The game received mixed reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[2] Anthony Chau of IGN wrote, "Reel Fishing Wild is a pretty decent fishing game that, unlike SEGA's fishing game, doesn't capture the exciting elements of fishing, but the whole fishing experience overall. That's a nice goal, but the game doesn't accomplish this with average visuals, plain play mechanics, and music that will send you to bed."[5] Eric Bratcher of NextGen wrote, "At full price, we'd throw this one back, but Reel Fishing actually feels a lot like real fishing. For $20, it's definitely a keeper."[6] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 27 out of 40.[4]
