Minnows OSRS XP Per Hour: Maximize Your Fishing Gains

Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a classic skill that offers both relaxation and rewards. Among the various methods available, fishing minnows stands out as a unique and profitable option, especially for players aiming to level up quickly while earning some gold. In this guide, we’ll dive into the XP per hour you can expect from fishing minnows, how to optimize your setup, and why this method is worth considering. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, this blog post will help you make the most of your time on the Fishing Platform.

Minnows are small fish introduced to OSRS as part of the Fishing Trawler minigame rework. Unlike traditional fishing spots, minnows are caught on the Fishing Platform, a special area accessible only to members who have completed specific requirements. These tiny fish are unique because they can be exchanged for raw sharks, making them a dual-purpose resource for XP and profit.

How to Access the Fishing Platform

To start fishing minnows, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites:

• Level 82 Fishing: This is the minimum requirement to catch minnows.
• Completion of Fishing Contest: This quest unlocks access to the Fishing Platform via the Angler’s Outfit teleport or by traveling through the Deep Sea Fishing Hub.
• Membership: Minnows are exclusive to OSRS members.

Once you’ve met these conditions, head to the Fishing Platform, located in the Deep Sea Fishing Hub, and get ready to cast your net.

Why Choose Minnows Over Other Fish?

Minnows offer a blend of decent XP rates and profitability, setting them apart from other fishing methods like monkfish or anglerfish. While they don’t provide the highest XP per hour in the game, their exchangeability for raw sharks makes them a compelling choice for players looking to fund their adventures while training.

Minnows XP Per Hour: Breaking Down the Numbers

The XP you gain from fishing minnows depends on your Fishing level, attention to the activity, and how efficiently you manage your inventory. Let’s explore the XP rates you can expect and how they scale with your level.

XP Rates by Fishing Level

Here’s a breakdown of the approximate XP per hour for minnows based on your Fishing level:

Fishing Level	XP Per Hour	Minnows Caught Per Hour
82-85	40,000 – 45,000	~400-450
86-90	45,000 – 50,000	~450-500
91-95	50,000 – 55,000	~500-550
96-99	55,000 – 60,000	~550-600

These rates assume you’re actively fishing without significant interruptions. At higher levels, the catch rate increases slightly, boosting your XP per hour.

Factors Affecting XP Rates

Several variables can influence your minnow fishing efficiency:

• Attention Level: Minnow spots move frequently, requiring you to switch spots every 10-20 seconds. Staying focused maximizes your catch rate.
• Inventory Management: With only 28 inventory slots, you’ll need to exchange minnows for sharks or drop them periodically, which can slow you down.
• Boosts: Using items like the Rada’s Blessing (from Kourend Diaries) can slightly increase your catch rate, pushing XP higher.

How to Optimize Your Minnow Fishing Setup

To get the most XP per hour from minnows, you’ll need the right gear, strategy, and mindset. Here’s how to set yourself up for success.

Recommended Gear and Inventory

Your setup doesn’t require much, but a few items can make a big difference:

• Small Fishing Net: Essential for catching minnows (provided on the platform if you forget one).
• Angler’s Outfit: Boosts Fishing XP by up to 2.5% when wearing the full set.
• Spirit Flakes: Increases your chance of catching extra fish, slightly improving XP and profit.
• Rada’s Blessing: Adds a small chance of catching double minnows.

Bring minimal inventory—ideally just your net and boosts—to maximize space for minnows.

Best Strategy for Efficiency

Fishing minnows is semi-AFK, but staying proactive pays off. Follow these steps:

1. Start at a minnow spot and fish until it moves.
2. Quickly switch to the next available spot (they shift every 10-20 seconds).
3. Exchange minnows for raw sharks at the nearby NPC when your inventory fills (40 minnows = 1 raw shark).
4. Bank or drop the sharks depending on your goal—XP or profit.

Keeping up with spot changes is key to maintaining high XP rates.

Profit Potential of Fishing Minnows

Beyond XP, minnows offer a solid gold-making opportunity thanks to their exchange rate for raw sharks. Let’s look at how this translates to profit.

Minnows to Sharks Conversion

You trade 40 minnows for 1 raw shark at the Fishing Platform NPC. With raw sharks typically valued at 500-600 GP each (as of April 2025), here’s a rough profit estimate:

• 500 minnows/hour at level 90: ~12.5 raw sharks.
• Profit: 12.5 x 550 GP = ~6,875 GP/hour.

This isn’t a get-rich-quick method, but it’s a nice bonus alongside the XP gains.

Comparing Profit to Other Methods

Compared to high-profit fishing like anglerfish (80,000+ GP/hour) or karambwans, minnows fall short in raw gold. However, their lower intensity and decent XP make them a balanced choice for players who value skill progression over pure profit.

Tips to Maximize Your Minnow Fishing Experience

Fishing minnows can be repetitive, but a few tricks can keep it enjoyable and efficient.

Boosting XP with Perks

Leverage these optional boosts to push your XP rates higher:

• Fishing Cape: At level 99, the cape provides a 1% XP boost.
• Admiral Pie: Temporarily boosts your Fishing level by 5, increasing catch rates.
• Invisible Boosts: Skills necklace or Fishing Guild teleport gives a +7 invisible boost when near the guild.

Managing Burnout

Minnow fishing requires moderate attention, which can wear you out. To stay fresh:

• Fish in short bursts (30-60 minutes).
• Pair it with music, a podcast, or a second screen activity.
• Set small goals, like collecting 1,000 minnows, to stay motivated.

When to Switch Methods

If you’re chasing faster XP, consider switching to barbarian fishing or anglerfish after level 90. Minnows shine between 82-90, but their XP rates plateau compared to other late-game options.

Fishing minnows in OSRS offers a solid mix of 40,000-60,000 XP per hour and modest profit, making it an excellent choice for mid-to-high-level players. While it’s not the fastest XP or the most lucrative method, its accessibility, low requirements, and dual-purpose nature keep it relevant. Whether you’re aiming for 99 Fishing or just want a steady grind, minnows are a worthy addition to your skilling toolkit. Grab your net, head to the platform, and start reeling in those gains!