Want to catch the best fishing shows? Here's our breakdown of the TV shows about fishing that we think are reely good.
If you're an amateur angler, fishing shows can be a great way to brush up on your technique, learn something new from some true professionals or learn about the latest must-have gear from the professionals ahead of your next fishing trip.
Some of the best fishing shows offer plenty of drama and look at the harsh life that some fishermen face every day, whilst others exist purely to show off the simple pleasures that the hobby can offer; we've included a selection of both types of series below.
Whatever your reason for trying to catch a new show, here's a list of some of the best fishing shows that you can stream in 2023.
Best fishing shows — Deadliest Catch
Arguably one of the most well-known fishing shows around (even if it is technically about crabbing), Deadliest Catch is an American reality series following workers in one of the deadliest jobs in the world: Alaskan crab fishing.
The long-running series places camera crew aboard crab fishing vessels out in the Bering Sea during the Alaskan king crab and snow crab fishing seasons, documenting some of the risks and challenges that workers face every single day they're out at sea.
Number of seasons: 19
Number of episodes: 310
Average episode length: 45 minutes
Where to watch: Discovery Channel, Discovery Plus
Lunkerville
Lunkerville is TV series all about bass fishing across the US and Canada and promises "real people with real fish stories". Instead of featuring a dedicated expert as a primary host, Lunkerville instead places importance on the everyday citizen.
Each episode sees the show's creator and host Michael de Avila (referred to as "Mike D" in the show) traveling across the country to meet with local fishing enthusiasts and experts in order to learn their secrets. Over the last 17 years, Mike has learned from anglers of all ages and from all walks of life.
Lunkerville was created in 2004, and has been on the air; across its run, the show has received five Sportsman Channel Awards.
Number of seasons: 15
Number of episodes: 197
Average episode length: 30 minutes
Where to watch: Discovery Channel, World Fishing Network, Prime Video (select seasons)
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing
If you just want to set off on a gentle adventure, settle down to watch Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. This BBC show sees actors and life-long friends Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse traveling all across the British Isles and exploring the riverbanks of Britain.
Paul Whitehouse puts his extensive fishing knowledge into practice as he leads the duo in pursuit of key species of fish across the country. In exchange, Bob Mortimer hunts down places to stay and creates heart-healthy meals for the pair to enjoy.
The slow pace and warm friendship the duo share ensure that every episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is as entertaining as the last. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing has been renewed for two further series.
Number of seasons: 5
Number of episodes: 33 (including several Christmas specials)
Average episode length: 30 minutes
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer (UK)
Wicked Tuna
Wicked Tuna is another American reality series that follows groups of commercial fishermen, but these fearless anglers are based at America’s oldest seaport in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
These anglers aren’t just after any small fry, though. They’re on the hunt for the lucrative Atlantic bluefin tuna fish in the North Atlantic Ocean, which can each weigh more than 500 pounds!
The commercial anglers work by hand, casting their lines into the open ocean in pursuit of the bluefin tuna. If they’re lucky, they can wrestle a big one up from the depths, which could be worth a huge amount of money.
If you enjoy Wicked Tuna, there’s also a spin-off called Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, filmed off the coast of the Outer Banks in North Carolina, which has featured several fishing vessels from the original show.
Number of seasons: 12
Number of episodes: 170
Average episode length: 47 mins
Where to watch: Disney Plus, (US)
Bill Dance Outdoors
Bill Dance Outdoors is the oldest, longest-running national American fishing show. For over 40 years, former professional angler Bill Dance has hosted this educational program that focuses on sharing all sorts of recreational fishing techniques.
It began as a local program on an ABC affiliate in Memphis, Tennessee, back in 1968 and has only grown in popularity since. Lots of episodes focus on black bass fishing techniques, but Bill has also shared tips and tricks for reeling in channel catfish, bluegill, and crappie.
Over the years, the show has even featured celebrity appearances by musicians like Mel Tillis, Hank Williams Jr., and Jerry Reed Hubbard.
Bill also hosts Bill Dance Saltwater, which sees the legendary fishermen partnering up with other saltwater experts to try and reel in a different target species each week.
Number of episodes: 900
Average episode length: 30 minutes
Where to watch: The Outdoor Channel
Monster Carp
Monster Carp is fairly self-explanatory; it's a series about trying to track down monster carp. In it, we follow a team of fishing fanatics (Ali Hamidi, Tom Dove, and Neil Spooner, though Hamidi departed at the end of season 6) as they travel the world to try and track down some seriously big catches.
Over the years, they've visited everywhere from Japan, Hungary, Austria, Croatia, South Africa and beyond. Similar to Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, Monster Carp is as much about going along for the journey and taking in the laughs as it is about the fishing, making it something you can stick on whether you're a veteran angler or someone whose never picked up a rod before. A new series is scheduled to hit screens in July 2023.
Number of seasons: 7
Number of episodes: 28
Average episode length: 45-60 minutes
Where to watch: ITVX (UK)
River Monsters
River Monsters followed British extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade as he traveled the globe on the hunt for the most fearsome fresh and saltwater fish around.
Along the way, Jeremy would pick up clues and meet with eyewitnesses and people who have previously encountered or even been attacked by some of the fish that he’s chased down.
Jeremy then heads out in search of the fish and attempts to catch the biggest living specimen he can, using whatever technique is best. Over the years, he’s caught huge catfish, sharks, stingrays, piranha, and plenty of giant fish!
After the series ended, Jeremy went on to host Mysteries of the Deep, Jeremy Wade’s Mighty Rivers, and Jeremy Wade’s Dark Waters, so there are loads more shows to watch once you've waded through all every episode of River Monsters.
Number of seasons: 10
Number of episodes: 89 (including specials)
Average episode length: 45-60 minutes
Where to watch: ITVX (UK), Animal Planet (US)
