When Does Trash Bear Appear?
Trash Bear does not show up at the start of the game. He appears on the first non‑rainy day of your third year, and only on days without a festival. If it rains, wait until the weather clears. He arrives at the beginning of year three and stays there until you finish his quests; there is no deadline, so you can talk to him whenever you like.
Where Is Trash Bear?
He can be found in Cindersap Forest, near the sewer drain at the bottom of the map. Look for him on the cliff beside the stairway that leads down to the sewer, close to the Spring Onion patch and the entrance to The Sewers. To reach the spot, enter Cindersap Forest from Marnie’s Ranch, head south to the river, cross the wooden bridge to the small island, then continue across to the opposite bank and walk south until you see him.
What Are Trash Bear’s Quests?
Talking to Trash Bear triggers four requests. He asks for two fish or foraged items and two cooked dishes. The fish or foraged item request may change if the season makes the requested item unavailable; otherwise the request stays the same. There is no time limit, and the items do not need to be collected in the same season.
Below is a summary of possible requests by season. In Spring he might ask for Anchovy, Bream, Carp, Catfish, Daffodil, Dandelion, Eel, Herring, Largemouth Bass, Leek, Sardine, Seaweed, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, or Wild Horseradish. In Summer the list includes Bream, Carp, Grape, Largemouth Bass, Octopus, Pike, Pufferfish, Rainbow Trout, Red Mullet, Red Snapper, Sardine, Spice Berry, Sunfish, Super Cucumber, Sweet Pea, and Tuna. In Fall he could request Anchovy, Blackberry, Bream, Carp, Catfish, Common Mushroom, Eel, Hazelnut, Largemouth Bass, Red Snapper, Salmon, Sardine, Sea Cucumber, Smallmouth Bass, Super Cucumber, Walleye, Wild Plum, or Winter Root. In Winter the options are Bream, Catfish, Crocus, Crystal Fruit, Herring, Largemouth Bass, Perch, Pike, Red Mullet, Red Snapper, Sardine, Sea Cucumber, Snow Yam, Squid, Tuna, Walleye, and Winter Root. Foraged items such as Daffodil, Dandelion, Leek, Wild Horseradish, Blackberry, Hazelnut, Common Mushroom, and Wild Plum also appear depending on the season.
Cooked dishes are requested after you deliver the two fish or foraged items. Any recipe you know works, and the dishes never change with the seasons. You can learn recipes by watching The Queen of Sauce on Sundays, catching reruns on Wednesdays, buying from Gus the Traveling Cart, or receiving them as gifts from villagers.
Rewards From Trash Bear
When you complete all four requests, a cutscene plays and Trash Bear rewards you with three aesthetic changes: the trash along the water’s edge near the sewer is replaced with bushes and trees, the dog pen by the Stardrop Saloon is upgraded, and the trash in Pam’s front yard disappears. Additionally, if your friendship with Pam reaches nine hearts, her trailer can be upgraded into a cute cottage. These upgrades are purely visual, but they make Pelican Town look nicer.
