The Ultimate Guide to the 70+ Best Fishing Movies

Reel in the Best: The 70+ Greatest Fishing Movies of All-Time

Whether the weather is too rough to get the boat out or you’re just looking to relax after a long day on the water, there is nothing like a good film to keep the spirit of the sport alive. From high-stakes professional bass tournaments to the peaceful art of fly fishing in the mountains, the world of cinema has captured our obsession with the water in countless ways.

At Wish Upon A Fish, we’ve compiled the ultimate watch list for anglers. This collection spans decades of filmmaking and is categorized into three main areas:

1. Fishing Documentaries: Masterclasses on technique, conservation, and the history of the sport.
2. Dramas & Comedies: Stories where fishing is the central theme or a major plot driver.
3. Marine Classics: Movies about fish (like Finding Nemo) or films featuring iconic fishing scenes (like the spearfishing in The Beach).

The Ultimate Fishing Movie Directory

Use this list to find your next favorite film. Whether you want a laugh or a technical deep dive, there is something here for every type of angler.

Note: For the full list of 70+ titles including specific technical volumes on crankbaits, jigs, and topwater, see our interactive table below.

My Personal Top 3 Recommendations

If you only have time for a few, these are the three I believe every fisherman should see at least once.

1. Bait Shop

This is my absolute favorite. It’s a hilarious underdog story about Bill Dugan, a small-time bait shop owner on Paradise Lake. To save his shop from the bank, he has to enter a high-stakes professional bass tournament and beat the arrogant "Hot Rod" Johnson. It perfectly captures the culture and humor of the bass fishing world.

2. Gone Fishin’

If you’ve ever had a fishing trip where everything that could go wrong did, you will relate to this one. Joe and Gus head to Florida for a dream vacation but end up causing total chaos while trying to stop a thief. It’s a fun, lighthearted look at the bond between fishing buddies.

3. A River Runs Through It

On the opposite end of the spectrum, this film is a beautiful, serious drama. Set in Montana, it follows two brothers and their shared love for fly fishing. The cinematography of the rivers and the fly-casting scenes is some of the best ever filmed. It’s a poetic reminder of why we go to the water in the first place.

Why We Love These Films

Movies allow us to see the water through a different lens. Whether it’s the technical brilliance found in the Ultimate Tips & Techniques series (Volumes 1-8) or the suspense of The Meg, these stories celebrate our connection to the deep. They remind us that fishing is about more than just the catch—it's about the stories we tell afterward.