OSRS Fishing Guide Best Methods to Level Up Fast
Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet rewarding skill that lets you catch fish, earn gold, and unlock key game content. Whether you’re aiming for level 99, seeking profit, or gathering food for combat, this guide covers everything you need to know to fish effectively. From starter tips to advanced techniques, we’ll explore the best methods, equipment, and locations to help you master fishing in 2025.
Fishing isn’t just about chilling by the water—it’s a core skill with practical benefits. Higher fishing levels unlock new fish, better XP rates, and access to quests like Swan Song (level 62) or the Achievement Diary cape (level 96). For ironmen, it’s a vital food source for bossing and slayer. Plus, certain methods can net you millions in gold. Let’s dive into how to get started and progress efficiently.
Key Benefits of Fishing
- Quest Requirements: Levels like 53 for Barrows gloves or 62 for the quest cape.
- Profit: Methods like monkfish or minnows can yield 500k+ GP/hour.
- Food Supply: Catch fish to cook for combat or slayer.
- AFK Training: Many methods require minimal clicks, perfect for multitasking.
Getting Started with Fishing
At level 1, fishing is simple but slow. You’ll need basic equipment and access to beginner-friendly spots. This section covers what you need to kick off your fishing journey and progress to level 20 quickly.
Basic Equipment
Fishing uses two types of items: consumables (used up per catch) and reusable equipment. Here’s what you need early on:
| Equipment | Type | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small Fishing Net | Reusable | Catch shrimp, anchovies |
| Fly Fishing Rod | Reusable | Catch trout, salmon (level 20+) |
| Feathers | Consumable | Bait for fly fishing |
Best Beginner Spots
Start at these locations for easy access and decent XP:
- Draynor Village: Net fish shrimp and anchovies near the bank. Watch for level 7 Dark Wizards if you’re low combat.
- Lumbridge Swamp: Another net fishing spot, great for new players.
- Al Kharid: Close to a bank, but beware of a level 14 scorpion.
From level 1-20, expect 1,500-7,500 XP/hour catching shrimp (10 XP each) and anchovies (40 XP each, starting at level 15). Drop fish for faster XP or bank them for small profits (shrimp sell for ~98 GP, anchovies ~32 GP).
Fastest Fishing Methods to Level 99
Once you hit level 20, faster methods open up. This section outlines the best ways to level fishing, balancing XP rates and effort. We’ll focus on free-to-play (F2P) and pay-to-play (P2P) options.
Fly Fishing (Levels 20-58)
Fly fishing is the fastest F2P method and a solid P2P choice until level 58. You’ll catch trout (50 XP) and salmon (70 XP, starting at level 30) using a fly fishing rod and feathers.
- Location: Barbarian Village or Lumbridge River.
- XP/Hour: 20,000-40,000.
- Tip: Drop fish for max XP or cook them for Cooking XP. Use tick manipulation (explained later) for up to 50k XP/hour.
Barbarian Fishing (Levels 48-99)
For P2P players, Barbarian Fishing is a game-changer. It trains Fishing, Strength, and Agility simultaneously, offering great XP and decent fish for cooking.
- Requirements: Start at level 48 Fishing, 15 Strength, 15 Agility. Complete the Fishing part of Barbarian Training at Otto’s Grotto.
- Location: Lake near Otto’s Grotto (use Games Necklace to Barbarian Outpost).
- Fish: Leaping trout (level 48), salmon (level 58), sturgeon (level 70).
- XP/Hour: 30,000-70,000 (up to 90,000 with 3-tick method).
Pro Tip: Use a knife to gut fish for roe/caviar, which can be used as bait or cooked for extra XP.
Tempoross (Levels 35-99)
Tempoross is a minigame-like boss that offers the fastest Fishing XP in OSRS if you don’t cook the fish. It’s engaging and less click-intensive than Barbarian Fishing.
- Requirements: Level 35 Fishing, completion of Tempoross tutorial.
- Location: Ruins of Unkah (teleport via Spirit Anglers’ boat).
- XP/Hour: 50,000-100,000 (scales with level).
- Rewards: Fish barrel (stores 28 fish), spirit flakes (50% chance for double fish), and more.
Strategy: Harpoon fish, douse fires, and repair masts to subdue Tempoross. Skip cooking to maximize XP.
Profitable Fishing Methods
If gold is your goal, certain fishing methods double as money-makers. These are ideal for funding gear or other skills while still gaining decent XP.
Lobster Fishing (Levels 40-62)
Lobsters are a classic choice for profit, especially for F2P players. They’re easy to catch and sell well.
- Requirements: Level 40 Fishing, lobster pot.
- Locations: Musa Point (F2P, 30 coins to bank at Port Sarim) or Catherby (P2P, close to bank).
- XP/Hour: 12,000-34,800.
- Profit: ~25,000 GP/hour (raw lobsters ~82 GP each). Cooking boosts profit to ~88,000 GP/hour.
Monkfish (Levels 62-99)
Monkfish offer the best profit for mid-to-high-level P2P players, with solid XP as a bonus.
- Requirements: Level 62 Fishing, completion of Swan Song.
- Location: Piscatoris Fishing Colony (use Fairy Ring AKQ or Piscatoris teleport).
- XP/Hour: ~35,000.
- Profit: ~600,000 GP/hour (monkfish ~300 GP each).
Tip: Wear Rada’s Blessing (from Kourend & Kebos Diary) for a 2-8% chance to catch double fish.
Minnows (Levels 82-99)
Minnows are the top money-making method, trading 40 minnows for 1 raw shark. It’s click-intensive but lucrative.
- Requirements: Level 82 Fishing, Angler’s Outfit, completion of Fishing Contest.
- Location: Kylie Minnow’s platform in Fishing Guild.
- XP/Hour: 40,000-55,000.
- Profit: ~500,000-650,000 GP/hour (26,000 minnows = 650 sharks at ~780 GP each).
Tip: Use RuneLite’s fishing plugin to highlight moving minnow spots and avoid flying fish.
Tips to Boost Your Fishing Efficiency
Maximize your XP and profits with these advanced strategies and gear. Small tweaks can make a big difference over hours of fishing.
XP-Boosting Gear
Invest in these items to speed up your grind:
- Angler’s Outfit: Earned from Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing. Grants 2.5% extra XP when wearing the full set.
- Dragon Harpoon: Boosts catch rate by 20% with its special attack (level 61 Fishing, 60 Attack).
- Admiral Pie: Temporarily boosts Fishing by +5, letting you access higher-level methods early (e.g., Fishing Guild at level 63).
Tick Manipulation for Faster XP
Tick manipulation exploits game ticks (0.6 seconds) to cancel animations, boosting XP rates. For fly fishing or Barbarian Fishing, try the 3-tick method:
- Bring a knife, clean tarromin, swamp tar, and pestle and mortar.
- Click a fishing spot, then immediately use swamp tar on tarromin after 3 ticks.
- Repeat to maintain the rhythm.
This can push fly fishing to 50,000 XP/hour or Barbarian Fishing to 90,000 XP/hour, but it’s click-intensive.
Quest XP Rewards
Skip early levels with these quests for quick Fishing XP:
| Quest | XP Reward | Level Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Slug | 7,125 | None |
| Fremennik Trials | 2,812 | None |
| Fishing Contest | 2,437 | 10 |
Completing these can get you to level 27 instantly, bypassing the slow shrimp grind.
Fishing in OSRS offers something for everyone—fast XP, steady gold, or a chill AFK vibe. Start with fly fishing for quick early levels, then switch to Barbarian Fishing or Tempoross for the race to 99. If profit’s your focus, lobsters, monkfish, and minnows keep your bank full. Equip the Angler’s Outfit, use boosts like Admiral Pie, and consider tick manipulation for max efficiency. With this guide, you’re ready to cast your net and reel in success!