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

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


If you’re looking to level up your Fishing, Strength, and Agility skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), Barbarian Fishing is one of the most efficient and rewarding methods available. This unique training technique, rooted in the rugged traditions of the Barbarians, allows you to catch leaping fish at Baxtorian Falls while gaining experience in multiple skills simultaneously. Whether you’re an Ironman seeking self-sufficiency or a casual player aiming for 99 Fishing, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Barbarian Fishing training in OSRS. From requirements and gear to experience rates and pro tips, let’s dive into the serene yet skill-packed waters of this method!

Barbarian Fishing is a special training method introduced as part of the Barbarian Training miniquest. Unlike traditional fishing, which only boosts your Fishing skill, this technique also provides passive experience in Strength and Agility. It’s performed using a heavy rod at specific fishing spots near Otto Godblessed’s Grotto, located atop Baxtorian Falls. The method stands out for its multi-skill benefits and relatively low-effort approach, making it a favorite among players looking to optimize their training.

Why Choose Barbarian Fishing?

Here’s why Barbarian Fishing is a top choice for OSRS players:

  • Multi-Skill Training: Gain Fishing, Strength, and Agility XP all at once.
  • Efficiency: Offers some of the fastest Fishing XP rates in the game, especially with tick manipulation.
  • Ironman-Friendly: Provides fish and bait materials you can use or cook, reducing reliance on external resources.
  • Low Competition: The spots are less crowded compared to other popular training areas like the Fishing Guild.

How It Fits Into the Barbarian Training Miniquest

Barbarian Fishing is one segment of the broader Barbarian Training miniquest, which also includes expansions to Firemaking, Herblore, and Smithing. Completing the Fishing portion unlocks access to the heavy rod and barehanded fishing techniques, setting the stage for efficient skill progression. You’ll need to speak to Otto Godblessed to kick things off, making it a straightforward entry into this unique training style.

Requirements and Gear for Barbarian Fishing

OSRS Fishing Training

Before you can start reeling in leaping fish, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements and gather the right equipment. Here’s what you need to get started.

Skill Requirements

To begin Barbarian Fishing, you must have:

  • Fishing Level 48: Required to use the heavy rod and catch leaping trout.
  • Strength Level 15: Minimum needed for leaping trout.
  • Agility Level 15: Also required for leaping trout.

For higher-tier fish like leaping salmon (Fishing 58) and leaping sturgeon (Fishing 70), you’ll need corresponding boosts in Strength and Agility (30 and 45, respectively). Boosts from items like Admiral Pies can help you access these fish earlier.

Essential Gear

Here’s the gear you’ll need to start Barbarian Fishing:

  • Barbarian Rod: Obtained by searching under Otto’s bed after speaking to him.
  • Bait: Feathers, fishing bait, fish offcuts, roe, or caviar (feathers are the most cost-effective and widely available).
  • Knife: Optional, but useful for gutting fish to obtain roe, caviar, or offcuts for additional bait or Cooking XP.

For advanced players using tick manipulation, additional items like herbs, swamp tar, and a pestle and mortar are recommended to optimize XP rates.

Getting to Otto’s Grotto

The fishing spots are located near Otto’s Grotto, south of the Barbarian Outpost. The fastest ways to get there include:

  • Games Necklace: Teleport to the Barbarian Outpost and run south.
  • Barbarian Assault Teleport: Use the Grouping teleport and head southwest.
  • Walking: From East Ardougne, climb the waterfall (requires decent HP to avoid damage).

How to Start Barbarian Fishing Training

Barbarian Fishing Xp Per Hour Osrs

Ready to cast your rod? Follow these steps to begin your Barbarian Fishing journey in OSRS.

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Visit Otto Godblessed: Head to his Grotto atop Baxtorian Falls and ask, “What can I learn about the use of a fishing rod?”
  2. Obtain the Barbarian Rod: Search under Otto’s bed to grab the heavy rod.
  3. Gather Bait: Stock up on feathers or fishing bait from shops like Port Sarim or the Grand Exchange.
  4. Start Fishing: Use the rod on the fishing spots in the nearby lake to catch leaping trout, salmon, or sturgeon, depending on your level.
  5. Optional Gutting: Use a knife on caught fish to gain Cooking XP and collect roe or caviar for Herblore or bait.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to Barbarian Fishing, keep these pointers in mind:

  • Shift-Drop: Enable shift-drop in your settings to quickly clear your inventory of fish, boosting efficiency.
  • Stock Up: Bring at least 1,000 feathers to avoid interruptions during your session.
  • Practice Patience: The method becomes significantly faster at level 58 when you unlock leaping salmon.

Experience Rates and Level Progression

Barbarian Fishing offers impressive XP rates, especially when paired with tick manipulation. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect as you level up.

Standard XP Rates

Without tick manipulation, here are the approximate XP rates per hour:

Fishing Level Fish Fishing XP/Hour Strength & Agility XP/Hour
48 Leaping Trout 41,000 4,100
58 Leaping Salmon 68,000 6,300
70 Leaping Sturgeon 90,000 8,200
99 Leaping Sturgeon 108,000 9,800

Note: These rates assume you’re dropping fish rather than banking them, as banking significantly slows down XP gains.

3-Tick Barbarian Fishing: Maximizing Efficiency

For those willing to put in extra effort, 3-tick fishing can nearly double your XP rates. This advanced technique involves interrupting the standard 5-tick fishing cycle with a 3-tick action (like mixing herbs and tar) to catch fish faster. Here’s how it works:

  1. Setup: Bring a barbarian rod, feathers, herbs, swamp tar, and a pestle and mortar.
  2. Process: Start the 3-tick action (e.g., use herb on tar), then immediately click the fishing spot. Drop the fish and repeat.
  3. XP Boost: At level 99, you can achieve up to 110,000–115,000 Fishing XP per hour.

This method is click-intensive but offers unmatched efficiency for players chasing 99 Fishing fast.

Leveling Milestones

  • 48–58: Stick to leaping trout until you can catch salmon for better rates.
  • 58–70: Leaping salmon becomes your bread and butter, offering a solid balance of XP and effort.
  • 70–99: Leaping sturgeon provides the highest base XP per catch, making it ideal for the long haul.

Pro Tips and Advanced Strategies

Take your Barbarian Fishing training to the next level with these expert tips and tricks.

Optimizing Your Inventory

To maximize efficiency:

  • Minimize Clutter: Only bring the rod, bait, and a knife (if gutting). Drop fish as you go.
  • Use Offcuts: Gut fish early to build a stockpile of fish offcuts, which can replace feathers as bait later.
  • Fish Barrel: If you have it from Tempoross, use it to store fish without dropping, though this is less common for XP-focused training.

Boosting XP with Outfits and Items

Enhance your gains with these optional boosts:

  • Angler’s Outfit: Obtained from Fishing Trawler, it provides a 2.5% XP boost when the full set is worn.
  • Admiral Pie: Temporarily boosts Fishing by 5 levels, letting you catch higher-tier fish sooner.
  • Spirit Flakes: Increase your catch rate by 50%, speeding up XP gains.

Combining with Other Goals

Barbarian Fishing isn’t just about Fishing XP. Use it to:

  • Train Cooking: Gut fish for roe and caviar, which also grants small Cooking XP (up to 80 Cooking to avoid failing).
  • Support Ironmen: Cook the fish for early-game food supplies.
  • Complete Diaries: Progress toward Kandarin or Achievement Diaries requiring Fishing levels.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Steer clear of these pitfalls:

  • Banking Fish: It’s too time-consuming and not worth the low profit—drop instead.
  • Starting Too Early: Wait until level 58 for salmon to avoid sluggish XP rates with trout.
  • Running Out of Bait: Always bring extra feathers to keep your session uninterrupted.

Barbarian Fishing in OSRS is a powerhouse of a training method, blending efficiency with multi-skill progression. Whether you’re casually casting at the lake or mastering 3-tick techniques, this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to make the most of your time at Baxtorian Falls. So grab your barbarian rod, stock up on feathers, and start fishing your way to 99—happy skilling!