You've finally unlocked the Witch’s Swamp. It’s eerie, green, and smells like magic and old socks. You’re standing on the edge of the murky water, casting your line, hoping for something—anything—other than trash. Then it hits. The bar bounces like a caffeinated squirrel. If you’ve been hunting for the void salmon in Stardew Valley, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It isn’t just a fish; it’s a gatekeeper for one of the weirdest late-game quests Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone ever tucked into the code.
Most players stumble upon it while trying to retrieve the Magic Ink for the Wizard. You need that ink. The Wizard needs his ex-wife to stop being so petty. But to get past the Henchman guarding the Witch’s Hut, you’re going to need a Void Mayonnaise. And unless you’ve got a Void Chicken already clucking away in a deluxe coop, catching a void salmon is your fastest ticket to progress. It’s a weird cycle. You fish for the salmon, turn it into mayo, bribe a goblin, and suddenly you’re building obelisks.
Where the Void Salmon Actually Hides
Don't go looking for this thing in the ocean. You won't find it in the mountain lake near Robin’s house, either. The void salmon is exclusive to the Witch’s Swamp. To even get there, you have to complete the Dark Talisman quest, which triggers after you finish the Community Center (or the Joja Warehouse, if you’re that kind of person). Once Krobus points you toward the Mutant Bug Lair and you grab that talisman, the cave near the train tracks opens up.
Inside the swamp, the water is dark. It’s distinct. You can catch the salmon in any season. Weather doesn't matter. Time of day? Irrelevant. Whether it’s 6:00 AM or midnight, the void salmon is waiting. Honestly, the lack of time constraints makes it one of the less stressful "rare" catches, especially compared to something like the Legend or the Octopus that requires you to be in a specific spot at 4:00 PM on a rainy Wednesday in Spring.
Fishing level matters here. If you’re rocking a low fishing skill, the void salmon will wreck you. It has a difficulty rating of 80 and uses the "mixed" movement pattern. It’s jumpy. It’s unpredictable. Use a Trap Bobber. Seriously. It slows down the "escape" bar when you aren't actively reeling, which is a lifesaver when the salmon decides to teleport from the top of the gauge to the bottom in half a second.
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The Void Mayonnaise Shortcut
So, about that goblin. The Henchman is a stubborn guy. He’s standing right in your way, blocking the path to the Witch's Hut. You could go buy a Void Egg from Krobus for 5,000g, wait for it to hatch, wait for the chicken to grow up, and then wait for it to lay an egg. That takes forever.
Instead, just catch a void salmon. Toss that purple, scaly beast into a Mayonnaise Machine. Presto. You have Void Mayonnaise. Give it to the Henchman. He’ll lose his mind over it—apparently, it’s a delicacy for his kind—and he’ll clear the path. This is the "pro gamer move" that saves you about a week of in-game time.
Beyond the Quest: Profit and Usefulness
Is it worth farming void salmon in Stardew Valley after you’ve finished the Wizard's quest? Kinda. Maybe.
If you look at the raw gold, it's decent but not "Ancient Fruit Wine" decent. An iridium-quality void salmon sells for 300g, or 450g if you have the Angler profession. That’s solid for a fish you can catch all day long. But the real value is in the Fish Pond. If you drop a void salmon into a pond, several cool things happen:
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- The Water Turns Purple: This is purely aesthetic, but let’s be real, a purple pond looks amazing on a spooky-themed farm.
- Void Essence Drops: Once the population hits about 8 or 9, they start producing Void Essence regularly.
- Void Eggs: Occasionally, they’ll just give you a Void Egg.
- Aged Roe: Void Salmon Roe turns into Aged Roe in a preserves jar, selling for a fair amount of gold.
The population grows fairly quickly. They'll ask for things like Void Essence, Bat Wings, or even a Diamond to increase the pond capacity. It's a low-maintenance way to get monster loot without actually stepping foot in the mines or the Skull Cavern.
Gifting and Recipes
Let’s talk about friends. Or the lack thereof if you try to give this fish to most people. Almost everyone in Pelican Town hates the void salmon. It’s "disgusting" or "weird." Don’t give it to Evelyn. Don’t give it to Haley.
There are only two people who actually appreciate it:
- Sebastian: He likes it. He’s the resident goth, so of course he wants the weird void fish.
- Krobus: He loves it. It reminds him of home. If you’re trying to max out your friendship with the shadow guy in the sewers, keep a stack of these in a chest.
As for cooking, there aren't any specific "Void Salmon Sushi" recipes. It just counts as "any fish" for recipes like Sashimi, Maki Rolls, or Quality Fertilizer. Honestly, turning a 450g fish into a 75g plate of Sashimi is a terrible financial decision. Don't do it.
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The Mystery of the Void Salmon Quality
Getting an iridium-quality catch here is all about distance. You want to cast your line as far away from the shore as possible. This increases your "Fishing Zone" level. If you can land your bobber in the deepest part of the swamp water, and you get a "Perfect" catch (meaning the fish never left the green bar), you’re guaranteed to bump the quality up by one tier.
I’ve seen players struggle with the "Perfect" catch on this fish because of its erratic movement. If it's jumping too much, eat some Seafoam Pudding or a Dish O' The Sea. That extra +3 or +4 to your fishing level makes the green bar huge. It turns a frustrating hunt into a relaxing afternoon in a toxic wasteland.
Facts and Common Myths
- Myth: You can catch the void salmon in the sewers.
- Fact: Nope. That’s the Mutant Carp. Different fish, different vibe.
- Myth: You need a specific bait.
- Fact: Standard bait or Wild Bait works fine. Magic Bait also works, but it's overkill since the fish is available year-round anyway.
- Fact: The void salmon is required for the Missing Bundle in the abandoned JojaMart (if you went the Community Center route). You need a Gold or Iridium quality one specifically. This is the biggest reason people keep fishing for them after the Witch's quest is over.
Master the Swamp
If you’re aiming for the "Master Angler" achievement, the void salmon in Stardew Valley is a non-negotiable requirement. It’s one of those milestones that marks your transition from a fledgling farmer to someone who truly understands the darker corners of the valley.
The strategy is simple but requires precision. Pack your Iridium Rod. Grab a couple of Trap Bobbers because they do break after a few uses. Eat a meal that buffs your fishing skill. Head to the train tracks, enter the cave, and cast into the purple-black depths.
Once you have your salmon, don't just sell it immediately. Think about your goals. Do you need to finish the Missing Bundle to unlock the Movie Theater? Save a gold-star salmon. Do you want to reach ten hearts with Krobus? Save a few for gifts. Do you just want a cool-looking pond? Build that pond first.
The void salmon is a weird, jumpy, purple metaphor for everything late-game Stardew has to offer—a little bit of work, a little bit of magic, and a whole lot of personality.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your quest log: If you haven't started the "Dark Talisman" quest, talk to the Wizard after completing the Community Center.
- Craft a Trap Bobber: Use 1 Copper Bar and 10 Sap. It is objectively the best tackle for high-difficulty fish like this.
- Level up: If your fishing skill is below 7, go grind on some Carp in the mountain lake before attempting the swamp.
- Prepare for the Missing Bundle: Keep an eye on the quality. You need that gold star for the Movie Theater unlock, and it's easier to get it now than to come back later and realize you only kept the "regular" ones.