Fishing just isn't fun. Is there anything that can make fishing easier, like an automatic fishing rod or something?

I hate that there's a community center requirement that involves this frustrating and griefy luck-based minigame.

i think i remember seeing a mod for fishing if you are open to using them
https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/1114
as far as i know this site seems safe, but i'm no expert on such things
edit: the above mod may not work in the new version of stardew valley until the creator updates his/her mod for it

also there are foods that temp raise your fishing skill to make it much easier, since level determins how big teh bar you need to keep in the fish is and also influences the fish's movement
(same for other skills )
there's a naming glitch you can use to obtain them, i can go into detail later if you want

not sure but i think your daily luck could affect fishing as well

i hope this infos can help you out

The best advice I can offer for fishing is that it gets much easier once you put some initial effort into it.
Kinda like the social elements of the game where everyone is rude to you in the beginning, fishing is kind of the same way.
You begin with a poor rod, and a low skill which leads to a small capture bar and fast moving fish.
But stick with it!

Once you get a better rod, and a few levels of fishing (as little as level 2 or 3(, you will notice an enormous difference in your ability to catch fish. Then your success will only build until before you know it, you may discover that you enjoy claiming the rewards of a days worth of fishing.

Also, unless you re using a guide, I would take notes on all the fishing specials from Living off the Land. That will help you know when you need to go looking for those special fish needed for the community center.

Use the Easy Fishing mod linked by Vyraexii. The "beta" version (v2.0) works fine on SDV 1.3 (English version only).

The mod comes with varying difficulties:

- If you really absolutely hate fishing, use the 25% file and you'll barely have to touch anything (once the fish is on the line) to catch even the most legendary fish.
- If you just wish fishing were easier but still want to have a little bit of fun and maybe a little bit of a challenge, then try the 50% or 75% files.

I have it on 50% and I find the fishing to be very easy. It's easy to swap the files so you can try out the various difficulties if you find whichever one you selected is not doing it for you. Just keep in mind that you need to re-launch the game when you overwrite the fishing file, or just overwrite the file while the game is closed.

Go to Mountain Lake and fish some Carp. They are slow moving, easy fishing.
When you build up some level, fishing can become some what lucrative.

CJB Item Spawner
Get the fishes you need for the community center and then you never have to bother again.
https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/93

These are the ones you need:
https://stardewvalleywiki.com/Bundles#Fish_Tank

Should that be too much fuss, try this mod:
Skip Fishing Minigame
https://www.nexusmods.com/stardewvalley/mods/2697

I hated that too, but somehow I could manage, and after a while I got to love fishing. It is a challange in the game, don't "cheat" it out. After a while you get a better rod, bait and other, and you will find it a relaxing thing just like real life fishing.

Fishing is a pain, but it is just practice and a test of patience, just like many things in life. But if you want to add a mod while you level up, I don't see an issue with it.

the best way i know of making fishing just a bit less terrible is by buying the training rod that they are selling at the shop by the place where you get the fishing rod. although you should keep in mind that i don't know alot about fishing in stardew valley so this probably is not the best solution. also with the training rod you can only catch basic fish. hopefully this will help a little bit with your problem.