Your cart is empty
OSRS How to Catch Trout A Beginners Guide to Fly Fishing Success

Catching trout in Old School RuneScape is one of those simple joys that gets you hooked on the fishing skill early on. As someone who’s spent countless hours grinding levels in OSRS, I remember my first time nabbing those slippery fish like it was yesterday. It felt rewarding, especially when you’re just starting out and every bit of experience counts. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about catching trout, from the basics to some pro tips I’ve picked up over the years. Whether you’re a total noob or looking to refresh your memory, stick around we’ll make this fun and straightforward.
First off, why bother with trout? They’re a solid mid-tier fish that bridge the gap between low-level shrimp and the more advanced stuff like lobsters. Plus, they cook up nicely for some quick healing food. I used to stockpile them during my early quests, and trust me, they saved my butt more than once in combat situations.
Before you even think about casting your line, let’s talk requirements. You don’t need to be some high-level angler to catch trout, which is why it’s perfect for beginners.
Fishing Level and Experience
To catch trout, you’ll need at least level 20 in Fishing. That’s not too bad you can get there pretty quick by starting with shrimp or sardines near Lumbridge. Each trout you catch gives you 50 Fishing XP, which adds up nicely if you’re patient. Have you ever wondered how long it takes to hit level 20? Well, from scratch, it might take a couple of hours if you’re focused. I zipped through those early levels while chatting with friends in-game, making it feel like no time at all.
Essential Equipment
Here’s where it gets practical. You can’t just use any old rod for trout. You’ll need a fly fishing rod and some feathers as bait. The rod costs next to nothing you can grab one from the fishing shop in Port Sarim for about 5 coins, or snag it off the Grand Exchange if you’re lazy like I sometimes am. Feathers? They’re dirt cheap, often under 5 coins each, and you’ll need one per catch attempt.
Don’t forget about inventory space. Trout stack up fast, so bring a knife if you plan to cook them on the spot, or just bank them regularly. I learned the hard way once when my inventory overflowed during a long session, and I had to drop half my haul. Ouch.
What if you’re short on cash? No worries. Feathers drop from chickens, so head to a farm and kill a few. It’s a two-birds-one-stone deal you get feathers and maybe some raw chicken for cooking practice.
Best Spots to Catch Trout in OSRS
Location is everything in fishing. Not all spots are created equal, and picking the right one can make your grinding session way more efficient.
Barbarian Village The Classic Choice
This is my go-to spot for trout, hands down. It’s right in the heart of the map, easy to reach from Varrock or Edgeville. The river there has lure/bait spots where you can fly fish for trout (and salmon once you hit level 30). Why do I love it? It’s free-to-play friendly, close to a bank in Edgeville, and there’s usually a fire nearby for cooking.
I remember camping here for hours back in my noob days, listening to the game’s ambient sounds while my character auto-fished. The barbarians wandering around add a bit of flavor, but they’re not aggressive unless you poke them. Just set up, click the spot, and let the magic happen.
Lumbridge River For Easy Access
If you’re super low-level and don’t want to trek far, the Lumbridge River is another option. It’s right by the castle, so teleport there with a home tele if you’ve got the runes. The spots are similar lure and bait but expect a bit more competition from other players sometimes.
Is it better than Barbarian Village? Not REALLY, because the bank is farther away, but it’s great if you’re multitasking with other skills like woodcutting nearby.
Other Hidden Gems
- Shilo Village: Requires completing the Shilo Village quest, but it’s worth it for members. Fewer crowds, and you can catch trout alongside karambwan if you’re feeling adventurous.
- Seers’ Village: Another members spot with camelot tele access. It’s peaceful, and the bank is super close.
Pro tip: Avoid spots like the Fishing Guild until you’re higher level; they’re overkill for trout.
Here’s a quick table comparing the top spots:
Spot | Accessibility | Bank Proximity | Crowdedness | Recommended For |
---|---|---|---|---|
Barbarian Village | Free-to-play | Close (Edgeville) | Medium | Beginners |
Lumbridge River | Free-to-play | Moderate | High | Quick sessions |
Shilo Village | Members only | Close | Low | Efficient grinding |
Seers’ Village | Members only | Very close | Low | Members leveling up |
Pick based on your membership status and how far you’re willing to walk.
Step-by-Step Guide to Catching Trout
Alright, let’s break this down like I’m walking you through it in-game. Imagine us standing by the river in Barbarian Village, rod in hand.
- Gear Up: Buy or grab your fly fishing rod and a stack of feathers. Aim for at least 1,000 feathers if you’re planning a long haul they go quick.
- Travel There: Run from Lumbridge or Varrock. If you’re a member, use a skills necklace or something fancy.
- Find the Spot: Look for the bubbling water that says “Lure” when you right-click. That’s your target.
- Start Fishing: Right-click the spot, select “Lure,” and watch your character go to work. Each attempt uses one feather, successful or not.
- Handle Catches: Trout will fill your inventory. At level 30 Fishing, you’ll start getting salmon too, which give 70 XP each bonus!
- Bank or Cook: When full, bank in Edgeville or cook on a nearby fire. Trout cook at level 15 Cooking, healing 7 HP each.
Simple, right? But here’s where patience comes in. Fishing can be click-intensive at first, but once you get the rhythm, it’s zen-like. I used to alt-tab to watch videos while fishing, but don’t tell anyone.
What happens if you run out of feathers mid-session? Panic? Nah, just hop to a world with a nearby shop or teleport back. I’ve done that more times than I can count.
Tips and Tricks from Years of OSRS Fishing
As an OSRS player who’s hit 99 Fishing twice once on my main and once on an ironman I have some insider secrets to share. Fishing isn’t just about clicking; it’s about optimizing your time.
First, always wear the best fishing outfit you can. The angler’s outfit from Fishing Trawler boosts XP by up to 2.5%, but that’s for later levels. For trout, it’s not essential, but if you have it, why not?
Second, combine fishing with other activities. At Barbarian Village, you can train Prayer by burying bones from nearby skeletons or even fight the barbarians for Combat XP. Multi-skilling keeps things fresh.
Ever tried fishing during a double XP weekend? It’s INSANE how fast levels fly by. I gained like 10 levels in one day once, all from trout and salmon.
For ironmen, this is a staple method. You can’t buy feathers easily, so farm them from chickens or buy from shops. It’s grindy, but rewarding when you cook your own food for bossing.
Avoid bots. Spots sometimes get infested, but report them and hop worlds. Nothing ruins a session like competing with scripts.
Here’s a list of common FAQs I get from new players:
- Can I catch trout without members? Yes, totally free-to-play.
- What’s the catch rate? Around 100-150 per hour at level 20, improving as you level.
- Do I need bait other than feathers? Nope, feathers are it for fly fishing.
- Is there a faster way? Barbarian fishing at higher levels, but that’s for leaping trout, not regular.
Small tip: Use the “drop trick” if banking is far drop cooked fish to free space, but only if you’re not ironman.
Longer sessions pay off. I once fished for 8 hours straight, banking every 28 catches. By the end, I had thousands of trout and hit level 50. The key is breaks stretch your wrists, folks.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Newbies mess up in funny ways, and I’ve been there. One biggie: Using the wrong rod. If you try netting or harpooning, you’ll get nothing but frustration. Stick to fly fishing rod only.
Another: Forgetting to check your level. If you’re under 20, you’ll just waste feathers. Always hover over the skill icon.
Inventory management is key. Don’t let it fill with junk bring only essentials.
What about burning fish while cooking? Start with a range if possible; fires are riskier. I burned so many trout early on, it was embarrassing.
Lastly, don’t fish in dangerous areas without food. Some spots have aggressive mobs, but for trout, it’s chill.
Leveling Up and Making Gold from Trout
Trout aren’t just for XP; they’re useful. Cook them for food, sell raw on GE for about 50-100 coins each, or use in quests like Cook’s Assistant indirectly.
For power-leveling, stick to trout/salmon until level 58 for lobsters. The XP per hour is decent: around 20k-30k at mid-levels.
If you’re into money-making, catching and cooking them can net small profits, but it’s not the best. Better for self-sufficiency.
Table of XP progression:
Level Range | Fish | XP per Catch | Approx. XP/Hour |
---|---|---|---|
20-30 | Trout | 50 | 15k-20k |
30-50 | Trout/Salmon | 50/70 | 25k-35k |
50+ | Move to lobsters | Varies | Higher |
See? Steady progress.
Advanced Strategies for Trout Masters
Once you’re comfy, try barbarian fishing. At level 35 Agility and 15 Strength, you can barehand fish leaping trout in Otto’s Grotto. It’s faster XP and gives Strength/Agility too. I switched to this on my ironman and never looked back.
Members can use fishing potions for a temporary boost if under-leveled.
Events like Tempoross add variety, but for pure trout, stick to rivers.
Question: Tired of the grind? Join a clan and fish together. Makes it social.
I’ve hosted fishing parties where we compete for most catches. Fun times.
Wrapping It Up Your Trout Adventure Awaits
There you have it a full rundown on catching trout in OSRS. From my experience, it’s a relaxing way to build your skills without much risk. Start small, build up, and soon you’ll be tackling sharks or whatever.
Got questions? Drop them in the comments. Happy fishing, adventurers! Remember, persistence pays off in RuneScape.