9 Best Underwater Fishing Cameras in 2024 (Complete Guide)

An underwater fishing camera is the latest must-have gadget if you like reeling in a big one. It gives you a fish-eye view of the underwater world below. And an underwater camera increases your chances of catching a record-breaking number of fish.

The Moocor underwater fishing camera is the best option for anglers right now. It has a bright LCD monitor that gives you a detailed underwater view. It shoots underwater photos and videos. And the camera has a ring of infrared LED lights for aquatic illumination. This is why it’s the best underwater fishing camera.

What Is the Best Underwater Fishing Camera?

An underwater fishing camera is a camera that allows you to see beneath the surface of the water. The camera is submerged underwater. And you have a monitor to view the underwater scene.

Some fishing cameras attach to a fishing float or weight. Others can be submerged on their own to view a unique underwater world.

Fishing is an unpredictable sport. You never know how a day by the water turns out. Sometimes you head home with a cooler full of fish. And other times, you leave without so much as a bite.

No catch for the day can be a disheartening situation. But it’s something an underwater fishing camera can help you resolve.

An underwater fishing camera gives you a fish-eye view of the water. It lets you assess your options and make more rewarding decisions. Not all fishing cameras have Live View recording. But watching underwater footage can give you vital information for your next cast.

The table below gives you a rundown of the best underwater fishing cameras. The section after looks at all the fishing cameras in more detail. We also have a buyer’s guide at the end to help you find the best underwater camera.

9 Best Underwater Fishing Cameras

Now we take you through our top picks for the best underwater fishing camera. We have underwater cameras for all types of anglers.

Whether you’re fishing on lakes, rivers, or the open ocean, we have the right underwater camera for you. And we haven’t forgotten about ice-fishing fans, either. (Read our article on taking better ocean photos.)

Skip to the buyer’s guide at the end if you need to know what to look for in the best underwater fishing camera. If you’re looking for the best underwater photography cameras, click the link. And if you want to see life through a fish’s eye, check out our list of the best fish-eye lenses. 

The Moocor underwater fishing camera is one of the best underwater cameras you can get for fishing. It’s made for lakes and rivers, so you’ll need to go elsewhere for deep-sea fishing cameras. But it’s the ideal option for amateur and experienced anglers. It’s a quality product and good value for money.

The LCD screen is bright and gives you a true-to-life image of the underwater environment. There’s a sun visor if you’re fishing in the summer sun. And the LCD screen is backlit. So you can use it for night fishing. (Read out article on nighttime photo settings.)

The camera uses a high-quality CMOS sensor. Its low-light performance is excellent, giving you clear images in darker waters. And it’s fitted with infrared lights for extra illumination. Plus, it has three brightness settings. So you can fish in all lighting conditions.

Live underwater viewing is the main function of the Moocor underwater fishing camera. But you can also record videos and take photographs. The monitor has a built-in 16 GB memory card. And you can browse the library and remove media if necessary. Using a USB cable, you can also transfer pics and videos to other devices.

The Moocor underwater fishing camera is a must-have in your fishing gear. It allows you to find fish down to depths of 50 ft (15 m). And it works well in most fishing conditions. The cable is strong and gives you excellent control of the camera.

The Eyoyo underwater fishing camera is perfect for anglers who like to “go deep.” It can take you to a depth of 164 ft (50 m), where you can see fish in their natural environment. And you can pick out the ones you want to catch.

This fishing camera is housed in a hard case to protect your gear. It’s strong and durable. (See our list of the best camera hard cases if you’re in the market for one.)

It’s an underwater camera for deep lakes and open seas and gives a unique underwater experience. But it’s better suited to fishing from a boat. And it won’t fit in a kayak. 

You have a seven-inch screen for viewing your prey. We were hoping for a higher resolution from a screen this size. But the image quality is still excellent, with fantastic performance at deeper levels.

The Eyoyo fishing camera doesn’t only deliver in bright environments. It has 12 infrared LED lights to give the camera the necessary illumination. You can film in dark coves, deep seas, and murky waters. And it’s even bright enough for night fishing in deep waters.

The long battery life is another reason this is one of the best underwater fishing cameras. You can use the camera in Live View for up to eight hours. That means you can stay at sea all day. You only need to head to shore when the boat’s full of fish!

The Aqua-Vu AV 715C is a serious underwater camera viewing system. The camera gives you excellent Live View footage from the water. And you can see every movement on the seven-inch screen.

The camera is waterproof down to 50 ft (15 m). And the camera is attached to a strong 50 ft cable. So it’s ideal for freshwater fishing trips on a boat.

This option from Aqua-Vu is equipped with infrared lights. So you can see in the darkest waters. Plus, it makes ice fishing a lot easier. It’s a bigger unit and less portable than other cameras. But it comes with a five-gallon bag for easy transportation.

The Aqua-Vu Micro Stealth Underwater Camera is a fantastic gadget for anglers. It works well in different water conditions and is easy to use. It’s the perfect entry into the world of underwater fishing cameras.

You have a 4.3-inch (10.9 cm) screen that’s bright and detailed. The resolution could be higher. But the quality of the camera helps give you a clear image on the monitor. It’s similar in size to a smartphone, so it fits in your hand nicely.

This full-color micro camera gives you a fantastic underwater Live View. You can see beneath the surface. So you can assess your options and stalk your prey.

The connecting cable is 50 ft (15 m) in length. But the camera is waterproof beyond that depth. So it’s ideal for big rivers and lakes.

The underwater camera also has infrared lights around the lens. They illuminate the water around the camera to help spot your next prize catch. The lights make it easier to fish in cloudy water. So your success rate is sure to increase.

Plus, the six-hour battery life also means you won’t have to pack up early. And it’s a great option for ice fishing.

The Aqua-Vu camera has a unique fin and clip system for ice and open-water fishing. It gives you control of the submerged camera. And you can adjust it for upward or downward viewing. So it’s perfect for trolling. You’ll find your fish in no time!

The Anysun underwater fishing camera is another fantastic option for all anglers. It improves your fishing experience. And we have no doubt you’ll be heading home with a cooler full of fish.

With a bright camera and monitor, it lets you see what’s happening beneath the surface. And it’s good value for your money!

The LCD monitor is bright and detailed. The view is fantastic, with true-to-life colors. And there’s a sun visor. So you don’t have to suffer glare when fishing in the sunshine.

It’s lightweight and portable. And you can attach the monitor to your fishing rod for easy viewing.

The Anysyn camera is suitable for many fishing styles. And the eight infrared LED lights mean you can fish anywhere and at any time of day. You can adjust light intensity to suit the situation. So you can view the natural behavior of fish at night.

The 50 ft (15 m) cable is tough and durable. It can handle the pressure of fast-flowing rivers and strong fish. And it has anti-freezing technology, making it one of the best underwater cameras for ice fishing.

Lastly, the five-hour battery life is good and reliable. Most won’t need to leave the water before they’re ready.

The MINGBOSKY camera is another brilliant option if you want an underwater camera for deeper waters. It’s the perfect setup for deep-sea fishing from a boat. And it’s another fantastic underwater camera for ice fishing.

The 9-inch (22.8 cm) LCD screen gives you an outstanding view below the waves. It’s bright with vibrant colors.

And you get a stunning 1920 x 1080p screen resolution. That’s Full HD quality for incredible underwater detail. If that doesn’t help you catch fish, I don’t know what will.

The camera quality is excellent. And it’s waterproof down to 164 ft (50 m). So depth is no issue. And it’s armed with 24 infrared LED lights. It’s more than enough for deep-sea fishing. And you can continue fishing into the night.

You won’t have to head home to charge the battery. The camera has a healthy battery life of eight hours from a full charge. But this fish finder is heavy at 5.88 lb (2.67 kg). So it’s best used with a big, sturdy boat for this MINGBOSKY underwater fishing camera.

If you’re looking for something compact and portable, this DVR fishing camera from LUCKY might be the one. The monitor is compact. And you can use it handheld or attach it to your rod for easy viewing.

The screen resolution isn’t great. But it gives you a good underwater view. And its LED lights also help in dark waters.

The LUCKY DVR camera gives you a Live View. But you can also record videos. The monitor unit has 16 GB of memory for file storage. And you can view videos back on the monitor before sharing them on other devices.

You get a full four hours of battery life. And it gives you an excellent fishing experience if the water is clear.

The Chasing Dory underwater drone isn’t exactly a fishing camera. But the underwater drone can be used as a fish finder. It syncs to your smartphone with the Chasing GO2 mobile app. And the smartphone becomes a monitor and remote control.

You can also record videos and live stream fantastic fish footage. (You can check out our full list of the best streaming cameras.)

It’s a high-resolution camera. And the video quality is excellent at 1080p Full HD. You can dive to depths of 50 ft (15 m) for dramatic underwater viewing. Live stream quality is only 720p. But it still looks fabulous on a smartphone.

Finally, Chasing Dory‘s battery life is only one hour. So it may be enough for a lot of anglers.

This “smart fish finder” from XiLiHaLa is fantastic fun. And it helps you both catch fish and view the marine world. You can record videos, view live pictures, and use the camera for underwater live streaming. So it’s perfect for anglers on social media.

You sync the camera to your smartphone using the mobile app. And your phone becomes the camera monitor for live viewing.

The video quality is 1080p, which is Full HD. So it looks professional on a smartphone screen. The camera also gives you a 180-degree wide-angle view. So you won’t miss a fish!

It’s waterproof down to 164 ft (50 m). And the battery life gives you eight hours of underwater fun. The XiLiHaLa camera is cold-resistant and won’t freeze in icy water. So it is a good option for fishing under frozen water. And it can cope with open waters in colder climates. 

Buyer’s Guide for the Best Underwater Fishing Camera

Finding the best underwater camera isn’t easy. Using an underwater fishing camera is unlike any other type of wildlife photography. There are many elements to consider. And different features are better suited to certain types of fishing.

The best underwater fishing camera must meet your angling needs. And it should give you the advantages you want when you’re at your favorite fishing spot.

We’ve highlighted some of the key features of the best underwater fishing cameras. We’ll give you the camera data and specs to look for. This info will help you decide on the best fishing camera to buy. And it’ll lead to more fish in your bucket!

What Video Quality and Frame Rate Do I Need?

Video quality is one of the most important specs for a fishing camera. The quality of the video is measured by pixel resolution. And this detail gives you an idea of the quality of footage you can expect from the underwater camera.

A resolution of 1080p is Full HD video quality. This is ideal for underwater fishing cameras. And if you can get 2160p (4K), that’s even better. Lower resolutions can still work well. But you want a high-quality resolution to give you a better view underwater with poor visibility.

The frame rate is the shooting speed of the video. It gives you an idea of how smooth the video will be. A 30 fps frame rate gives you smooth real-time footage. Anything less might lag. If you find 60 fps, you’ll have super-smooth underwater video.

What Monitor Resolution Should a Fishing Camera Have?

The monitor resolution determines how clear the underwater view is on your monitor. A bright monitor with a high image resolution gives you the best chance of seeing what’s beneath the surface. You have a clear view even in murkier waters.

A resolution of 800 x 480 is high definition (HD). It gives you a good view. But Full HD at 1080p is what you need to aim for with underwater cameras. A Full HD screen gives you a better chance of reeling in a monster fish.

Monitor size is another important aspect of a fishing camera setup. You want a screen big enough to display the fish in the water.

But you also want something compact and portable. Between four and seven inches is good for handheld options. But you can go for something bigger if you’re fishing on a boat.

Some underwater fishing cameras don’t have a monitor. These options need to be synced to your smartphone using a mobile app. Your smartphone then becomes the monitor. In this case, the screen size and resolution are determined by your phone.

Underwater Camera Lights

An underwater camera with built-in lights is beneficial for any angler. The deeper you go, the less light there is. And the lack of light hinders the effectiveness of your fishing camera. The built-in lights give you the illumination you need to spot fish in darker waters.

Built-in lights also help in dirty or cloudy water. And they’re essential in ice fishing. Thick ice blocks a lot of light. So your potential catch will be in the dark, just inches under the surface.

Look for an underwater camera with LED lights if you want to fish in deep waters or under the ice. Some will have bright LEDs. And others have infrared (IR) LEDs. Both work well in low-light situations.

Conclusion

The best underwater fishing camera is a game-changer for anglers. You’ll never finish a fishing trip empty-handed again. The fish will have nowhere to hide. And you’ll be taking them home to throw in the frying pan.

There are plenty of fishing cameras to choose from. And we’ve included fresh water and open ocean cameras in our list. But the Moorcor underwater fishing camera with DVR is our top choice. It gives you a high-resolution view underwater. So you can see live footage and record videos. And the LED lights illuminate the murky depths for a higher catch rate.