Stardew Valley: How To Befriend Willy

This guide explores befriending Willy, the kindly fisherman in Stardew Valley. He's an early contact, providing a fishing rod and supplies. Befriending him offers significant advantages.

Building a relationship with Willy is straightforward, rewarding generosity with useful benefits. Visit his shop (weekdays), or find him fishing (weekends and evenings). Gifts significantly boost friendship.

Updated January 4, 2025: Willy's favorite gifts have expanded with the 1.6 update, including several fishing-related books.

Gift Guide

Gifts given on Willy's 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: () (Made with Honey in a Keg)
• Gold Bar: () (From Gold Ore in a Furnace)
• Iridium Bar: () (From Iridium Ore in a Furnace)
• Diamond: () (Found in Mines)
• Pumpkin: () (Grown in Fall)
• All universally loved gifts.

Liked Gifts (+45 Friendship):

• Most 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 foraged goods, non-fish-based dishes, Life Elixir, universally disliked items (except for fish – neutral except for Liked/Loved fish).

Quests:

Willy posts requests on the bulletin board. Completing them rewards gold and 150 friendship points. He also sends two letters challenging fish catches (Squid – Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod – Winter 13, Year 2).

Friendship Perks:

Willy sends four fishing-buff recipes: Chowder () (3 hearts), Escargot () (5 hearts), Fish Stew () (7 hearts), Lobster Bisque () (9 hearts). These restore health and energy and provide fishing buffs.