Is Minnow Fishing Worth It in Old School RuneScape

Is Minnow Fishing Worth It in Old School RuneScape

Minnow fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a unique and often debated method for training Fishing and making gold. Available at Kylie Minnow’s platform in the Fishing Guild, it requires level 82 Fishing, a small fishing net, the full Angler’s outfit, and completion of the Fishing Contest quest. But with its high requirements and click-intensive nature, is it worth your time? This guide dives into the mechanics, rewards, and trade-offs of minnow fishing to help you decide if it fits your OSRS goals.

Minnow fishing stands out due to its active gameplay compared to other Fishing methods. Let’s break down how it works and what makes it unique.

How Minnow Fishing Works

At Kylie Minnow’s platform, players catch minnows that stack in the inventory, eliminating the need for banking. Each catch grants 26.1 Fishing experience and yields 10–14 minnows, depending on your Fishing level. The catch rate increases with boosts, like Admiral Pies (+5 Fishing) or the dragon harpoon’s special attack (+3 Fishing).

Unique Challenges

Unlike AFK methods like Barbarian Fishing, minnow spots move clockwise every 15 seconds, requiring constant attention. A flying fish may also spawn (1/10 chance after a spot moves), eating 16–26 minnows from your inventory until you switch spots. These mechanics make minnow fishing less relaxing but reward focus.

Experience Rates and Leveling Potential

OSRS Minnows Fishing Guide NovaMMO

Minnow fishing isn’t the fastest way to 99 Fishing, but it offers decent experience for players who enjoy active skilling. Let’s explore its leveling potential.

XP Per Hour

At level 82, expect around 40,000 XP per hour, scaling to 50,000–55,000 XP at level 99 with optimal boosts (e.g., Rada’s Blessing and spirit flakes). For comparison:

  • Barbarian Fishing: 50,000–80,000 XP/hour (level 70+).
  • Tempoross: 50,000–70,000 XP/hour (level 35+).
  • Anglerfish: 15,000–23,000 XP/hour (level 82+).

Minnows are slower than Barbarian Fishing but comparable to Tempoross, with the added benefit of profit.

Is It Good for 99 Fishing?

For players prioritizing XP, Barbarian Fishing or Tempoross are better due to higher rates and lower effort. However, minnows shine for those who want to combine leveling with gold-making, especially for Ironmen needing sharks.

Profitability of Minnow Fishing

One of minnow fishing’s biggest draws is its profitability. Minnows are exchanged for noted raw sharks at a rate of 40 minnows per shark, which can be sold on the Grand Exchange.

Gold Per Hour

With raw sharks valued at approximately 600–700 GP each (prices fluctuate, so check the Grand Exchange), profit depends on your Fishing level and efficiency:

Fishing Level Sharks/Hour GP/Hour (at 650 GP/Shark)
82 375–450 243,750–292,500
90 450–550 292,500–357,500
99 550–625 357,500–406,250

Using Rada’s Blessing (up to 8% chance for double minnows) and spirit flakes (50% chance to double catches) can push profits toward 400,000–450,000 GP/hour at higher levels.

Comparing Profit to Other Methods

Minnow fishing outperforms many Fishing methods for gold:

  • Anglerfish: ~200,000–300,000 GP/hour but slower XP.
  • Dark Crabs: ~300,000–400,000 GP/hour (level 85+, Wilderness risk).
  • Monkfish: ~90,000–120,000 GP/hour (level 62+).

It’s a solid choice for profit without the risk of PvP areas, though it’s less lucrative than high-level PvM.

Requirements and Preparation

Minnow fishing has steep entry barriers, so let’s cover what you need and how to prepare.

Unlocking the Platform

To access Kylie’s platform, you must:

Optimizing Your Setup

To maximize efficiency:

  • Small fishing net: Essential for catching minnows.
  • Rada’s Blessing: Earned from Kourend & Kebos Diary (higher tiers increase double-catch chance).
  • Spirit flakes: Obtained from Tempoross, doubling catches 50% of the time.
  • Admiral Pies: Boost Fishing by +5 for faster catches (eat every 2 minutes to maintain).
  • Timer: Use a synced interval timer (15 seconds) to track spot rotations.

These tools can significantly improve your XP and GP rates, but they require preparation or investment.

Is Minnow Fishing Right for You

Deciding if minnow fishing is worth it depends on your playstyle, goals, and tolerance for active skilling. Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Pros of Minnow Fishing

  • High profitability: Up to 450,000 GP/hour, rivaling many skilling methods.
  • Stackable rewards: No banking needed, making it seamless for long sessions.
  • Ironman-friendly: Provides a reliable source of raw sharks for PvM (e.g., Zulrah).
  • Decent XP: 40,000–55,000 XP/hour is respectable for a profit-focused method.

Cons of Minnow Fishing

  • Click-intensive: Spot rotations and flying fish demand constant attention, unlike AFK methods.
  • High requirements: Level 82 Fishing and Angler’s outfit take significant effort.
  • Slower XP: Outpaced by Barbarian Fishing or Tempoross for pure leveling.
  • Flying fish frustration: Losing minnows to flying fish can feel punishing if you’re distracted.

Who Should Try It

Minnow fishing suits:

  • Ironmen needing sharks for bossing or Slayer.
  • Profit-driven players who don’t mind active skilling.
  • Multitaskers who can focus on fishing while doing other activities (e.g., watching a stream).

If you prefer AFK methods or prioritize max XP, consider Barbarian Fishing or Tempoross instead.

Alternatives to Consider

If minnow fishing doesn’t appeal, try:

  • Barbarian Fishing: High XP, AFK-friendly, with Agility and Strength bonuses.
  • Tempoross: Fun, rewarding, and good for XP and loot.
  • Anglerfish: Profitable and low-effort, though slower XP.

Verdict: Minnow fishing is worth it for players who value profit and don’t mind active gameplay, especially Ironmen or those needing sharks. It’s not the fastest for XP, and its high requirements may deter casual players, but the gold potential—up to 450,000 GP/hour—makes it a strong choice for focused skillers. Weigh your goals: if you want a chill grind, look elsewhere; if you’re after sharks and cash, minnows deliver.

Ready to give it a shot? Grab your net, hit the Fishing Guild, and start stacking those minnows. Happy fishing!