Where to Fish Monkfish in OSRS A Comprehensive Guide

Fishing for monkfish in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a fantastic way to level up your Fishing skill while earning decent profits. This guide covers everything you need to know about where to fish monkfish, including requirements, locations, gear, and strategies to maximize your efficiency. Whether you’re a mid-level player or aiming for 99 Fishing, monkfish fishing is a low-effort, semi-AFK method that’s both rewarding and accessible after completing the Swan Song quest. Let’s dive into the details!
Before you can start fishing monkfish, you’ll need to meet specific requirements. These ensure you can access the fishing spots and catch monkfish effectively.
Quest Completion
You must complete the Swan Song quest to access the Piscatoris Fishing Colony, the only location where monkfish can be caught. This quest requires:
- Level 66 Magic
- Level 62 Fishing
- Level 62 Cooking
- Level 45 Firemaking
- Level 42 Prayer
- Level 40 Smithing
The quest involves helping the Piscatoris Fishing Colony fend off sea trolls, unlocking monkfish fishing spots upon completion.
Fishing Level
A minimum Fishing level of 62 is required to catch monkfish, granting 120 Fishing XP per catch. Higher Fishing levels increase your catch rate, with success rates improving from 29.3% at level 62 to 35.5% at level 99.
Equipment Needed
All you need is a small fishing net, which can be purchased from the Grand Exchange or found at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony (two nets are available in the northeast corner). Optional items include:
- Spirit flakes: Obtained from Tempoross, these give a 50% chance of catching an extra monkfish.
- Dragon harpoon: Provides a +3 Fishing boost when its special attack is used (requires 61 Fishing and 60 Attack).
- Teleportation items: For quick travel to the colony.
Where to Fish Monkfish The Piscatoris Fishing Colony
Monkfish can only be caught at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony, located north of Eagle’s Peak. This remote area is accessible after completing Swan Song, and its fishing spots are close to a bank, making it ideal for AFK training.
How to Get to Piscatoris Fishing Colony
Here are the fastest ways to reach the colony:
Method | Requirements | Details |
---|---|---|
Fairy Ring (AKQ) | Partial completion of Fairytale II – Cure a Queen | Teleports you directly to the colony. Fastest method. |
Kathy Corkat | 50 coins or Ring of Charos (a) | Located west of Tree Gnome Stronghold, she ferries you to Piscatoris for 50 coins (free with Ring of Charos). |
Western Banner 3/4 | Hard/Elite Western Provinces Diary | Western Banner 3 offers one daily teleport; Banner 4 provides unlimited teleports. |
Piscatoris Teleport Scroll | Purchasable from Grand Exchange | One-time use teleport to the colony. |
Fishing Spot Details
The monkfish fishing spots are located along the northern coast of the colony. Unlike other fishing methods, these spots are relatively stable, moving less frequently, which makes monkfish fishing semi-AFK. You’ll need to click an active spot with a small fishing net to start fishing. If no spots are active, consider hopping worlds or using the RuneLite fishing plugin to highlight active spots.
Monkfish Fishing Efficiency and XP Rates
Fishing monkfish offers decent XP and profit, though it’s not the fastest or most lucrative method. Here’s what you can expect based on your Fishing level.
XP and Catch Rates
Monkfish grant 120 Fishing XP per catch. Depending on your Fishing level, you can catch between 205 and 375 monkfish per hour, translating to 24,600–45,000 XP per hour. Here’s a breakdown:
- Level 62: ~205 monkfish/hour (24,600 XP/hour)
- Level 80: ~300 monkfish/hour (36,000 XP/hour)
- Level 99: ~375 monkfish/hour (45,000 XP/hour)
Using spirit flakes can increase your yield by up to 50%, boosting both XP and profit.
Profit Potential
Monkfish are profitable but not the best money-maker. At current Grand Exchange prices (check live prices), profits range from 46,945 to 85,875 GP per hour. For comparison, fishing karambwans or minnows offers higher profits, but monkfish are more AFK-friendly.
Tips for Optimizing Monkfish Fishing
To make the most of your monkfish fishing sessions, follow these strategies to boost efficiency and comfort.
Inventory Setup
Maximize inventory space for monkfish to reduce banking trips:
- Small fishing net (essential)
- Teleportation items (e.g., runes, teleport tabs)
- Food (e.g., sharks or monkfish) for healing from sea troll attacks
- Spirit flakes (optional, for double catches)
Keep as many slots free as possible to hold monkfish.
Use RuneLite Plugins
The RuneLite fishing plugin highlights active monkfish spots, saving you time searching for them. This is especially useful in crowded worlds where spots may be harder to spot.
AFK Strategy
Monkfish fishing is semi-AFK, requiring clicks every 30–60 seconds when spots move. To make it more relaxed:
- Fish in a less crowded world to reduce spot competition.
- Watch a show or listen to music to stay engaged during long sessions.
- Use a fish barrel (from Tempoross) to extend trips before banking.
Banking and Cooking
The bank deposit box is a short walk from the fishing spots, making banking quick. If you plan to cook your monkfish, note that they require level 62 Cooking and yield 150 Cooking XP per successful cook. Burning stops at:
- Level 92 on a fire
- Level 90 on a range
- Level 82 with Cooking gauntlets at Hosidius Kitchen
Cooking monkfish can net additional profits (up to 102M coins from 62 to 99 Fishing if cooked).
Why Choose Monkfish Over Other Fishing Methods?
Monkfish fishing strikes a balance between XP, profit, and AFK-ability, but it’s not the best in any single category. Here’s how it compares to other methods:
Monkfish vs. Karambwans
Karambwans (level 65 Fishing, Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest) are more profitable (~80M to 99) and heal 18 Hitpoints, but their fishing spots require more attention. Monkfish are better for players prioritizing AFK-ability.
Monkfish vs. Minnows
Minnows (Fishing Guild, full trawler outfit) offer higher profits and 40–55K XP/hour but are click-intensive. Monkfish are a better choice for relaxed training.
Monkfish for Ironmen
For Ironmen, monkfish are a solid food source, healing 16 Hitpoints and being lighter than sharks. They’re ideal for mid-to-high-level Slayer or bossing before accessing higher-healing foods like karambwans or anglers.
Additional Benefits
Fishing monkfish also offers a chance to obtain clue scrolls (every 696–840 catches, depending on level), adding excitement to your sessions. It’s also a requirement for the Hard Western Provinces Diary, making it a multi-purpose activity.
In conclusion, fishing monkfish in OSRS at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony is a rewarding, semi-AFK method for mid-to-high-level players. With the right setup, you can earn decent XP and gold while enjoying a relaxed gaming experience. Complete the Swan Song quest, grab your small fishing net, and head to Piscatoris to start fishing today!