Item: iFishing 5
Rating: 76
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

76/100

iFishing 5 continues the series' tradition of being the most authentic fishing simulator on the App Store. It strikes a perfect balance between being a relaxing pastime and a demanding technical challenge. The variety of locations is impressive, ranging from lily-pad-filled lakes to deep-sea environments, each requiring different lures and techniques.

The 'fight' mechanic is where the game shines; you have to carefully manage line tension while moving your device to mimic the rod's movement. It’s genuinely tense when you have a trophy-sized bass on the line and you're trying not to snap the wire. The addition of a career mode and tournaments provides a needed sense of progression that was missing from earlier entries. While the UI can feel a bit dated at times, the water physics and fish AI make up for it, providing a satisfying loop for any angling fan.

Reviewed on: Thu Feb 26 2026

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. I’ve never understood the appeal of virtual fishing when you could just go outside, but I try to judge it on its merits. iFishing 5 is technically fine, but the UI is a cluttered mess of buttons and icons that break any sense of immersion. The 'reeling' mechanic is a test of patience more than skill. It’s realistic in the sense that it can be boring and tedious. The graphics are dated—water doesn't look like water, it looks like a moving texture. It’s for the hardcore fishing enthusiasts only; everyone else will fall asleep.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Large variety of fish and tackle
Boat driving mechanics are a nice touch
Solid sense of scale in the lakes

Outdated visuals
Clunky user interface
Inconsistent physics when reeling

Technical Report

Performance: Frequent load times between areas; UI scaling is poor on smaller phones.

Accessibility:

Vibration feedback for bites

Audience Fit

Buy if: You are a fishing enthusiast who wants a technical simulator on your phone.

Skip if: You want an arcade-style game or modern graphics.

Similar Games:

Fishing Clash
Ultimate Fishing Simulator
Ridiculous Fishing

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, skeptical simulator critic
Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro Max
Playtime: 4 hours
Status: Unlocked second lake

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPod

1441566400

$2.99 9+★4 3 reviews

Author : Chris Egerter

Pubish Date : Mon May 13 2019

Last Update Date : Fri Aug 16 2019

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.1Fri Aug 16 2019

-Fixed position of some UI elements
iFishing 5 is the evolution of 10 years of iFishing games on iOS. Experience a true fishing simulation with real fish and real world locations.
iFishing 5 features a brand new card collection system for unlocking new locations, upgrading your player stats and gear.
FEATURES:
- Tilt controls makes it feel like you're holding a real fishing rod
– Photorealistic backgrounds and fish, as close as the real thing as it gets!
– Upgrade your boat with faster motors and equip with a trolling motor to sneak up on fish.
- Trade money for card packs to unlock new locations and upgrade gear
– Sell your fish on the fish market to earn cash
– Compete with your friends to catch the biggest fish on leaderboards
– Take pictures of your catch and share it on social networks
For more games and apps visit www.RockingPocketGames.com
Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Stuck inside? Bring the outdoors to you!
iFishing 5 is the evolution of 10 years of iFishing games on iOS. Experience a true fishing simulation with real fish and real world locations.
iFishing 5 features a brand new card collection system for unlocking new locations, upgrading your player stats and gear.
FEATURES:
- Tilt controls makes it feel like you're holding a real fishing rod
– Photorealistic backgrounds and fish, as close as the real thing as it gets!
– Upgrade your boat with faster motors and equip with a trolling motor to sneak up on fish.
- Trade money for card packs to unlock new locations and upgrade gear
– Sell your fish on the fish market to earn cash
– Compete with your friends to catch the biggest fish on leaderboards
– Take pictures of your catch and share it on social networks
For more games and apps visit www.RockingPocketGames.com

Ratings & Reviews

4 out of 5 with 3 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

iFishing 5 is the latest installment in the world-renowned fishing series. Featuring high-definition graphics and realistic fish behavior, the game allows players to drive a boat, choose their tackle, and engage in thrilling fights with over a dozen species of fish. With 10 unlockable locations and a deep tournament mode, it offers the most comprehensive fishing experience available on iOS.

Features

10 unique fishing locations

Driveable boat for exploration

Realistic fish fighting physics

Tournament and practice modes

Tips

Selecting the Right Lure

Check the weather and time of day in-game. Topwater lures work best in the morning, while deep-diving crankbaits are essential for midday heat.

News on this game

i Fishing Saltwater Lite by Chris Egerter

Welcome to iFishing Saltwater Edition Lite, a new fishing game by Rocking Pocket Games.

AppAdvice - Wed Jul 27 2022

i Fishing Lite by Chris Egerter

Welcome to iFishing Lite, the mobile fishing simulator by Rocking Pocket Games. This is THE MOST REALISTIC AND IN-DEPTH fishing game for the iPhone.

AppAdvice - Tue Mar 27 2018

Gameplays

The Reel Fight

When a fish strikes, tilt your device to set the hook and watch the tension meter. If it hits red, let go of the reel button to avoid snapping the line.