OSRS Fishing Leveling Guide

OSRS Fishing Leveling Guide

Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a relaxing yet rewarding skill that opens doors to quests, money-making methods, and valuable resources like food for combat. Whether you’re aiming for the Fishing Skillcape at level 99 or just want to unlock key milestones, this guide covers the fastest and most efficient ways to level up. From early quests to advanced techniques like tick manipulation, we’ll walk you through every step to make your fishing journey smooth and enjoyable.

Fishing isn’t just about catching fish—it’s a gateway to progressing your account. Higher fishing levels unlock essential quests, provide food for bossing or slayer, and even offer profitable methods like catching minnows. Plus, it’s one of the most AFK-friendly skills, perfect for players who want to multitask or relax while training.

Key Benefits of Fishing

  • Quest Requirements: Level 53 for Barrows Gloves, 62 for the Quest Cape, and 96 for the Achievement Diary Cape.
  • Money-Making: Methods like minnows or monkfish can net millions of GP.
  • Ironman Utility: Provides a reliable food source for PvM and slayer tasks.
  • AFK Training: Many methods require minimal clicking, ideal for casual play.

Early Levels (1-33): Questing for a Head Start

OSRS 199 Complete Fishing Guide Fastest way to 99 OSRS Guide

The fastest way to kick off your fishing journey is by completing quests that reward fishing experience. These quests bypass the slow early grind and get you to level 33 in under two hours, assuming you meet the requirements.

Recommended Quests

Quest Fishing XP Level Reached Requirements
Sea Slug 7,125 1 to 24 30 Firemaking
Fishing Contest 2,437 24 to 27 10 Fishing
Freeing Pirate Pete (Recipe for Disaster) 1,000 27 to 28 31 Cooking, medium combat
Tai Bwo Wannai Trio 5,000 28 to 32 30 Cooking, 15 Agility, 5 Fishing
The Fremennik Trials 2,812 32 to 33 25 Fletching, 40 Woodcutting, 40 Crafting

Pro Tip: Complete these quests as early as possible. Sea Slug alone is faster than fishing shrimp or anchovies from level 1 to 24.

Tips for Questing

  • Check the OSRS Wiki for detailed quest guides to save time.
  • Prepare required items in advance to streamline the process.
  • If combat is an issue, team up with friends or high-level players for assistance.

Levels 20-58: Fly Fishing for Fast XP

Once you hit level 20, fly fishing becomes the go-to method for rapid experience gains until level 58. This method involves catching trout and salmon at spots like Barbarian Village or Lumbridge’s River Lum.

How to Fly Fish

You’ll need a fly fishing rod (buy from Port Sarim or Gerrant’s Fishy Business) and feathers as bait (available at fishing shops or the Grand Exchange). Head to a fly fishing spot, click to fish, and drop your catches to maximize XP rates.

Experience Rates

  • Level 20: ~15,000 XP/hour (trout only).
  • Level 30: ~25,000 XP/hour (trout and salmon).
  • Level 50: ~35,000 XP/hour.

Advanced Technique: Use 3-tick manipulation to boost rates up to 60,000 XP/hour at higher levels. This involves performing a quick action (like using a knife on logs) to cancel fishing animations, but it requires practice and precise clicking.

Best Fly Fishing Spots

Levels 35-99: Tempoross for Fast and Fun XP

At level 35, you unlock Tempoross, a skilling boss similar to Wintertodt. This minigame offers the fastest fishing XP in the game, especially if you don’t cook the fish, and it’s engaging with decent rewards.

How to Play Tempoross

Tempoross is located at the Ruins of Unkah. You’ll need a harpoon (or better, like a dragon harpoon) and optionally weight-reducing gear for mobility. The goal is to catch fish, load them into cannons, and subdue Tempoross while managing hazards like waves or fires.

  • Strategy: Catch fish until your inventory is full, then deposit them at cannons. Avoid cooking fish to maximize XP.
  • Rewards: Earn points for loot like the fish barrel (stores 28 raw fish) or spirit angler outfit.

Experience Rates

  • Level 35: ~30,000 XP/hour.
  • Level 50: ~50,000 XP/hour.
  • Level 70: ~70,000 XP/hour.
  • Level 99: Up to 100,000 XP/hour with offe with tick manipulation.

Note: Rates depend on your focus and whether you solo or play in a group. Solo runs yield higher XP but require more effort.

Tempoross Tips

  • Use a crystal harpoon for the fastest catch rates (35% faster than a regular harpoon).
  • Wear the angler outfit for a 2.5% XP boost, obtainable from Fishing Trawler or Aerial Fishing.
  • Bring stamina potions to maintain run energy during the minigame.

Levels 58-99: Barbarian Fishing for Max Efficiency

From level 58, Barbarian Fishing becomes one of the best methods for reaching 99, offering high XP rates and minor Agility and Strength XP as a bonus. It’s intense but unmatched for speed.

Getting Started with Barbarian Fishing

Speak to Otto Godblessed near Baxtorian Falls to start Barbarian Training. You’ll need a barbarian rod (provided by Otto) and bait like feathers or fish offcuts. Fish at the lake south of the Barbarian Outpost for leaping trout, salmon, and sturgeon.

Experience Rates

  • Level 58: ~40,000 XP/hour (leaping salmon).
  • Level 70: ~60,000 XP/hour (leaping sturgeon).
  • Level 99: Up to 110,000 XP/hour with 3-tick manipulation.

Warning: 3-tick Barbarian Fishing is click-intensive and requires dropping fish, as there’s no nearby bank. It’s not profitable but ideal for pure XP grinding.

Barbarian Fishing Tips

  • Practice 3-tick manipulation with a knife and logs for maximum XP.
  • Use an admiral pie (+5 Fishing boost) to access higher-tier fish early.
  • Consider banking fish for Cooking XP if you’re not focused solely on Fishing.

Optional Methods for Variety

If you want a break from the main grind or prefer profit over XP, try these alternatives:

Drift Net Fishing (Levels 47-99)

Requires 47 Fishing, 44 Hunter, and Bone Voyage completion. Set up nets underwater on Fossil Island to catch fish shoals, gaining both Fishing and Hunter XP.

  • XP Rates: ~77,000 Fishing XP/hour at level 70+.
  • Cost: Drift nets cost ~294,000 GP/hour, offset by fish sales.

Monkfish (Levels 62-99)

After completing Swan Song, fish monkfish at Piscatoris Fishing Colony for decent XP and profit.

  • XP Rates: ~33,000-42,000 XP/hour.
  • Profit: Up to 600,000 GP/hour.

Minnows (Levels 82-99)

Requires full angler outfit and Fishing Contest. Catch minnows at the Fishing Guild for raw sharks, offering high profit but lower XP.

  • XP Rates: ~40,000 XP/hour.
  • Profit: Up to 1,000,000 GP/hour.

Final Tip: Mix methods based on your goals. Tempoross and Barbarian Fishing are best for XP, while monkfish and minnows suit profit-focused players. With dedication, you’ll be rocking the Fishing Skillcape in no time!