Best Fishing Games to Play in 2025

Patrick.Yu

Looking for the best fishing games to play in 2025? This list brings together top choices from serious simulators and detailed realism to relaxing adventures and cozy indie titles. Fishing games offer a great way to unwind, whether you prefer authentic gear and lifelike environments or a more casual and creative experience. No matter your style, these are the best fishing games available right now.

1. Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2

After nearly three years in early access, Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 finally saw a full release in May 2025. The game aims to deliver a realistic and immersive fishing experience, and for the most part, it succeeds. It features beautifully detailed environments based on real-world locations, a wide variety of fish species, and multiple fishing styles like bobber and spinning. Visual upgrades, water physics, and ambient sounds help create a strong sense of place, especially when casting lines in spots like the Blue Bay of Thailand or lakes in Russia. It also supports online tournaments, letting players compete with friends or the global community.

That said, the game isn’t without issues. Some players feel the mechanics lack depth, with limited control over technique and fish behavior that feels too predictable. The menu system is also clunky, often pulling focus away from the actual fishing. Equipment management, like setting up bottom rods or rot pods, requires too many steps. Still, Ultimate Fishing Simulator 2 gets the basics right and continues to improve. For those looking for a scenic and structured fishing sim with room to grow, this is a solid choice in 2025.

2. Cast n Chill

Cast n Chill is a relaxing pixel-art fishing game set along the scenic Goldenfork River. You play as a newcomer learning the ropes with help from locals like Rusty, a friendly bait shop owner who shares tips and fishing rumors. The game features 13 hand-crafted locations filled with over 50 fish species, each with their own preferred bait and time of day. As you fish, you fill out a journal that tracks weight and length, pushing you to land trophy-sized catches.

The gameplay is easy to pick up. Cast your line, wait for a bite, and reel with care to avoid snapping the line. You can sell your fish to buy new gear and unlock new areas, creating a simple but satisfying loop. The visuals are a highlight. Lush forests, calm lakes, and wandering wildlife make every moment feel peaceful. The game’s calm soundtrack and ambient sounds add to the relaxing vibe.

Cast n Chill isn’t for players looking for fast-paced action or deep simulation mechanics. But for those who enjoy cozy games, it offers one of the most charming and laid-back fishing experiences you can find in 2025. Updates are planned, including more maps and local co-op support.

3. The Catch: Carp & Coarse

The Catch: Carp & Coarse, developed by Dovetail Games, delivers a diverse and enjoyable fishing experience. The game features five visually striking locations and supports several play modes, including solo Fishing Trips, competitive Events, Online Leagues, and Multiplayer. This variety helps keep the gameplay fresh and appealing to both casual and competitive players.

Compared to Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour, which focuses on pro circuits, The Catch: Carp & Coarse highlights the hunt for unique Boss Fish and a broader fishing style. It includes detailed fish behavior, customizable gear, and multiple fishing techniques, making it a well-rounded simulation. While the game has occasional bugs, like fish reacting oddly, the overall mechanics are smooth. Its mix of realism and approachability makes it a solid pick for anyone interested in a modern fishing sim.

4. Cornerpond

Cornerpond stands out from the other fishing games on this list thanks to its unique design as a desktop companion. Instead of diving into full-screen environments or detailed simulations, this cozy pixel-art game quietly runs in a corner of your screen while you work, watch videos, or browse online. It’s perfect for players who enjoy light interaction without disrupting their usual desktop flow. Its idle mechanics are limited because progress stops after about 20 minutes due to bait and storage caps. Still, it offers a charming, minimalist experience. Unlike more immersive or competitive fishing sims, Cornerpond is best enjoyed as a relaxing background activity.

5. Call of the Wild: The Angler

Call of the Wild: The Angler is an open-world fishing sim developed by Expansive Worlds, known for The Hunter: Call of the Wild. Built on the same engine, The Angler offers stunning visuals, vast maps, and a relaxed, social multiplayer experience with full crossplay support. Players can explore five massive reserves, catch over 20 species, and mark hotspots on a dynamic map. The game also features a mission system, gear progression, and accessible mechanics that make it easy for beginners to jump in.

However, despite regular updates and community-driven improvements, development for the game has officially ended. The developers announced they’re moving on to new projects due to challenges in maintaining a large enough player base. While no new content is coming, The Angler remains fully playable online and offline, with all existing DLC still available.

The game stands out for its blend of casual exploration and social interaction, letting you fish with friends in real time without player interference. It may not match hardcore sims in realism, but it nails the feeling of a peaceful day on the water. For players who want a beautiful, relaxing fishing experience that values accessibility and cooperation, The Angler is still worth visiting in 2025.

6. Fishing Paradiso

Fishing Paradiso is a narrative-focused fishing game from developer Odencat, designed to offer a peaceful and story-driven experience. Set in a colorful, dreamlike afterlife, you explore different islands, complete quests, and catch fish to help a cast of quirky characters recover their memories. The pixel art is charming, the soundtrack is soothing, and the world feels warm and inviting.

Fishing mechanics are simple. Most of the gameplay involves casting a line and holding a button, with little skill or precision required. While the experience is relaxing, it becomes repetitive over time. The upgrade system exists, but it does not add much depth or strategy. The story has emotional moments, but the dialogue often feels flat, which can make it hard to connect with the characters.

Despite its flaws, Fishing Paradiso succeeds as a calming and pleasant adventure. It is a good choice for players seeking a quiet, low-pressure game with light RPG elements.

7. Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour

Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour, developed by Dovetail Games, delivers a realistic and immersive fishing experience geared toward both serious anglers and curious newcomers. The game’s standout feature is its career mode, which includes 100 professional anglers and partnerships with 50 licensed tackle brands. Players can earn in-game money, gain sponsors, and build a social media following, adding depth to the competition.

Mechanically, the game offers a satisfying mix of skill-based casting, reeling, and line tension management. There’s a learning curve, especially for players unfamiliar with fishing terminology, but the realism pays off. Multiple modes are available, including online tournaments, free fishing, and fully customizable setups. The graphics impress with detailed fish models and lifelike water effects, while ambient lake sounds add to the game’s calm, authentic feel.

Customization is a strong point, with plenty of gear and boat options, and a trophy fish system gives players long-term goals. Tutorials could be more hands-on, and the difficulty may be steep for true beginners, but overall, Fishing Sim World: Pro Tour remains one of the most well-rounded fishing sims available in 2025.

8. Dredge: Complete Edition

Dredge: Complete Edition is a one-of-a-kind fishing adventure that mixes peaceful daytime exploration with eerie, Lovecraft-inspired horror. Developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17, this edition includes the base game along with all three DLCs: Blackstone Key, The Pale Reach, and The Iron Rig.

You play as a lone fisherman navigating a mysterious archipelago, hauling in fish by day and fending off supernatural threats by night. The fishing itself is engaging, with mini-games for casting, catching, and inventory management. As you explore, you uncover the area’s dark secrets, salvage wreckage, and upgrade your trawler for deeper excursions. The game’s unique blend of cozy mechanics and creeping tension keeps the experience fresh and memorable.

Each DLC expands the world meaningfully. The Pale Reach introduces icy biomes and haunting side quests, while The Iron Rig adds a resource management layer with a buildable offshore facility. These additions enhance the core loop without disrupting its pace.

For players who want more than just peaceful fishing, Dredge: Complete Edition offers an atmospheric, narrative-driven journey that’s both relaxing and unsettling. It’s one of the most original and unforgettable fishing games you can play in 2025.

9. Webfishing

Webfishing is a cozy online fishing and chatroom game where you play as a customizable cat or dog and hang out with friends on a charming island full of fishing spots. Created by Lamedeveloper, the game’s simple fishing mechanics use a mix of button presses and holding the mouse, making it easy to learn and play while talking.

Its charm comes from little details, like holding up fish that are bigger than your character or showing off quirky outfits. While you can play with strangers, it’s best enjoyed with friends. The relaxed pace and short pauses between catches make it perfect for conversations. You can swap stories, catch up, or just enjoy a quiet moment. Webfishing creates the feeling of a digital summer camp with friends by the water.

10. Fishing Planet

Fishing Planet remains the gold standard for fishing simulations in 2025. Developed by Fishing Planet LLC, this free-to-play title offers a deeply authentic experience for both serious anglers and newcomers. With over 200 species of fish and 26 real-world-inspired locations, including freshwater lakes, rivers, and coastal zones, the game stands out for its variety and environmental realism.

What makes Fishing Planet exceptional is its attention to detail. Players must adapt to changing conditions such as time of day, water clarity, wind, and temperature. Fish respond differently based on bait type, retrieval speed, casting angle, and fishing method. The game supports multiple techniques, including float, spinning, bottom, and trolling. Each one features its own equipment and tactics, rewarding experimentation and precision.

Multiplayer features remain strong. Players can join tournaments, track global leaderboards, and team up in cooperative sessions. The competitive scene is supported by a skill-based progression system that encourages long-term improvement. All gear is obtainable through gameplay, with premium items offered for those who prefer faster unlocks.

Frequent updates and DLC continue to add new content and seasonal events. Despite the steep learning curve, the payoff is worth the effort. The game’s satisfaction comes from mastering its systems and landing trophy fish that feel earned.

While many fishing games focus on casual fun or stylized presentation, Fishing Planet offers depth and technical nuance. For those looking for the most complete and rewarding simulation on the market, this is still the one to beat.

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