OSRS AFK Fishing Guide Fast XP and Profit with Minimal Effort

Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet rewarding skill that can be trained with minimal attention, making it perfect for players who want to multitask or take a laid-back approach. This AFK fishing guide dives into the best methods, locations, and strategies to level up your Fishing skill efficiently while maximizing experience (XP) and potential profits. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 or just looking to make some gold, these AFK-friendly techniques will help you achieve your goals without constant clicking.
AFK fishing is ideal for players who want to progress in OSRS while watching a show, working, or handling other tasks. Fishing spots in OSRS often allow you to cast your rod or net and wait for a full inventory, requiring only occasional clicks to reset. This guide focuses on methods that balance XP rates with low effort, ensuring you get the most out of your time in Gielinor.
Benefits of AFK Fishing
- Low Effort: Click once and wait for minutes before interacting again.
- Multitasking Friendly: Perfect for playing on a second monitor or mobile device.
- Profit Potential: Some methods yield valuable fish that sell well on the Grand Exchange.
- Skill Progression: Gain Fishing XP passively while working toward level 99.
Essential Equipment for AFK Fishing
Before diving into specific methods, let’s cover the gear you’ll need to make AFK fishing as efficient as possible. Having the right tools can boost your catch rates and XP per hour, saving you time in the long run.
Recommended Fishing Gear
- Small Fishing Net: Used for Monkfish and low-level net fishing.
- Fishing Rod and Bait: Necessary for Anglerfish (sandworms) and Karambwans (Karambwanji).
- Barbarian Rod: Required for Barbarian Fishing, paired with feathers or bait.
- Fish Barrel: Increases inventory space, reducing banking trips (obtained from Tempoross).
- Angler’s Outfit: Grants a 2.5% XP boost, earned via Fishing Trawler or Tempoross.
Optional Boosts
To maximize efficiency, consider these optional items:
- Dragon Harpoon: Special attack boosts Fishing by 3 levels (requires 60 Attack).
- Rada’s Blessing: 2-8% chance to catch double fish, depending on Kourend & Kebos Diary tier.
- Admiral Pie: Temporarily boosts Fishing by 5 levels for accessing higher-level methods early.
Top AFK Fishing Methods
Below are the best AFK fishing methods in OSRS, each offering a mix of XP, profit, and minimal interaction. These methods are accessible at various Fishing levels, so you can pick one that suits your current progress.
Monkfish Fishing (Level 62+)
Monkfish fishing at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony is one of the most popular AFK methods due to its decent XP rates and low requirements. After completing the Swan Song quest, you can access this spot with just a small fishing net.
- Location: Piscatoris Fishing Colony (teleport with Fairy Ring code A-K-Q or Piscatoris Teleport Scroll).
- XP/Hour: 20,000–30,000 at level 70, up to 40,000 at higher levels.
- Profit: Approximately 50,000–80,000 GP/hour, though not ideal for money-making.
- AFK Time: Up to 1 minute per inventory, perfect for relaxed training.
Tip: Use the nearby bank deposit box to drop off fish if you’re saving them for Cooking or profit. For pure XP, enable shift-drop to quickly clear your inventory.
Karambwan Fishing (Level 65+)
Fishing Karambwans on Karamja is a fantastic AFK method because the fishing spots never move, allowing you to click once and wait for a full inventory. You’ll need to complete the Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest and catch Karambwanji bait using a small fishing net at the lake south of Tai Bwo Wannai.
- Location: North of the Karamja shipyard, near Fairy Ring C-K-R.
- XP/Hour: 25,000–30,000, increasing slightly with levels.
- Profit: Up to 250,000–400,000 GP/hour, making it a solid money-maker.
- Requirements: Karambwan vessel, Karambwanji bait, and a teleport method (e.g., Amulet of Glory).
Tip: Bring a Fish Barrel to extend AFK time and reduce banking trips. At level 95+, catch rates improve significantly, boosting both XP and profit.
Barbarian Fishing (Level 58+)
Barbarian Fishing at Otto’s Grotto offers a unique AFK method that also trains Strength and Agility alongside Fishing. You’ll need to complete the Barbarian Training miniquest and have 15 Strength and Agility to start.
- Location: Otto’s Grotto, southwest of Barbarian Outpost.
- XP/Hour: 30,000–50,000 (Fishing), plus ~5,000 Strength/Agility XP at higher levels.
- Fish: Leaping Trout (level 48), Salmon (level 58), Sturgeon (level 70).
- AFK Time: Around 50 seconds per cycle, with occasional clicks to reset.
Tip: Drop fish with shift-click to maximize XP rates, as banking is too time-consuming. Avoid starting at level 48 due to slow catch rates—wait until level 58 for Salmon.
Anglerfish Fishing (Level 82+)
For high-level players, Anglerfish at Port Piscarilius offer the best AFK profit potential, though XP rates are lower. You’ll need 100% Piscarilius favor and sandworms as bait (buyable nearby).
- Location: Northeast shore of Port Piscarilius.
- XP/Hour: 15,000–18,000, peaking at level 95+.
- Profit: 200,000–400,000 GP/hour, depending on market prices.
- AFK Time: Up to 4 minutes per inventory, one of the longest in OSRS.
Tip: Use Rada’s Blessing to occasionally double fish, increasing profit. The nearby bank makes this method convenient for long sessions.
Leveling Roadmap for AFK Fishing
To help you plan your journey to 99 Fishing, here’s a step-by-step roadmap focusing on AFK methods. This path minimizes effort while ensuring steady progress.
Fishing Level | Method | XP/Hour | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1–24 | Questing (Sea Slug) | N/A | Complete Sea Slug for 7,125 XP to skip early levels. |
24–58 | Fly Fishing (Trout/Salmon) | 20,000–30,000 | Use a fly fishing rod in Barbarian Village; semi-AFK. |
58–70 | Barbarian Fishing | 30,000–40,000 | Start at level 58 for Leaping Salmon; drop fish for XP. |
70–82 | Monkfish | 30,000–40,000 | AFK-friendly; bank fish for Cooking or profit. |
82–99 | Anglerfish or Karambwan | 15,000–30,000 | Choose Anglerfish for profit or Karambwan for balanced XP/profit. |
Early Game Questing
Start by completing quests like Sea Slug (7,125 XP) and Fishing Contest to jump to level 24–33 quickly. These require minimal skills (e.g., 30 Firemaking for Sea Slug) and save hours of low-level grinding.
Mid-Level Grinding
From levels 24–58, fly fishing in Barbarian Village is semi-AFK and builds toward Barbarian Fishing. Once you hit level 58, switch to Barbarian Fishing for better XP and passive Strength/Agility gains.
High-Level Options
At level 70+, Monkfish is your go-to for consistent AFK training. For those chasing profit, transition to Karambwans at 65 or Anglerfish at 82, depending on your goals.
Tips to Maximize AFK Fishing Efficiency
While AFK fishing is low-effort, a few tricks can boost your XP and profits without adding much work.
Use Runelite Plugins
The Runelite client offers plugins like “Fishing” to highlight fishing spots and “Inventory Tags” to streamline dropping fish, making AFK sessions even smoother.
Optimize Inventory Management
Equip a Fish Barrel or Fish Sack (from Tempoross) to extend AFK time. For methods like Barbarian Fishing, enable shift-drop to clear fish quickly without banking.
Leverage Tempoross Rewards
While not fully AFK, playing a few rounds of Tempoross can net you a Fish Barrel, Spirit Angler’s Outfit, and other items that enhance AFK fishing. It’s worth the effort for long-term gains.
Monitor Grand Exchange Prices
For profit-focused methods like Anglerfish or Karambwans, check GE prices regularly to ensure you’re selling at optimal times. Stack fish in the bank until prices peak.
With these AFK fishing methods, you can level up your Fishing skill in OSRS while barely breaking a sweat. Whether you’re after the coveted level 99 cape or a hefty stack of gold, Monkfish, Karambwans, Barbarian Fishing, and Anglerfish offer flexible options for every player. Grab your rod, find a cozy fishing spot, and let the XP roll in while you chill!