OSRS Fishing for Money Best Methods in 2025
Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet highly profitable skill that can net you millions of gold pieces (GP) while being mostly AFK. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) player or a pay-to-play (P2P) veteran, fishing offers a range of money-making methods that scale with your skill level. In this guide, we’ll explore the best fishing methods for maximizing GP in 2025, complete with requirements, gear, and profit estimates. Let’s dive into the waters of Gielinor and start reeling in the gold!
Fishing stands out as a low-effort skill that requires minimal investment and offers substantial returns. Most methods are AFK, allowing you to multitask, and the fish you catch are always in demand for cooking and combat. High-level fishing unlocks valuable catches like sharks and infernal eels, which fetch premium prices on the Grand Exchange. Plus, with the right gear and boosts, you can optimize both your XP and GP gains.
Key Benefits of Fishing for Money
- Low Investment: Basic tools like fishing nets or rods are cheap or reusable.
- Scalable Profits: Higher fishing levels unlock more lucrative fish.
- AFK-Friendly: Many methods require minimal clicking, perfect for long sessions.
- Market Demand: Fish are essential for cooking, ensuring steady prices.
Best P2P Fishing Money-Making Methods
Pay-to-play players have access to the most profitable fishing methods in OSRS. These methods typically require higher fishing levels and specific gear but offer impressive hourly GP rates. Below, we rank the top P2P fishing methods based on profitability, assuming optimal gear and high fishing levels (85+).
Catching Sacred Eels
Profit: ~371K GP/hour | XP: ~23K Fishing, ~26K Cooking/hour
Sacred eels, caught at Zul-Andra, are one of the most profitable fishing methods. After catching them with a fishing rod and bait, you dissect them with a knife to extract Zulrah’s scales, which sell for a high price. This method requires 87 Fishing and 72 Cooking (96 Cooking recommended for maximum scales).
- Requirements: Partial completion of Regicide quest, fishing rod, fishing bait, knife.
- Recommended Gear: Angler’s outfit (+2.5% XP), Rada’s Blessing 4 (8% chance for double fish).
- Location: Zul-Andra (use Zul-Andra teleport or fairy ring code BJS).
- Profit Tip: With 96 Cooking, you can dissect ~220 eels/hour, yielding ~1,540 scales (~371K GP after bait costs).
Catching Dark Crabs
Profit: ~350K GP/hour | XP: ~30K Fishing/hour
Dark crabs are caught in the Wilderness Resource Area, making this a riskier but highly rewarding method. At 85 Fishing, you can catch ~308 crabs/hour, which sell well due to their use in high-level cooking. The Wilderness Elite Diary significantly boosts profits by allowing noted crabs.
- Requirements: 85 Fishing, lobster pot, dark fishing bait, coins for noting (~15K/hour).
- Recommended Gear: Fish barrel (stores 28 crabs), defensive gear, slash weapon for webs.
- Location: Wilderness Resource Area (Edgeville lever teleport).
- Profit Tip: Use tick manipulation with the nearby golem for faster catches, but beware of PKers.
Catching Minnows
Profit: ~285K GP/hour | XP: ~39K Fishing/hour
Minnows, caught at the Fishing Guild’s minnow platform, are exchanged for raw sharks at a rate of 40 minnows per shark. This method is click-intensive due to moving fishing spots but requires no banking since minnows stack.
- Requirements: 82 Fishing, Angler’s outfit, Fishing Contest quest, small fishing net.
- Recommended Gear: Rada’s Blessing 4, spirit flakes (50% chance for double fish).
- Location: Fishing Guild (north of Ardougne).
- Profit Tip: Use RuneLite’s fishing plugin to highlight moving spots and avoid flying fish, which eat 16–26 minnows.
F2P Fishing Money-Making Methods
Free-to-play players have fewer options, but fishing lobsters and swordfish can still generate decent profits. These methods are slower and less lucrative than P2P but are accessible to all players.
Catching Lobsters
Profit: ~25K GP/hour | XP: ~30K Fishing/hour
Lobsters are the go-to money maker for F2P players at 40 Fishing. They’re in high demand for cooking and restore 12 hitpoints, making them a staple for combat.
- Requirements: 40 Fishing, lobster pot, 480 coins/hour for travel.
- Location: Musa Point, Karamja (bank at Port Sarim).
- Profit Tip: Cook lobsters for ~88K GP/hour and 156K Cooking XP/hour if you have 68 Cooking.
Catching Swordfish
Profit: ~18K GP/hour | XP: ~17K Fishing/hour
At 50 Fishing, F2P players can harpoon swordfish at Musa Point. While less profitable than lobsters, swordfish are a good alternative for variety.
- Requirements: 50 Fishing, harpoon, 480 coins/hour for travel.
- Location: Musa Point, Karamja.
- Profit Tip: Drop tuna to focus on swordfish for slightly higher GP/hour.
Essential Gear and Boosts for Fishing
To maximize your fishing profits, invest in the right gear and boosts. These items enhance your catch rates, XP, and efficiency, making your grind more rewarding.
Must-Have Fishing Gear
| Item | Effect | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Angler’s Outfit | +2.5% Fishing XP | Fishing Trawler minigame (10–20 hours) |
| Rada’s Blessing 4 | 8% chance for double fish | Elite Kourend & Kebos Diary |
| Fish Barrel | Stores 28 raw fish | Tempoross reward pool |
| Spirit Flakes | 50% chance for double fish | Tempoross reward pool |
Boosts for Early Access
- Admiral Pie: +5 Fishing level boost (e.g., access Fishing Guild at 63 instead of 68).
- Fishing Potion: +3 Fishing level boost (cheaper alternative for 65+ Fishing).
Tips to Optimize Your Fishing Money-Making
Whether you’re fishing sacred eels or lobsters, these pro tips will help you maximize your profits and efficiency.
General Tips for All Methods
- Use RuneLite: Plugins like the fishing plugin highlight spots and track catches, especially for minnows.
- Shift-Drop Fish: For XP-focused sessions, hold Shift and click to drop fish quickly.
- Bank Strategically: Choose spots near banks (e.g., Fishing Guild, Piscatoris) to reduce travel time.
- Combine with Cooking: Cooking your catches (e.g., lobsters, sharks) often increases profits and grants Cooking XP.
Method-Specific Tips
- Sacred Eels: Train Cooking to 96 for maximum Zulrah scale yields.
- Dark Crabs: Carry a lockpick and Saradomin brews to escape PKers in the Wilderness.
- Minnows: React quickly to flying fish to minimize minnow losses.
- F2P Methods: Use the GPU plugin on RuneLite to click the customs officer directly from Musa Point.
Which Fishing Method Should You Choose?
Choosing the best fishing method depends on your Fishing level, membership status, and risk tolerance. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
| Method | Fishing Level | GP/Hour | Risk Level | AFK Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Eels | 87 | 371K | Low | High |
| Dark Crabs | 85 | 350K | High | High |
| Minnows | 82 | 285K | Low | Low |
| Lobsters (F2P) | 40 | 25K | Low | High |
| Swordfish (F2P) | 50 | 18K | Low | High |
For P2P players, sacred eels are the top choice for high profits and low risk, while dark crabs offer similar GP with added danger. Minnows are ideal for ironmen needing sharks. F2P players should stick to lobsters for steady, low-level profits. Whichever method you choose, fishing in OSRS is a reliable way to build your bank while enjoying a chill grind. Cast your line and start stacking that GP!