How to Catch Anglerfish in OSRS: A Complete Guide

How to Catch Anglerfish in OSRS: A Complete Guide


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a variety of fishing methods, but catching anglerfish stands out as both a profitable and rewarding activity. Found exclusively in the Piscarilius House region of Great Kourend, anglerfish are prized for their ability to heal above maximum hitpoints, making them a favorite among PvM and PvP players alike. If you’re looking to master this skill, boost your Fishing level, or make some serious gold, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to catch anglerfish in OSRS. From requirements to gear, locations, and tips, we’ve got you covered!

Before you can start reeling in anglerfish, you’ll need to meet a few prerequisites. These ensure you have access to the right area and the skills to catch this elusive fish.

Fishing Level Requirement

To catch anglerfish, you need a minimum Fishing level of 82. This is a relatively high requirement, so if you’re not there yet, consider training with methods like fly fishing (trout and salmon) or Tempoross to build up your XP efficiently.

Piscarilius Favour

Anglerfish are only found in Port Piscarilius, which requires 100% Piscarilius favour in Great Kourend. Gaining this favour can take several hours, typically through activities like repairing fishing cranes or delivering fish. Start early if you’re new to Kourend!

Required Equipment

You’ll need specific tools to catch anglerfish:

  • Fishing Rod: A basic tool available from most fishing shops.
  • Sandworms: These serve as bait and are essential for catching anglerfish. More on sourcing them below!

Where to Catch Anglerfish in OSRS

OSRS 199 Fishing Guide NovaMMO

Location is key when fishing for anglerfish. Unlike other fish scattered across Gielinor, anglerfish are exclusive to one spot.

Port Piscarilius Fishing Spot

The prime location is the bait fishing spot south of Tynan’s Fishing Supplies in Port Piscarilius. Alternatively, you can fish along the beach shore north of the main docks. Both spots are accessible once you’ve unlocked 100% favour, and they’re conveniently close to a bank for quick deposits.

How to Get There

Getting to Port Piscarilius is straightforward:

  • Teleport: Use the Kourend Castle Teleport (via a spellbook or Xeric’s Talisman) and head east.
  • Skills Necklace: Teleport to the Fishing Guild, then travel southeast to Kourend and eastward to Piscarilius.
  • Fairy Ring: Code DJQ drops you near Kourend, followed by a short walk.

Gear and Inventory Setup for Anglerfish Fishing

Optimizing your gear and inventory can make your anglerfish fishing sessions more efficient and enjoyable. Here’s what to bring and why.

Essential Gear

While the Fishing Rod and sandworms are non-negotiable, additional items can boost your success:

  • Angler Outfit: Obtained from the Fishing Trawler minigame, this set provides a 2.5% XP boost when fully equipped.
  • Rada’s Blessing: Earned from the Kourend & Kebos Diary, it offers a 2-8% chance (depending on tier) to catch double fish.
  • Dragon Harpoon: Requires 61 Fishing and 60 Attack to wield; its special attack boosts Fishing by +3 temporarily.

Inventory Recommendations

Your inventory should balance bait, storage, and convenience:

  • Sandworms: Bring 500-1000, depending on your trip length. Buy them from Tynan’s Fishing Supplies (90 gp each if bought one pack at a time) or the Grand Exchange (slightly pricier).
  • Fish Barrel: Unlocked via Tempoross, this holds 28 anglerfish, doubling your banking interval.
  • Teleport Method: A Skills Necklace or Xeric’s Talisman for quick escapes or bank runs.

How to Catch Anglerfish: Step-by-Step Process

Now that you’re equipped and at the right spot, here’s how to catch anglerfish in OSRS efficiently.

Fishing Mechanics

Anglerfish are caught using a bait fishing method. Each catch consumes one sandworm and grants 120 Fishing XP. The success rate improves with your Fishing level, starting at around 12% at level 82 and rising to 14.5% at 99.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Equip your Fishing Rod.
  2. Ensure sandworms are in your inventory.
  3. Head to the bait fishing spot south of Tynan’s or the shore north of the docks.
  4. Click the fishing spot to start fishing—spots may move occasionally, so stay alert.
  5. Bank your catch at the nearby Piscarilius bank when your inventory or fish barrel is full.

Tips for Efficiency

  • Use Rada’s Blessing: The double-catch chance can significantly increase your haul.
  • Spirit Flakes: Obtained from Tempoross, these give a 50% chance of double catches when in your inventory.
  • High-Click Intensity: Click fishing spots quickly to maximize catches per hour.

Experience Rates, Profit, and Benefits

Catching anglerfish isn’t just about the fish—it’s about the rewards. Here’s what you can expect in terms of XP, gold, and utility.

Fishing XP Rates

XP rates depend on your Fishing level and efficiency:

Fishing Level XP Per Hour Fish Per Hour
82 15,000-18,000 75-100
90 18,000-20,000 100-125
99 20,000-23,000 125-150

These rates assume moderate effort; using boosts like the dragon harpoon or spirit flakes can push you closer to the upper end.

Profit Potential

Anglerfish are highly profitable due to their value as a top-tier food item. At roughly 1,500 gp each (prices fluctuate—check the Grand Exchange), you can earn:

  • 100 fish/hour: ~150,000 gp/hour.
  • 150 fish/hour: ~225,000 gp/hour.

Subtract the cost of sandworms (90-135 gp each), and you’re still netting 100,000-200,000 gp/hour, making this one of the best AFK money-making methods in OSRS.

Why Catch Anglerfish?

Beyond XP and gold, anglerfish offer unique benefits:

  • Healing Power: When cooked (requires 84 Cooking), they heal 3-22 HP based on your Hitpoints level, and can boost HP above your max (up to 121).
  • AFK-Friendly: The spots don’t move often, making it ideal for multitasking or casual play.
  • Diary Task: Catching and cooking an anglerfish in Great Kourend completes an Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary task.

Comparison to Other Fishing Methods

Here’s how anglerfish stack up:

Method Level Req XP/Hour GP/Hour AFK Level
Anglerfish 82 15k-23k 100k-200k High
Monkfish 62 10k-15k 50k-100k Moderate
Tempoross 35 40k-60k Minimal Low

Anglerfish strike a balance between profit and moderate XP, perfect for players prioritizing gold over raw speed to 99.

Mastering how to catch anglerfish in OSRS opens up a world of opportunity—whether you’re after XP, profit, or a reliable food source for high-level content. With the right setup and a bit of patience, you’ll be hauling in these deep-sea treasures in no time. So grab your rod, stock up on sandworms, and head to Piscarilius—happy fishing!