Join us as we do a deep dive into the fishing-themed casino game vertical to discuss who makes the best titles and why they are so prevalent at online casinos.
Gambling, like any other entertainment industry, has grown and evolved alongside technology, innovation, and player needs. Over time, the industry has morphed from one focused on card and dice games into one where slot machines are the talk of the town.
With the advent of the internet, the widespread adoption of home computers, and the advancement of mobile technology, land-based casinos began to lose ground to more accessible online casinos and sports betting sites.
Not only have the types of games enjoyed at casinos shifted from predominantly blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and video poker to online slots and crash games, but those that are most prevalent in these newer favourites are also on the move.
Early online slots focused on fruit machine symbols, which included classic slot elements such as 7s, Bars, and Bells. As the casino software developers expanded their skill sets, a dominant theme became Egypt. The theme was able to blend in several broader ideas, such as wealth, ancient civilisations, horror (thanks to mummies), and mythology (with the introduction of Anubis, Horus, and other Egyptian deities).
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, while developers like Endorphina, Games Global, Reevo Tech, Playtech and EvoPlay, tested everything from games based on anime, video games, celebrity ambassadors, and other branded IPs to find the next big gambling theme, fishing games crept their way into the hearts of players, winning them over hook, line and sinker.
One of the biggest names in this burgeoning fishing-themed niche is undoubtedly Pragmatic Play. Load up your favourite online casino, head over to the games tab, and check the number of titles per provider. They will always top the list- no other studio comes close.
If you’re not wholly convinced that fishing is a major part of the Pragmatic Play game plan, consider this: the company released 11 new fishing-related video slots in 2024 and another 2 by April 2025. These titles are even showcased in their popular Drops and Wins tournaments, where players get to spin for their share of massive prize pools.
The Big Bass IP is their crown jewel. Since the release of the original Big Bass Bonanza online slot in December 2020, they have gone on to grow their suite of Big Bass-branded slots to an astounding 22 games. This includes the newly released Big Bass Bonanza 1000 slot, which offers high-volatility gameplay across 10 fixed paylines and a chance to win up to 20,000 times their bet.
The fun doesn’t end there; the developer has already announced that June 9th will be the release date for its new combat sport-themed game, Big Bass Boxing Bonus Round.
Far from being a one-trick pony, Pragmatic Play offers its fans a wide variety of gambling entertainment. With their penchant for delving into new tech, they have released several Crash games, including Big Bass Crash. Rather than waiting for a spacecraft to crash land, here you use a net to collect fish from the safety of your trawler. Don’t wait too long, or the net will tear and you’ll lose your bounty.
The only thing we’re waiting for at this point is for Pragmatic Play to round out their roster of fishing-themed gambling games with the addition of a fly fishing Virtual Sports title.
TaDa Gaming is another provider that has wholeheartedly embraced that fishing life. However, they have taken things a step further. They did not simply create slots or crash games with fishing symbols and cleverly integrate bonus features; instead, they created an entirely new genre of games: fishing-shooting.
These unusual gambling games fall into the broader Casual or Arcade game basket, but feature such unique betting options and bonus rounds that it soon became clear they need to stand alone when being discussed.
When playing a fishing-shooting game like Ocean King Jackpot, there are no paylines, no free spins, or symbols to collect. Instead, you choose which fish to shoot in an experience more reminiscent of a video game than a slot machine. These fish have various reward tiers, and some come with special features which slow down your targets, do massive damage, or unlock high-value boss fights.
We compiled a beginner's guide to fishing-shooting games to help you get to grips with playing this new type of casino game while managing your time and budget.
With the proven popularity of the vertical, other providers have jumped on the bandwagon and produced some truly entertaining fishing games of their own. From our research into the topic, here are 5 slots we recommend taking for a spin:
If you want to jump into the deep end and discover your own fishing or adjacent outdoor activity-themed games to play, visit our complete casino game directory for access to more than 25,000 rated and reviewed titles. Many have demo versions, allowing you to play them risk-free.
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