Circle the Fish is a colorful, arcade-style fishing game that takes the classic 'io' mechanic and applies it to a relaxing ocean setting. You control a boat with a net, and your goal is to draw circles around schools of fish to catch them. As an expert in arcade games, I found the movement to be smooth and the 'risk versus reward' of trying to circle a massive area versus a small one to be well-balanced.
The game is visually very bright and cheerful, which makes it a great choice for kids or casual players. The progression is simple—catch fish to sell for money, then use that money to upgrade your boat's speed and net size. It’s not a deep game, but it nails that 'one more go' feeling as you try to unlock the legendary giant sea creatures that appear in deeper waters. It’s a perfect mobile distraction.
I’ll give it this: circling the fish with the net is actually quite satisfying for about ten minutes. But let’s be honest, this isn't a game; it's an ad-delivery platform. You spend more time watching thirty-second clips for laundry detergent than you do actually playing. For a gamer who remembers when you bought a game and actually owned it, this trend of 'forced connectivity' and 'forced ads' is exhausting. Even if you pay to remove them, the game runs out of content before you’ve even had your coffee. Level 29 is a brick wall with no updates in sight. The balancing is also a mess—upgraded farms can't keep up with factories, and drones stop working in new zones. It’s sloppy work that relies on a dopamine loop rather than actual design quality.
Performance: Occasional stuttering when many fish are on screen; requires internet to even boot.
Buy if: You need something to do with your hands for five minutes and have an infinite data plan for ads.
Skip if: You value your time and despise constant interruptions.
Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod
Version 0.6.8Sat Feb 17 2024
Minor improvements
Catch fish by surrounding them with a net behind your boat! Catch as many fish as possible. Sell it and improve your performance. Upgrade your locations and get new skins. Be the best fisherman!
Requires iOS 12.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.Catch fish by surrounding them with a net behind your boat! Catch as many fish as possible. Sell it and improve your performance. Upgrade your locations and get new skins. Be the best fisherman!









Circle the Fish is a fast-paced fishing game where your drawing skills are the key to success. Navigate your boat through sparkling blue waters and deploy your net to trap as many fish as possible. The bigger the circle you draw, the more fish you catch, but be careful—if a fish hits your line before the circle is complete, you'll lose the net! Explore different ocean zones, from coral reefs to the deep abyss, and collect over 100 species of fish to fill your aquarium and earn coins for upgrades.
Simple one-finger controls
Over 100 fish species to collect
Satisfying drawing mechanics
Vibrant 3D graphics
Wait for the fish to bunch together in the center of the screen. Instead of following individual fish, aim for the 'sweet spot' where the most schools overlap. A single large circle is worth much more than three small ones.
Focus on upgrading your 'Net Length' first. This allows you to circle larger areas safely. Once your net is long enough, invest in 'Depth' to unlock new zones where the fish are worth five times more than the surface variants.
Yes, some predators will try to break your net! You'll need to circle them quickly or avoid them until your boat is upgraded.