, the Trout Derby is not confined to a specific area that blocks off other parts of the map. This means that players can come and go as they please, without being restricted by the usual festival boundaries. You’re free to move around the town, check in with shops or visit homes, all while participating in the derby.
The festival’s location remains consistent each year, making it easy to know exactly where to go when the event returns in future summers. In addition to the open access to the festival grounds, players have the flexibility to set up camp nearby. This can be especially useful for players who want to stay close to the river and continue fishing without having to return to their farm or make trips to the town. Having a nearby camp setup allows you to make the most of your time during the event, fishing for as many Rainbow Trout as possible and collecting the rewards the festival offers.
The Trout Derby provides a relaxing, open experience where players can enjoy the event without feeling rushed, all while making the most of the beautiful surroundings of Cindersap Forest.
How to Participate
To participate in the Trout Derby, the main activity is to fish for Rainbow Trout in the river within the Cindersap Forest. Rainbow Trout are a common fish found in this river, typically on sunny days during the summer. However, during the festival, you can catch Rainbow Trout all day long, regardless of the weather. Each Rainbow Trout you catch has a 33% chance of having a Golden Tag attached to it. The Golden Tag is the festival’s form of currency, which can be used to exchange for prizes at the Derby Booth.
Catching multiple Rainbow Trout in one go increases your chances of getting a Golden Tag. For instance, catching two at once will raise the chance to 66%, and catching three will give you a near-certain 99% chance of obtaining a Golden Tag. However, despite the increased odds, you can only receive one Golden Tag per catch, even if multiple Rainbow Trout are caught simultaneously. If you happen to catch a Fishing Treasure Chest, the Golden Tag will be found inside the chest.
The Golden Tags earned during the festival carry over from day to day, allowing you to save them for the second day of the event. Additionally, these Golden Tags can be saved for subsequent years, giving you a chance to accumulate them over multiple festivals. To get started, simply equip your fishing rod and head to the river in the Cindersap Forest. You can come and go as you wish throughout the festival, making it easy to balance fishing with your other daily activities. You can also set up camp nearby, which can help you stay close to the fishing spots and continue fishing without interruption.
Tips for Catching Rainbow Trout and Golden Tags
Tip #1
To significantly increase your chances of catching Rainbow Trout with a Golden Tag during the Trout Derby, you can make use of several strategies, tools, and techniques that will help you optimize your fishing. One of the most effective ways to boost your odds is by using Challenge Bait and aiming for a perfect catch.
Tip #2
When you achieve a perfect catch with Challenge Bait, you’re guaranteed to catch three Rainbow Trout at once, which in turn raises your chances of receiving a Golden Tag to a near-certain 99%. This makes Challenge Bait an essential tool for anyone looking to maximize their rewards during the event. Additionally, if you’ve leveled up your Fishing Mastery, you can use Challenge Bait to catch multiple fish simultaneously, which further increases your odds of obtaining a Golden Tag. This synergy between Challenge Bait and Fishing Mastery makes it a powerful combination for the Trout Derby.
Tip #3
Another great way to improve your fishing success is by using Cork Bobbers or other fishing buffs. These items increase the size of your fishing bar, making it easier to land a perfect catch. A larger fishing bar means you have a better chance of securing that perfect catch, which, as mentioned, increases the likelihood of getting a Golden Tag. Cork Bobbers are especially helpful if you find it difficult to consistently land a perfect catch, as they provide a larger window of opportunity for you to reel in the fish successfully.
Tip #4
In addition to using Challenge Bait and fishing buffs, you can also create a Bait Maker to turn any previously caught Rainbow Trout into Rainbow Trout Bait. This process will significantly increase the number of Rainbow Trout you can catch each day, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to snag fish with Golden Tags. You can even bring your Bait Maker to the festival itself, allowing you to create more targeted bait on-site.
Tip #5
This adds a lot of convenience and efficiency to your fishing, as you won’t need to return to your farm to craft more bait during the event. The Rainbow Trout Bait also increases the chances of catching more Rainbow Trout, making it an invaluable tool for the festival.
Tip #6
Additionally, you can catch multiple fish at once during the Trout Derby, which increases your chances of getting a Golden Tag. By using Challenge Bait or leveraging Fishing Mastery, you can fish for multiple Rainbow Trout at the same time, further improving your odds of receiving a Golden Tag with every cast. Even without multiple fish, fishing buffs and targeted bait will improve your efficiency and increase your chances of catching more Rainbow Trout overall.
Tip #7
By combining these various tools and techniques, you’ll be able to maximize your chances of success in the Trout Derby. With Challenge Bait, Cork Bobbers, Bait Makers, Sonar Bobbers, and the ability to catch multiple fish, you’ll significantly improve your fishing efficiency, allowing you to catch more Rainbow Trout and collect more Golden Tags. This will not only help you earn more rewards but also make the festival a much more enjoyable and profitable experience. By employing these strategies, you can ensure a highly successful Trout Derby every year..
Prizes
The player redeems Golden Tags one at a time for available prizes. Each Golden Tag must be exchanged individually, even if the player has multiple in their inventory.
The first prize received is always one Tent Kit. After that, the player can obtain one of ten possible prizes listed below. The first prize from this list is awarded randomly, and each subsequent prize is received in the listed order—for example, a Bucket Hat is awarded after collecting three Omni Geodes. Once all ten prizes have been received, the sequence restarts, and the same prizes are awarded again in the same order.
| Image | Name |
 | Bucket Hat |
 | Crab Pot |
 | Mystery Box |
 | Diamond |
 | Mounted Trout |
 | Deluxe Bait |
 | Triple Shot Espresso |
 | Quality Sprinkler |
 | Warp Totem: Farm |
 | Omni Geode |
Frequently Asked Questions(F.A.Q)
❓What is the Trout Derby?
The Trout Derby is a summer mini-festival introduced in the 1.6 update where players compete to catch as many Rainbow Trout as possible within a limited time.
❓When does the Trout Derby take place?
It occurs once per year during summer. The exact day can vary, so check your in-game calendar or announcements.
❓Where is the Trout Derby held?
The event takes place near the river in Pelican Town. The area is temporarily set up for the festival.
❓How do I participate in the Trout Derby?
Simply go to the river festival location on the event day and talk to the NPC in charge (usually Mayor Lewis or another character) to start the competition.
❓What kind of fish do I need to catch?
Only Rainbow Trout count toward your score in the derby.
❓What fishing rod should I use?
Any rod will work, but upgraded rods with bait or tackle can improve your chances of catching more fish quickly.
❓Are there any fishing tips for the Trout Derby?
Yes! Use bait and tackle, cast near moving water, and time your button presses to maximize catch speed. Focus on perfect catches to increase efficiency.
❓What are the rewards for winning or participating?
Players can earn exclusive prizes not available elsewhere, including clothing, furniture, and other special items.
❓Can I win all the rewards in one event?
Not usually. The event is repeatable each year, giving you multiple chances to collect all prizes over time.
❓Do the rewards change each year?
The rewards follow a set rotation, so if you miss any in one year, you can get them in a future year.
