Osrs Fishing Guide: Level 1 To 99 Training & Methods

Old School RuneScape’s Fishing skill combines AFK skilling, high-intensity minigames, and profitable resource gathering. Whether you want to max out your total level with passive experience or fund your gear upgrades with high-tier catches, leveling from level 1 to 99 requires understanding the meta, tick manipulation, and quest unlocks.

This guide breaks down the most efficient training routes, gear setups, and methods for modern Old School RuneScape.

Early Game Foundations: Levels 1 to 20

Your journey starts with basic equipment and low-tier freshwater catches. You don't need complex gear here; simplicity and speed are your main goals.

1. Levels 1 to 20 (Shrimp and Anchovies): Head to the freshwater fishing spots just west of Lumbridge Castle or near Draynor Village. Equip a small fishing net and catch raw shrimp. At level 15, you'll also catch anchovies in the same net spots, which yield slightly more experience.
2. Alternative Start (Quests): If you want to skip the slowest early levels entirely, complete the Ernest the Chicken, Fishing Contest, and Tai Bwo Wannai Trio (or relevant mid-game quests depending on your iron/main status) or use experience lamps from random events and achievement diaries.

This phase is brief. You'll move past shrimp within a couple of hours of active play, transitioning directly into the fastest early XP methods in the game. Analysts at Bloomberg have shared their thoughts on this situation.

The Mid-Game Meta: Levels 20 to 68

Once you hit level 20, the training meta shifts dramatically toward fly fishing and early minigames, which offer significantly higher experience rates than netting basic fish.

Fly Fishing at Barbarian Village

From level 20 to 50 (or even 68 if you prefer speed over profit), fly fishing at the river outside Barbarian Village is the standard path.

• Bait: Bring a fly fishing rod and feathers.
• Experience: You'll catch trout and salmon. Drop them or use them with a knife to cut them into feathers (if doing barbarian training later, though raw fish are usually dropped for pure XP).
• Rates: Expect rates to scale from roughly 25,000 XP/hour at level 20 up to 50,000+ XP/hour by level 50.

Power-Leveling via Barbarian Fishing

Unlocked after starting Barbarian Training, you can fish using heavy rod techniques at Otto's Grotto. This method trains Fishing, Strength, and Agility simultaneously.

• Requirements: Otto's Grotto access, barbarian rod, and jumping fish bait (or roe/caviar as you progress).
• Efficiency: This is the meta for max efficiency to 99 if you don't care about making money from your fish. Tick manipulation (3-tick fishing) can push rates past 100,000 XP/hour at higher levels, though standard AFK barbarian fishing still yields exceptional rates around 60,000 to 75,000 XP/hour.

Advanced Training and Profit: Levels 68 to 99

At level 68, you gain entry to the Fishing Guild, located west of Ardougne. The guild provides a visible +7 boost to your fishing level inside the gates, meaning you can access high-level spots earlier than nominal requirements suggest.

Monks and Karambwans

If you want a mix of decent AFK time and solid gold or food supplies, look toward alternative mid-to-late methods:

• Monkfish: Requires the Swan Song quest. Located on Piscatoris Fishing Colony, monkfish provide relaxed AFK training with decent healing food output for mid-level PvM.
• Raw Karambwan: Requires Tai Bwo Wannai Trio. Using a fish vessel with karambwanji bait gives incredible XP and strong profit, as raw karambwans are in high demand for high-end bossing food.

Minnows and Anglerfish at the End Game

When you approach the final stretch to 99, you have two primary high-tier routes: Minnows for passive profit or Anglerfish for high-level AFK efficiency.

• Minnows (Level 82+): Located on the Platform in the Fishing Guild (requires full Angler's Outfit and completion of the Fishing Contest / access requirements). You trade minnows for raw sharks at a rate of 40 minnows per shark. This provides steady cash flow and decent XP.
• Anglerfish (Level 91+): Located in the Kourend piscatoris spot or Great Kourend. They are slow to catch, but highly AFK and valuable because Anglerfish heal 22 hitpoints and overheal players up to 120 HP.

Essential Gear, Boosts, and Setup

Maximizing your fishing efficiency relies on utilizing specific gear pieces that grant experience bonuses or utility perks.

• Angler's Outfit: Earned via the Fishing Trawler minigame. Wearing all four pieces provides a cumulative 2.5% experience bonus to your Fishing skill (0.5% per piece, plus 0.5% set bonus).
• Dragon Harpoon / Crystal Harpoon: Offers a special attack that temporarily boosts your Fishing level by 3, increasing your catch rate. You can attach an Infernal Harpoon to consume fish passively for extra cooking XP, or use a Crystal Harpoon charged with crystal shards for maximum success rates.
• Spirit Angler Outfit / Rada's Blessing: Rada's Blessing (obtained from Kourend & Zeah Diaries) provides a chance to catch double fish, effectively doubling your XP and profit rates at high levels.

According to the Old School RuneScape Wiki, utilizing proper diary rewards and outfit bonuses is critical for minimizing the total hours required to reach level 99. For official game rules and client downloads, visit the Official RuneScape Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3-tick fishing required to reach 99?

No. While tick manipulation offers the fastest experience rates in the game, standard AFK barbarian fishing or catching high-level fish like anglerfish and minnows is entirely viable. It simply takes more overall hours to reach 99.

How do I get the full Angler's Outfit quickly?

You obtain the pieces by participating in the Fishing Trawler minigame in Port Khazard. The drop rate is random based on your contribution activity during each round, and it usually takes between 10 to 15 hours of minigame play to complete the set.

What are the best fish to cook for profit?

Dark crabs, anglerfish, and karambwans generally yield the highest margins when cooked, though raw sharks and manta rays caught from boss drops or minnows also provide steady cooking experience and profit loops.

Can I train Cooking and Fishing simultaneously?

Yes. Many players use an Infernal Harpoon during barbarian fishing or high-level spots to automatically burn a portion of their catches for passive cooking experience, though traditional cooking ranges remain the fastest way to train Cooking.