OSRS Fishing Money Making Guide: Best Methods for 2025

Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is more than just a relaxing skill—it’s a goldmine for players looking to make consistent profits. Whether you’re a free-to-play (F2P) newbie or a pay-to-play (P2P) veteran, this OSRS fishing money making guide will walk you through the best methods to stack your GP in 2025. With updated strategies, low-competition tips, and practical advice, you’ll discover how to turn your fishing rod into a money-making machine. Let’s dive into the top methods, requirements, and profit potential!

Fishing stands out as one of the most accessible and AFK-friendly skills in OSRS. It requires minimal gear, offers decent XP rates, and provides resources that are always in demand—think food for PvM or raw fish for cooking. Unlike combat-based money makers, fishing lets you earn GP with low risk and little effort, making it perfect for casual players or those multitasking. In 2025, with a thriving player base and stable economy, fishing remains a reliable way to build wealth.

The Appeal of AFK Money Making

Fishing’s semi-AFK nature is a huge draw. You can cast your line, step away for a few minutes, and come back to a full inventory of valuable fish. This makes it ideal for players who want to earn GP while studying, working, or even watching a show.

Market Demand for Fish

Fish like sharks, anglerfish, and monkfish are staples in the OSRS economy. They’re used for healing in boss fights, Slayer tasks, and PvP, ensuring a steady demand on the Grand Exchange (GE). High-level fish often fetch premium prices, boosting your profits as your fishing level climbs.

Best F2P Fishing Money Making Methods

OSRS Fishing Money Making Guide NovaMMO

For free-to-play players, fishing offers solid money-making opportunities despite the limited options. These methods are beginner-friendly and require little to no investment, making them perfect for new accounts looking to fund their first membership bond.

Lobster Fishing (Level 40+)

Lobsters are the go-to F2P fishing method for profit. You’ll need a lobster pot and level 40 Fishing to get started.

Location: Musa Point (Karamja) or Catherby (after unlocking travel routes).
Profit: Around 20K–30K GP per hour.
How It Works: Catch lobsters, bank them at the deposit box on Karamja (30 coins per trip), and sell on the GE.
Tip: Bring coins for the boat ride or use the Explorer’s Ring to teleport near a bank.

This method is low-effort and scales well as you catch faster with higher levels.

Swordfish and Tuna Fishing (Level 50+)

At level 50 Fishing, you can use a harpoon to catch swordfish and tuna, offering a slight profit bump over lobsters.

Location: Musa Point (Karamja).
Profit: Approximately 15K–25K GP per hour.
How It Works: Harpoon at the fishing spots, banking every trip. Swordfish are worth more, but you’ll catch more tuna at lower levels.
Tip: Cook the fish if you have 45+ Cooking to boost profits slightly.

It’s a slower grind, but the variety keeps it interesting for F2P players.

Top P2P Fishing Money Making Methods

Pay-to-play unlocks a treasure trove of lucrative fishing methods. These require higher levels and sometimes specific gear or quests, but the rewards are worth it. Here are the best P2P options for 2025.

Monkfish Fishing (Level 62+)

Monkfish are a fan favorite for their balance of profit and XP. You’ll need to complete the Swan Song quest to access Piscatoris Fishing Colony.

Requirements: Level 62 Fishing, small fishing net.
Location: Piscatoris Fishing Colony (teleport with Piscatoris teleport).
Profit: 100K–150K GP per hour.
XP: 20K–30K per hour.
Tip: Use the bank nearby to maximize efficiency.

This method is moderately AFK and great for mid-level players building their bank.

Anglerfish Fishing (Level 82+)

Anglerfish offer high profits and decent XP, making them a top choice for advanced players. You’ll need 100% Piscarilius favor in Kourend.

Requirements: Level 82 Fishing, fishing rod, sandworms.
Location: Port Piscarilius (northeast shore).
Profit: 200K–250K GP per hour.
XP: 15K–20K per hour.
Tip: Buy sandworms from Tynan’s Fishing Supplies to save GP over GE prices.

It’s highly AFK, and the fish’s value as a PvM food source keeps prices stable.

Minnow Fishing (Level 82+)

Minnows trade raw sharks for your efforts, requiring more attention but offering big rewards. You’ll need the Angler’s outfit from Fishing Trawler.

Requirements: Level 82 Fishing, small fishing net, Angler’s outfit.
Location: Fishing Guild (minnow platform).
Profit: 300K–400K GP per hour (at 90+ Fishing).
XP: 30K–40K per hour.
Tip: Trade minnows with Kylie Minnow at a 40:1 ratio for raw sharks.

The fishing spots move every 15 seconds, so it’s less AFK but highly profitable.

High-Level Fishing Methods for Maximum Profit

For players with 85+ Fishing, these methods push your earnings to the next level. They often involve risk or rare resources, but the GP per hour is unmatched.

Dark Crab Fishing (Level 85+)

Dark crabs are a wilderness-based money maker, offering high profits with some risk from PKers.

Requirements: Level 85 Fishing, lobster pot, dark fishing bait, Wilderness Elite Diary (recommended).
Location: Resource Area (Wilderness).
Profit: 300K–350K GP per hour.
XP: 25K–30K per hour.
Tip: Bring defensive gear and a slash weapon to cut webs for quick escapes.

The spots don’t move, making it AFK-friendly, but stay alert for player killers.

Sacred Eel Fishing (Level 87+)

Sacred eels yield Zulrah’s scales, a valuable PvM resource. You’ll need to complete parts of the Regicide quest.

Requirements: Level 87 Fishing, 72+ Cooking, fishing rod, bait, knife.
Location: Zul-Andra.
Profit: 350K–400K GP per hour.
XP: 20K–25K Fishing, 25K–30K Cooking per hour.
Tip: Higher Cooking levels increase scale yield per eel.

It’s a low-intensity method with stackable scales, eliminating banking trips.

Tips to Boost Your Fishing Profits

Maximize your earnings with these practical tips and gear upgrades. Small changes can make a big difference in your hourly GP.

Essential Gear and Boosts

Angler’s Outfit: Earned from Fishing Trawler, it boosts XP by 2.5% and unlocks minnow fishing.
Rada’s Blessing: From Kourend & Kebos Diary, it gives a 2%–8% chance to catch double fish.
Dragon Harpoon: Speeds up harpoon fishing (e.g., sharks or swordfish) with its special attack.
Spirit Flakes: 50% chance for an extra fish without extra XP—great for profit-focused runs.

Efficient Banking and Selling

Use nearby banks (e.g., Piscatoris for monkfish) or stackable items (e.g., scales from sacred eels) to cut downtime. Check GE prices daily—fish prices fluctuate, so sell during peak demand, like after major updates.

Combining Fishing with Other Skills

Cook your fish for Cooking XP and extra profit (e.g., anglerfish or monkfish). Pair fishing with Agility via Barbarian Fishing if you’re leveling multiple skills, though this sacrifices some profit potential.

Method	Fishing Level	Profit (GP/Hour)	XP (Fishing/Hour)	AFK Level
Lobsters (F2P)	40	20K–30K	10K–15K	High
Monkfish	62	100K–150K	20K–30K	Moderate
Anglerfish	82	200K–250K	15K–20K	High
Minnows	82	300K–400K	30K–40K	Low
Dark Crabs	85	300K–350K	25K–30K	Moderate
Sacred Eels	87	350K–400K	20K–25K	High

Final Thoughts on Fishing for GP in OSRS

Fishing in OSRS is a versatile and profitable skill that caters to all playstyles. F2P players can start with lobsters, while P2P players can scale up to dark crabs or sacred eels for serious GP. Whether you prefer AFK methods like anglerfish or active grinds like minnows, there’s a fishing strategy for you in 2025. Invest in the right gear, pick a method that matches your level, and watch your bank grow. Tight lines, and happy fishing!