OSRS Fishing and Cooking Training Guide for Efficient Leveling

OSRS Fishing and Cooking Training Guide for Efficient Leveling

Old School RuneScape (OSRS) offers a rich skilling experience, and training Fishing and Cooking together is a fantastic way to level two complementary skills efficiently. This guide dives into the best methods, locations, and strategies to maximize your Fishing and Cooking gains, whether you’re aiming for 99 or just looking to progress steadily. By combining these skills, you can turn your catches into cooked food, earning experience in both while preparing useful items for combat or profit.

Fishing and Cooking go hand-in-hand in OSRS because most fish you catch can be cooked for Cooking experience. This synergy saves inventory space, reduces banking trips, and lets you multitask. Plus, cooked fish are valuable for training combat skills or selling for profit. Whether you’re a new player or a veteran, training these skills together is time-efficient and rewarding.

Benefits of Combined Training

  • Dual XP Gains: Earn experience in two skills simultaneously.
  • Resource Efficiency: Use caught fish directly for Cooking, minimizing waste.
  • Profit Potential: Cooked fish like lobsters and sharks sell well on the Grand Exchange.
  • Combat Support: Cooked food is essential for PvM and other high-risk activities.

Prerequisites for Training

Before diving in, ensure you have the following:

  • Basic equipment (fishing rods, nets, harpoons, etc., depending on the method).
  • Access to key locations like Fishing Guild or Catherby.
  • Optional: Cooking gauntlets from the Family Crest quest to reduce burn rates.
  • Some gold for supplies or teleports to speed up training.

Best Fishing Training Methods

Fishing in OSRS offers various methods depending on your level, goals, and playstyle. Below, we outline the most efficient methods to level Fishing, focusing on those that pair well with Cooking training.

Levels 1–20: Shrimp and Anchovies

Start with a small fishing net at Draynor Village or Lumbridge. Catch shrimp and anchovies for quick early levels. These spots are close to banks, making it easy to store fish for Cooking later.

Levels 20–40: Trout and Salmon

Switch to fly fishing at Barbarian Village or Lumbridge. Use a fly fishing rod and feathers to catch trout and salmon. This method is fast and provides fish that yield decent Cooking XP.

Levels 40–70: Lobsters

At level 40, move to Catherby or the Fishing Guild to catch lobsters using a lobster pot. Lobsters are profitable and provide solid XP, making them a staple for mid-level training.

  • XP/Hour: ~30,000–40,000
  • Recommended Spot: Catherby (bank and range nearby for Cooking).
  • Equipment: Lobster pot.

Levels 70–99: Monkfish and Sharks

For higher levels, catch monkfish (requires Swan Song quest) at Piscatoris Fishing Colony or sharks at the Fishing Guild. Monkfish offer great XP, while sharks are slower but more profitable.

  • Monkfish XP/Hour: ~35,000–45,000
  • Shark XP/Hour: ~20,000–30,000
  • Recommended Spot: Piscatoris (monkfish) or Fishing Guild (sharks).
  • Equipment: Small fishing net (monkfish) or harpoon (sharks).

Best Cooking Training Methods

Cooking is straightforward but requires attention to burn rates and efficient setups. By cooking the fish you catch, you can level up quickly while producing useful food.

Choosing the Right Cooking Location

The best Cooking spots have a range or fire close to a bank to minimize travel time. Top locations include:

Burn Rates and Cooking Gauntlets

Burn rates decrease as your Cooking level increases, but wearing Cooking gauntlets significantly reduces burns for lobsters, monkfish, and sharks. Complete the Family Crest quest to unlock these.

Fish Cooking Level (No Burns) With Gauntlets
Trout 50 N/A
Salmon 58 N/A
Lobster 74 64
Monkfish 90 82
Shark 94 89

Cooking XP per Fish

Different fish yield varying Cooking XP. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Shrimp: 30 XP
  • Trout: 70 XP
  • Salmon: 90 XP
  • Lobster: 120 XP
  • Monkfish: 150 XP
  • Shark: 210 XP

Combining Fishing and Cooking for Maximum Efficiency

To optimize your training, follow these steps to combine Fishing and Cooking seamlessly:

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Fish at a Convenient Spot: Choose a location like Catherby, where you can fish and cook nearby (e.g., lobsters).
  2. Cook on the Spot: Use a range or fire to cook your catches immediately, banking only when necessary.
  3. Bank Efficiently: Deposit cooked fish and restock supplies quickly at nearby banks.
  4. Use Boosts: Equip the Fishing or Cooking skillcape (if 99) for perks, or use Admiral Pie (+5 Fishing boost) for access to higher-level fish early.
  5. Track Progress: Monitor XP rates to ensure you’re on track for your goals.

AFK vs. Active Training

Fishing is relatively AFK, especially for lobsters and sharks, allowing you to multitask. Cooking, however, requires more attention to avoid burning. If you prefer AFK methods, stick to lower-level fish like trout until you have Cooking gauntlets or a high enough level to avoid burns.

Tips for Faster Progression and Profit

Maximize your efficiency and make some gold with these additional tips:

Boosting Fishing Levels

Use temporary boosts to access better fish early:

Saving Time with Teleports

Use teleports to reduce travel time:

  • Catherby Teleport: Lunar spellbook or tablet.
  • Fishing Guild Teleport: Skills necklace or spirit tree (if unlocked).
  • Piscatoris Teleport: Western Provinces Diary or fairy ring (code AKQ).

Profit from Cooked Fish

Sell high-value fish like lobsters, monkfish, and sharks on the Grand Exchange. Prices fluctuate, but here’s an approximate guide (as of 2025):

Fish Raw Price (GP) Cooked Price (GP)
Lobster ~150 ~200
Monkfish ~350 ~400
Shark ~800 ~900

Avoiding Burnout

Skilling can be repetitive, so mix up methods or take breaks with minigames like Fishing Trawler for variety. The Trawler also rewards the Angler’s Outfit, which gives a 2.5% Fishing XP boost.

By following this guide, you’ll efficiently level Fishing and Cooking in OSRS while enjoying the process. Whether you’re aiming for 99, stocking up on food, or making gold, these methods will set you on the right path. Happy skilling!