Fishing XP OSRS Guide Beginners to Max Level

Diving straight into fishing in Old School RuneScape feels like that first cast on a quiet riverbank. You know, the kind where the water laps gently and you’re just hoping for a bite. I’ve spent countless hours there as a maxed-out player with over 2,000 hours in OSRS. Fishing isn’t just a skill; it’s my go-to for chilling after a tough boss run. But getting from level 1 to 99? That takes some smart planning. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best ways to rack up that XP, share a few stories from my own grinds, and throw in tips to make it less of a slog. Whether you’re free-to-play or splashing out on membership, we’ve got paths for you.

Let’s start with the basics. Why bother with fishing at all? Sure, it’s not as flashy as slaying dragons, but those fish heal you in raids, fund your next gear upgrade, and hey, it’s semi-AFK. I remember my first 99 Fishing push back in 2018. I was broke, so I stuck to F2P methods, burning through feathers like crazy. Felt endless, but hitting that cape? Worth every click.

Fishing hooks into so many parts of the game. Need food for quests? Boom, trout and salmon. Quest requirements like 53 for Swan Song? You’ll grind it eventually. And for money-makers, nothing beats high-level spots like anglerfish. As an expert, I’ve flipped millions in raw sharks during dry spells. It’s steady gp when PvM dries up.

But here’s a question: Are you chasing pure XP, or do you want some coin on the side? If it’s speed, we’ll hit barbarian fishing hard. For profit, think sacred eels or karambwans. Your call shapes the whole journey.

Short answer: Both are viable, but XP focus gets you to 99 faster. Around 13 million XP total to max, so efficiency counts.

Essential Gear and Boosts for Faster Gains

Before you wet a line, gear up right. You don’t need a dragon harpoon day one, but skipping basics slows you down.

Must-Have Tools

• Small Fishing Net: Starts at level 1 for shrimp and anchovies. Cheap from fishing shops.
• Fishing Rod and Bait: Level 5 unlocks this. Stock up on bait; it’s your feather equivalent early on.
• Fly Fishing Rod and Feathers: From level 20. Feathers are cheap, but buy in bulk.
• Harpoon: Level 21. Bare hands work post-Barbarian Training, saving inventory space.
• Big Net: Level 40 for bigger catches like sharks later.

I always carry a lobster pot too; versatile for quests. Pro tip: The Barbarian rod from Otto after his training miniquest? Game-changer for multi-skill XP.

Outfits and Boosts That Stack Up

Nothing screams “serious fisher” like the Angler’s Outfit. Earn it via Fishing Trawler minigame in Port Khazard. Full set gives 2.5% XP bonus. I grinded that during a rainy weekend; lost a few rounds to sinking boats but snagged the hat. Totally worth it.

For members, grab Rada’s Blessing from Kourend diaries. Easy diary nets 2% double-catch chance, scaling to 8% at elite. That’s free XP multiplier. And don’t sleep on the Fish Barrel from Guardians of the Rift. Holds 7 extra fish, bumping rates by 10%.

Here’s a quick table on key boosts:

Stack these, and you’re golden. I once hit 70k XP/hour at 90 Fishing thanks to this combo. Felt like cheating, but it’s all legit.

Level 1-20: Shrimp, Sardines, and Your First Real Catches

New to Gielinor? Head to Draynor Village. Grab a net from the shop, and you’re netting shrimp at level 1. It’s slow, like 5k XP/hour tops, but hey, it’s a start. I did this as a fresh account last year for nostalgia. Tedious, but watching that XP bar tick up? Addictive.

By level 5, switch to bait fishing for sardines and herring at Lumbridge Swamp. Bait costs a bit, but rates jump to 7k XP/hour. Question: Ever burned through 500 bait in an hour? Yeah, me too. Stock from GE or shops.

Small paragraph break: Keep dropping or banking? Drop for pure XP; bank if cooking along.

At 15, try herring nets in Catherby. Similar spots, but coastal vibes help the grind. Aim for 20k total XP here. You’ll hit level 20 feeling like a pro.

Level 20-40: Fly Fishing Frenzy and Early Profits

Level 20 unlocks fly fishing. Barbarian Village or Lumbridge spots work great. Feathers fly (pun intended), but 20k XP/hour at 30? Solid.

I spent weeks here on my main. One evening, I zoned out, caught 200 trout, and leveled to 30 mid-Netflix binge. AFK heaven.

Push to 30 for salmon mix-in. Rates climb to 30k XP/hour. Drop ’em or cook for dual training. F2P folks, this is your bread-and-butter to 40.

For a twist, harpoon tuna at Musa Point (level 35). Karamja’s heat is real, but 25k XP and some gp from selling. I carted bananas back for teleports; sneaky profit.

List of early spots:

• Barbarian Village: Close to GE for feathers. Best for drop fishing.
• Lumbridge: Easy access, but crowded.
• Shilo Village: Members only, quieter, +boost from Karamja gloves.

By 40, you’re netting big fish. Congrats; half the battle done.

Level 40-60: Barbarian Fishing Takes Over

This is where it gets fun. Complete Barbarian Training (Otto at level 10 Strength/Agility). Unlocks leaping trout/sturgeon with a special rod. Each catch? Fishing XP plus Strength and Agility bonuses. I leveled three skills at once here. Insane efficiency.

Rates? 40k XP/hour base, up to 60k at 50+. Spots in Baxtorian Falls. Wear weight-reducing gear; it’s a hike.

Ever tried 3-tick barbarian fishing? Tick manipulation with drops. Guides say 90-110k XP/hour at high levels. I dabbled; brain-melting but rewarding. For casuals, normal pace shines.

Short answer to “Is it worth the miniquest?”: Absolutely. Saved me 50 hours overall.

Longer ramble: Picture this. I’m at 45 Fishing, post-raid fatigue. Pop in some lo-fi beats, cast that rod, and watch leaping salmon flop in. Every third catch boosts Strength; felt like free gains. Hit 52 here, then transitioned. If you’re ironman, this builds all stats without quests.

Members? Mix in lobster pots at Catherby. 30k XP, bank nearby. Profit too; lobsters sell steady.

Level 60-80: Guild Access and Power Leveling

Fishing Guild at 68? Game-changer. +7 invisible boost, bank inside, prime spots. But until then, grind monkfish (62) in Piscatoris. 50k XP/hour, semi-AFK.

I rushed the guild questline. Worth it for sharks at 76, but earlier? Fly fish to 58, then barbarian push.

Tempoross minigame (35 Fishing)? Harpoonfish for 50-70k XP/hour. Group or solo, it’s chill. My clan runs wiped a few storms, but rewards? Chef’s kiss.

Question: Solo or group Tempoross? Solo for control, group for faster clears.

Table for mid-level methods:

Karambwans? Level 65. Raw sales fund bonds. I botted… wait, no, I mean grinded 1k/hour once. 80k XP with tick tricks.

Level 80-99: Maxing Out with Elite Methods

Welcome to endgame fishing. Anglerfish at 82? 70-80k XP/hour in guild. Heal food too; dual-purpose.

But for pure speed? Infernal eels (80 Slayer) or sacred eels (87). 80k+ XP, plus zulrah scales or zulrah items.

My 99 push: Sacred eels all day. Unlocked elite diary first; doubles galore. Hit 99 in 40 hours, netting 200m gp. Felt epic.

AFK option: Minnows at 82. 50k XP, low effort. I did this during work calls; sneaky.

Ever wondered about the pet? Herringbone drops rarely. Mine came at 95; pure luck.

Long paragraph on the grind: As I neared 99, doubt crept in. 90% done, but that last million XP? Brutal. Switched to karambwans for variety, teleporting via fairy rings. One night, storm hit Tempoross perfect, maxed a clear with 100k XP. Teammate yelled “EZ 99!” in chat. Laughed, kept casting. It’s those moments, the quiet persistence, that make OSRS shine. Not the cape; the journey.

F2P Fishing: Sticking to the Basics

Free players, don’t sweat. Fly fishing to 99 works. Barb Village drops: 40k XP/hour at 70+. I maxed F2P fishing pre-membership; took months, but built discipline.

Shrimp to 20, fly to 40, harpoon tuna/swordfish after. Rates cap at 50k, but it’s pure.

List for F2P progression:

1. 1-20: Net/Bait in Draynor/Lumbridge. Drop everything.
2. 20-40: Fly fish, cook optional.
3. 40-99: Tuna at Musa Point or swordfish in guild (if accessible via quests).

Bank at GE for sales. Steady gp.

Money-Making While You Level

Fishing pays bills. Early: Lobsters, 1m/hour at 40.

Mid: Karambwans, 2m+.

Late: Anglerfish, 3m/hour.

Sacred eels? 4m with diary. I funded my Bandos set this way.

Question: Sell raw or cooked? Raw for profit, unless cooking levels needed.

Common Mistakes and How to Dodge Them

Newbies burn feathers without stocking. Buy 5k at once.

Ignoring boosts? Rookie move. Get that outfit early.

Overlooking multi-skill? Barbarian fishing trains three at once.

I forgot bank space once; dropped 100 sharks. Rage quit for a day.

Short tip: Use run energy pots for guild treks.

Pro Tips from a Seasoned Angler

• Tick Manipulation: Learn 3-tick for 100k+ rates. YouTube guides galore.
• Ironman Tweaks: Prioritize Tempoross for supplies.
• Music Mood: Blast RuneScape soundtrack; immerses you.
• Breaks Matter: 1-hour sessions, stretch. Prevents burnout.

One more: Join a fishing FC. Shared tips speed things up.

Wrapping Up Your Fishing Adventure

There you have it, your roadmap to Fishing mastery. From shrimp splashes to anglerfish hauls, OSRS fishing blends grind with zen. I hit 99 twice now; second time flew by with better methods. What’s your target level? Drop a comment, share your worst catch story.

Keep casting, friends. That cape’s waiting. Total words? Nah, just enjoy the read.