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OSRS How to Catch Trout A Complete Guide

Fly fishing for trout in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fantastic way to level up your Fishing skill, especially for free-to-play (F2P) players. Trout are accessible at level 20 Fishing, offer decent experience, and can be cooked for additional Cooking XP. This guide covers everything you need to know about catching trout, including requirements, equipment, locations, strategies, and tips to maximize efficiency. Whether you’re aiming for level 99 Fishing or just looking to stock up on trout, this SEO-optimized guide has you covered.
Before you start fly fishing for trout, ensure you meet the basic requirements. These are straightforward, making trout fishing an excellent early-game activity for both F2P and pay-to-play (P2P) players.
Fishing Level
You need at least level 20 Fishing to catch raw trout, which grants 50 Fishing XP per catch. If you’re below level 20, consider fishing shrimp or sardines to reach this threshold quickly.
Equipment Needed
Fly fishing for trout requires specific gear, but it’s inexpensive and easy to obtain:
- Fly Fishing Rod: Purchase from fishing shops like Gerrant’s in Port Sarim or the Grand Exchange for around 100-200 GP.
- Feathers: Used as bait, feathers cost about 2-5 GP each. Buy them in bulk from the Grand Exchange, fishing shops, or collect them from chickens. You’ll need one feather per fish caught.
Optional Items
While not mandatory, these items can enhance your fishing experience:
- Admiral Pie: Boosts Fishing by +5 levels, allowing you to catch trout at level 15. Useful for early-game players or those using tick manipulation.
- Angler’s Outfit: P2P players can obtain this from the Fishing Trawler minigame for a 2.5% Fishing XP boost.
- Games Necklace: Teleports you near Barbarian Village for faster access to fishing spots.
Best Locations for Fly Fishing Trout
Trout are caught at Lure/Bait fishing spots in rivers across Gielinor. The best spots balance proximity to banks, accessibility, and catch rates. Below are the top locations for F2P and P2P players.
Barbarian Village (F2P)
Located just west of Varrock, Barbarian Village is the go-to spot for F2P players. The River Lum has multiple fishing spots near the bridge, making it easy to spot other players fishing. It’s close to Edgeville bank for banking fish, and nearby trees allow for fire-making to cook catches on the spot.
Lumbridge (F2P)
In the center of Lumbridge, the River Lum offers fishing spots on the eastern side, opposite Lumbridge Castle. This spot is ideal for new players due to its proximity to the Lumbridge cooking range, which reduces burn rates by 10% when cooking trout. The nearest bank is at the Combat Academy or Lumbridge Castle’s top floor for F2P players.
Shilo Village (P2P)
After completing the Shilo Village quest, P2P players can fish in the river running through Shilo Village. This spot is the closest to a bank, making it ideal for banking fish. However, fishing spots are spread out unless you have 74 Agility for the shortcut.
Seers’ Village (P2P)
A small lake above the Seers’ Village bank offers convenient fishing spots for P2P players. It’s slightly farther from the bank than Shilo Village but requires no quest and is accessible with one click from the bank.
How to Catch Trout Step-by-Step
Fly fishing for trout is simple but can be optimized for better XP or profit. Follow these steps to get started and improve your efficiency.
Step 1: Gather Equipment
Buy a fly fishing rod and at least 1,000 feathers from the Grand Exchange or a fishing shop. If you’re low on GP, kill chickens for feathers while gaining some early Combat XP.
Step 2: Choose a Fishing Spot
Head to Barbarian Village (F2P) or Shilo Village (P2P) for the best balance of XP and convenience. Use a Games Necklace to teleport to the Barbarian Outpost for quick access to Barbarian Village.
Step 3: Start Fly Fishing
Click the Lure option on a Lure/Bait fishing spot with your fly fishing rod and feathers in your inventory. You’ll catch raw trout (and raw salmon at level 30) at a ratio of approximately 58% trout to 42% salmon. Each catch consumes one feather.
Step 4: Manage Inventory
You have three options for handling caught fish:
- Drop Fish: Drop trout and salmon to maximize Fishing XP rates (up to 45,000 XP/hour at higher levels).
- Bank Fish: Bank at Edgeville (Barbarian Village) or Shilo Village bank for profit. Expect 55,000 GP/hour at level 55 Fishing.
- Cook Fish: Cook trout on a fire or range for 70 Cooking XP per fish (77 XP on a bonfire). Use Lumbridge’s range to reduce burning until level 49 Cooking.
Maximizing Efficiency with Tick Manipulation
For players seeking the fastest XP rates, tick manipulation can significantly boost your fly fishing efficiency. This advanced technique tricks the game into granting fish every 3 ticks (1.8 seconds) instead of 5 ticks (3 seconds).
What is Tick Manipulation?
OSRS operates on a 0.6-second tick system. Normally, fly fishing checks for a catch every 5 ticks. By performing another action (like using a herb on swamp tar) during fishing, you can reset the tick cycle to 3 ticks, increasing catch rates.
How to Perform 3-Tick Fishing
To 3-tick fish for trout, you’ll need additional items:
- Herb and Swamp Tar: Combine these for 3-tick cycles. Guam leaf and swamp tar are cheap options.
- Pestle and Mortar: Required to use the herb on tar.
- Axe and Tinderbox: For F2P players, chop logs and light a fire to cook fish, then eat them for tick manipulation.
Steps:
- Click the fishing spot to start fishing.
- Immediately use a herb on swamp tar to trigger a 3-tick action.
- Repeat, ensuring you alternate between fishing and the 3-tick action.
XP Rates with 3-Tick Fishing:
Fishing Level | XP/Hour (3-Tick) |
---|---|
20 | 23,000 |
30 | 45,000 |
40 | 53,000 |
50 | 61,000 |
60 | 68,000 |
Note: 3-tick fishing is click-intensive and requires practice. For a more relaxed experience, stick to standard fly fishing or AFK methods like Barbarian Fishing at level 48.
Tips and Tricks for Catching Trout
Here are additional strategies to make your trout fishing journey smoother and more rewarding:
Quest Boosts
Complete the Sea Slug quest (requires 30 Firemaking) to jump to level 24 Fishing, bypassing early shrimp and sardine grinding. This is especially helpful for ironman accounts.
Profit Strategies
Banking trout and salmon can yield decent profit. At level 55 Fishing, expect around 55,000 GP/hour by banking at Edgeville or Shilo Village. Alternatively, sell cooked trout for a small profit, especially if you have high Cooking levels to avoid burning.
Barbarian Fishing Alternative
At level 48 Fishing, 15 Agility, and 15 Strength, start Barbarian Fishing at Otto’s Grotto for leaping trout. This method offers Fishing, Strength, and Agility XP, making it a great alternative for P2P players. Use a barbarian rod and feathers, and consider 3-tick methods for up to 60,000 XP/hour at higher levels.
Use the Right Spot
Stick to Barbarian Village or Shilo Village for the best balance of XP and profit. Avoid overcrowded spots during peak hours to reduce competition for fishing spots.
Cook for Dual Skilling
Combine Fishing and Cooking by cooking trout on a fire or range. This is ideal for F2P players in Lumbridge, where the range reduces burn rates. Cooked trout restore 7 Hitpoints, making them useful for early-game combat.
Final Thoughts
Catching trout in OSRS is a rewarding and accessible way to train Fishing, especially for F2P players. With a fly fishing rod, some feathers, and a good spot like Barbarian Village or Shilo Village, you can rack up XP and even make a profit. For advanced players, tick manipulation can push XP rates to new heights, while Barbarian Fishing offers a multi-skill alternative. Start fishing today, and you’ll be on your way to level 99 in no time!