Barbarian Fishing Training in OSRS: The Ultimate Guide to Leveling Up

If you’re looking to level up your Fishing skill in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) while also gaining some Agility and Strength experience, Barbarian Fishing is one of the best methods out there. This unique training technique, rooted in the lore of the Barbarians, offers a multi-skill approach that’s both efficient and engaging. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Barbarian Fishing training in OSRS, from requirements and gear to experience rates and pro tips. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player aiming for 99 Fishing, this blog post has you covered!

Barbarian Fishing is a special method introduced as part of the Barbarian Training miniquest in OSRS. Unlike traditional fishing, it allows players to catch leaping fish using a heavy rod or even their bare hands, offering a blend of Fishing, Agility, and Strength experience. This makes it a standout choice for players who want to train multiple skills simultaneously without the monotony of single-skill grinding.

How to Unlock Barbarian Fishing

To start Barbarian Fishing, you’ll need to complete a portion of the Barbarian Training miniquest. Here’s how to unlock it:

Location: Head to Otto Godblessed’s Grotto, located south of the Barbarian Outpost near Baxtorian Falls.
Requirements: Minimum of 48 Fishing, 15 Agility, and 15 Strength (though higher levels unlock better fish).
Steps: Speak to Otto, ask about fishing methods, and retrieve a barbarian rod from under his bed for heavy rod fishing. For barehanded fishing, inquire about harpoon techniques.

Once unlocked, you can begin fishing at the nearby lake or other designated spots, making it a convenient and rewarding training method.

Why Choose Barbarian Fishing?

Barbarian Fishing stands out for several reasons:

Multi-Skill Gains: Earn Fishing XP alongside passive Agility and Strength XP.
Efficiency: One of the fastest Fishing training methods, especially with tick manipulation.
Low Effort Option: Offers decent rates even without intense focus, perfect for semi-AFK training.

It’s particularly popular among Ironmen and players with lower Agility or Strength levels who want a head start on these skills.

Requirements and Gear for Barbarian Fishing

Before you dive into Barbarian Fishing, you’ll need to meet some prerequisites and gather the right equipment. Let’s break it down.

Skill Requirements

The skill levels required depend on the type of fish you’re targeting:

Fish	Fishing Level	Agility Level	Strength Level
Leaping Trout	48	15	15
Leaping Salmon	58	30	30
Leaping Sturgeon	70	45	45

For barehanded fishing (tuna, swordfish, sharks), you’ll need 55 Fishing and 35 Strength, with higher levels required for bigger fish.

Essential Gear

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Barbarian Rod: Obtained from under Otto’s bed after speaking to him.
Bait: Feathers, fishing bait, fish offcuts, roe, or caviar (feathers are cheapest and most accessible).
Knife: Optional, for gutting fish to obtain roe/caviar or offcuts.
Games Necklace: For quick teleports to the Barbarian Outpost.

For tick manipulation (more on this later), bring items like herbs and swamp tar or a knife with teak/mahogany logs.

How to Train with Barbarian Fishing

Now that you’re equipped, let’s explore the training process. Barbarian Fishing offers two main techniques: heavy rod fishing and barehanded fishing. We’ll focus primarily on heavy rod fishing, as it’s the most popular for leveling Fishing.

Heavy Rod Fishing at Baxtorian Falls

The best spot for heavy rod fishing is the pond next to Otto’s Grotto. Here’s how to do it:

Teleport to the Barbarian Outpost using a Games Necklace and run south to the lake.
Use your barbarian rod with bait on the fishing spots.
Catch leaping trout, salmon, or sturgeon based on your levels.
Drop the fish (shift-drop for speed) to maximize XP rates, or gut them for Cooking XP and bait.

Dropping fish is key for efficiency, as banking is too time-consuming given the distance to the nearest bank.

Barehanded Fishing Option

For a change of pace, try barehanded fishing:

Location: Catherby beach or Fishing Guild (68 Fishing required).
Process: Fish tuna, swordfish, or sharks without a harpoon, using your Strength level as a prerequisite.
XP Rates: Slower than heavy rod fishing but offers bonus Strength XP.

This method is less common for pure Fishing training but adds variety if you’re targeting Strength gains.

Experience Rates and Leveling Guide

Barbarian Fishing shines when it comes to XP rates, especially if you optimize your approach. Let’s look at what you can expect and how to plan your journey to 99.

XP Rates by Level

Here’s a breakdown of approximate Fishing XP per hour with heavy rod fishing:

Level 48-58 (Leaping Trout): 30,000–40,000 XP/hour.
Level 58-70 (Leaping Salmon): 40,000–50,000 XP/hour.
Level 70-99 (Leaping Sturgeon): 50,000–60,000 XP/hour (up to 110,000 with 3-tick manipulation).

You’ll also gain roughly 1/10th of your Fishing XP in Agility and Strength, totaling about 1.3 million XP in each by level 99 Fishing.

3-Tick Fishing for Max Efficiency

To push XP rates even higher, use the 3-tick fishing method:

Start a 3-tick action (e.g., use an herb on swamp tar or cut a log).
Click the fishing spot immediately after.
Drop fish between catches using shift-drop.
Repeat the cycle every 3 game ticks.

This technique can boost rates to 90,000–110,000 XP/hour at higher levels, making it the fastest Fishing training method in OSRS.

Leveling Roadmap

Here’s a suggested path to 99 Fishing with Barbarian Fishing:

Levels 1-48: Quest (e.g., Sea Slug to 24) and fly fish trout/salmon in Barbarian Village.
Levels 48-58: Start Barbarian Fishing with leaping trout.
Levels 58-70: Switch to leaping salmon for better rates.
Levels 70-99: Catch leaping sturgeon, incorporating 3-tick fishing if possible.

Total time to 99 varies: around 120 hours with 3-tick, or 200+ hours without.

Tips and Tricks for Barbarian Fishing Success

To make the most of your Barbarian Fishing training, consider these expert tips.

Optimize Your Inventory

Keep your inventory lean for maximum efficiency:

Bring 1,000–2,000 feathers to avoid frequent resupply trips.
Use shift-drop (enable in settings) to quickly clear fish.
Avoid banking unless you need roe/caviar for Herblore.

Boost Your XP

Enhance your gains with these boosts:

Angler’s Outfit: Earned from Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing, adds 2.5% XP bonus.
Spirit Flakes: 50% chance of double fish (no extra XP), stretching your bait supply.
Rada’s Blessing: 2–8% extra catch chance from Kourend tasks.

Alternative Spots and Considerations

While Otto’s Grotto is ideal, Mount Quidamortem offers a less active option with a fish barrel and nearby bank at Chambers of Xeric. It’s great for players who prefer banking over dropping, though XP rates are slightly lower.

Barbarian Fishing isn’t profitable (fish are typically dropped), so focus on XP goals rather than gold. If you need cash, consider switching to methods like monkfish or minnows later on.

Conclusion: Master Barbarian Fishing in OSRS

Barbarian Fishing is a powerhouse training method in OSRS, blending Fishing, Agility, and Strength into one efficient package. Whether you’re casually fishing leaping trout or mastering 3-tick sturgeon catches, this guide equips you with the knowledge to hit 99 Fishing and beyond. Start at Otto’s Grotto, grab your barbarian rod, and enjoy the journey—your Fishing Skillcape awaits!

Have you tried Barbarian Fishing yet? Share your experiences or ask questions in the comments below!