5 Best Open-World Games To Go Fishing, Ranked

Among the many things that are possible when playing open-world games, there's hunting and fishing, which add another layer of complexity to any game, especially if there's resource gathering and management involved. Players can use what they catch and either eat it or sell it to make some money and buy other things they might need.

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While some open-world games have clunky fishing game mechanics or the surrounding concept is simply uninteresting, others build on it, delivering an entertaining experience that players keep coming back to. Here are some of the best open-world games to go fishing.

5 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A Varied, Simple Fishing Experience

• Fish change with the seasons, giving the game a lot of variety
• A relaxing experience, ideal after a stressful day

Animal Crossing: New Horizons offers an in-depth look into a peaceful island where fishing, along with other activities, has a central role in the lives of its inhabitants. Players can fish in different areas, including lakes, ponds, and even the ocean, using a simplistic rod mechanic that feels great and isn't hard to get the hang of. The variety of fish that are available to catch is also quite decent, and it changes depending on the weather, the time of year, and the time of day—just like it would happen in real life.

The game has an overall relaxing atmosphere that lets players kick their feet up and have a good time without having to worry about learning complex game mechanics or undergoing the stress or frustration that other games can cause.

4 Stardew Valley

A Relaxing Fishing Experience With A Beautiful Pixel Art Design

• Fishing requires timing and skill
• Players can either sell what they catch for profit, or eat it

With a heavy focus on farming and robust fishing game mechanics, Stardew Valley offers a fun experience for anyone who wants to play it. Similar to Animal Crossing: New Horizons, this game features fishing in several different bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. The game also has fish variety that changes monthly depending on the season; however, it feels different enough that it doesn't feel like a copy of Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

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Fishing requires skill and the right timing, so failing on either one will result in a day with no catches. Once players hone their skills and become master fishermen, they can sell their catches of the day for profit or cook them for nourishment. Stardew Valley features a beautiful take on pixel art that fits well with the wholesome, relaxing atmosphere around it.

3 Assassin's Creed Valhalla

Fishing Like A Viking Was Never More Fun

• Players can use the fish they catch to upgrade their equipment, make money, and plan feasts
• Eivor can fish in lakes, rivers, and fjords

Assassin's Creed Valhalla is not only great for keeping the famous Assassin's Creed franchise alive and presenting players with a new installment in the epic Viking era, but also because of its neat game mechanics, story, and, of course, fishing. While some people might think that there's no way fish can live in such cold weather, there are, in fact, many species that Eivor can catch in the rivers, lakes, and coastal areas around Norway.

Fishing is not something Eivor does just for leisure, but rather to progress through the game, as anything they catch can be used to trade for upgrades, prepare feasts and even sold for silver. It's important to remember that back in those times, trading was a key element to any settlement's economy, so being a fisherman was a great way to earn daily bread. While Assassin's Creed Valhalla isn't as relaxing or family-friendly as the previous two entries on the list, it still offers a great fishing experience.

2 Far Cry 5

Various Fishing Side Quests And Rewards

• The game features legendary fish which can be caught and exchanged for special rewards
• Several fishing challenges and side quests

Set in the fictional Hope County in Montana, Far Cry 5 offers players the opportunity to have a taste of what country life looks like in the rural areas of the US. Fishing takes a significant role in the game, and players can use rods, reels and different lures to catch a wide variety of fish in rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water. Far Cry 5 kicks things up a notch by implementing fishing challenges that are required to complete certain side quests and earn money, so fishing is no longer just about eating or relaxing.

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The game also features legendary fish, which can be hunted and caught for special rewards that players will not want to miss out on. While Far Cry 5's main focus isn't fishing, but rather firearm combat, stealth and survival, this game mechanic can provide players with a nice breather when they feel like they need to touch grass and spend a little while relaxing near their favorite river.

1 Red Dead Redemption 2

One Of The Most Complete Fishing Experiences In Gaming

• Fish behavior is very realistic
• Players can catch legendary fish; however, it's not easy

When it comes to tracking and hunting down wild animals or fishing for massive swimming creatures, few games do it as well as Red Dead Redemption 2. Not only does this title feature one of the most complete hunting game mechanics in gaming thus far, but it also rewards players with different outfit possibilities and sizable payments if they choose to sell what they hunted/caught.

Players can sit near lakes, rivers and ponds while using different baits and lures to try to catch all sorts of fish varieties. Similar to Far Cry 5, this title also features legendary animals, including legendary fish that Arthur can catch, which is very fun, but also quite difficult. The overall fishing mechanics of the game feel very realistic, as the fish behave like real-life fish would, pulling away from the coast in an effort to escape.

Fun fact: one of the most wholesome missions of the game involves fishing, as Arthur Morgan teaches Jack Marston, a young child, how to fish while his father is away.

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