This guide details how to befriend Willy, the kindly old fisherman in Stardew Valley. Befriending him offers significant benefits, including fishing buffs and unique recipes.
Willy is readily accessible, often found in his shop (weekdays), fishing (Saturdays), or at the Stardrop Saloon (evenings). Giving him gifts is the most effective way to boost your friendship. His birthday is Summer 24th; gifts given then have an 8x friendship boost.
Gift Guide
Loved Gifts (+80 Friendship): These are the best options.
- Fish: Catfish
, Octopus 
, Sea Cucumber 
, Sturgeon 
- Books: Jewels of the Sea
, The Art O' Crabbing 
- Mead:
(Made from 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): Good alternatives if Loved gifts are scarce.
- Most fish-based cooked dishes (excluding Dish O' the Sea, Sashimi, Maki Roll – he's neutral to these).
- Lingcod
, Tiger Trout 
- Quartz
- Bait and Bobber
Disliked & Hated Gifts: Avoid these to prevent friendship loss.
- Foraged goods
- Non-fish-based cooked dishes
- Life Elixir
- Universally disliked/hated gifts (except fish; Willy is neutral towards most fish not listed above).
Quests: Completing Willy's requests on the bulletin board rewards gold and significant friendship points (150). He also sends two letters challenging you to catch specific fish (Squid on Winter 2, Year 1; Lingcod on Winter 13, Year 2), rewarding friendship and gold.
Friendship Perks: Reaching friendship milestones unlocks unique fishing buff recipes:
- 3 Hearts: Chowder (+1 Fishing)
- 5 Hearts: Escargot (+2 Fishing)
- 7 Hearts: Fish Stew (+3 Fishing)
- 9 Hearts: Lobster Bisque (+3 Fishing, +30 Max Energy)
