OSRS Fishing Guide
Build a high-confidence Fishing training plan
Updated September 2026
Fishing has multiple strong lanes depending on your goal: XP speed, profit, or low-input AFK consistency. Choose your route first, then execute toward clear milestone levels.
What Is Your Best Fishing Method Right Now?
Choose your lane by XP pace, GP goals, and click intensity. Then stick with one route through your next milestone.
Choose Your Planning Track
- Fastest XPTempoross RouteStrong XP progression with scalable rates as levels increase.Low
- Profit PriorityMinnows + High-Value FishTop GP-focused lane with moving spots and active click cadence.Low
- AFK ComfortAnglerfish / EelsLower input method with steady returns and relaxed pacing.Low
- F2P RouteF2P Fish ProgressionPractical free-to-play route with clear speed and profit tradeoffs.Low
Method Comparison Arena
Compare method speed, effort, and value to lock in the route you can sustain for long sessions.
- FastestUp to 120K XP/hrCost: LowIntensity: MediumUse when: You want consistent efficient XPAvoid when: You only care about maximum GP/hr
- ProfitLow to MediumCost: LowIntensity: MediumUse when: You prioritize GP generationAvoid when: You need fastest level progression
- OptimizationVariesCost: LowIntensity: LowUse when: You can leverage guild boosts and unlocksAvoid when: You are below guild-effective levels
- F2PMediumCost: LowIntensity: MediumUse when: You stay in F2P progressionAvoid when: You can access members methods
High-Confidence Training Routes
Milestones That Matter
- 35: Tempoross access for scalable XP.
- 68: Fishing Guild baseline access.
- 82: Minnow and high-value route unlocks.
- 90+: High-tier profitability and consistency.
- 99: Final Fishing completion target.
Execution Checklist
- Pick one route based on XP vs GP priority.
- Set milestone levels before changing methods.
- Use equipment boosts and guild bonuses where possible.
- Re-plan at 35, 68, and 82.
🎣 Equipment & XP Boosters
Angler's Outfit
Provides 2.5% XP boost. Saves ~6 hours to 99 but takes 6-8 hours to obtain.
Dragon/Infernal Harpoon
Dragon Harpoon (61 Fishing, 60 Attack):
- • Special attack: 20% faster catch rate
- • +3 Fishing level boost when activated
- • Works with any fishing method
Infernal Harpoon (75 Fishing, 85 Cooking):
- • 1/3 chance to cook fish automatically (half Cooking XP)
- • Consumes the fish when cooked
- • Made with Dragon Harpoon + Smoldering Stone
- • 5,000 charges before reverting to Dragon Harpoon
Shark Lures
Shark Lures are a stackable enhancer for harpoon fishing that boost shark catch rate and cut action delay, at the cost of heavily reduced XP per catch. You configure 1, 3, or 5 lures, consumed per shark caught.
| Lures | Success | Action delay | XP/shark | Profit/shark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1x | 6 ticks | 110 | 752 |
| 1 | 3x | 5.5 ticks | 27.5 | 529 |
| 3 | 4.5x | 5 ticks | 22 | 83 |
| 5 | 6x | 4.5 ticks | 17.6 | -363 |
- • Use 1 lure for a balanced speed bump that keeps most of your profit
- • Use 3-5 lures only for catch volume — moon key halves and the Big Shark
- • Use 0 lures for XP training or Heron pet hunting (lures lower the pet rate)
- • Source: boss/chest drops or Shark Lure packs from Alry the Angler (1 Molch pearl = 100 lures)
Admiral Pie
Boosts Fishing by +5. Useful to enter Fishing Guild at 63 instead of 68 for the +7 invisible boost!
⚡ Fastest Way to 99 Fishing
💡 Quest Recommendation: Complete Sea Slug quest (requires 30 Firemaking) to skip levels 1-24!
Levels 1-20: Shrimp/Anchovy
If not doing Sea Slug quest
Equipment: Small fishing net
Locations: Lumbridge Swamp, Draynor Village, Catherby
XP: 10 XP (shrimp), 40 XP (anchovies at 15)
Levels 20-35/58: Fly Fishing
Trout & Salmon
Equipment: Fly fishing rod + feathers
Best Location: Shilo Village
XP: 50 XP (trout), 70 XP (salmon at 30)
Levels 35-99: Tempoross 🏆
Fastest Fishing XP (if not cooking fish)
Tempoross is a Fishing skill boss similar to Wintertodt. Fish Harpoonfish and load cannons to defeat Tempoross.
Pro Tip: DON'T cook the fish for maximum XP rates!
Alternative: Levels 58-99: Barbarian Fishing
More AFK + Bonus Agility/Strength XP
Requirements:
- • 50 Fishing, 30 Strength, 30 Agility (Leaping Salmon)
- • 70 Fishing, 45 Strength, 45 Agility (Leaping Sturgeon)
- • Start Barbarian Training (speak to Otto)
Equipment: Heavy Fishing Rod
Location: Barbarian Outpost (Games necklace)
Bonus XP: Training to 99 Fishing grants 1.2M Agility XP and 1.2M Strength XP!
3-Tick Method: Can reach 90-110k XP/hr with tick manipulation (very click-intensive)
Levels 78-99: Leechfin Fishing (Vampyrium)
High-intensity - no tick manipulation needed
Requirements: 78 Fishing (boostable - one boost lasts indefinitely), completion of The Blood Moon Rises (Grandmaster quest)
Equipment: Big fishing net
Location: South of the Ruined Village in Vampyrium (post-quest)
Two Activity Paths:
- • Pure Fishing XP - 120k XP/hr: Catch and drop Leechfin. Drop without disengaging. Rada's Blessing double catch does NOT work. Fishing barrel does NOT work. Disengages after 30s of inactivity.
- • Blood Vials - ~72k XP/hr: Cut Leechfin with a knife for Blood sacs (2 Cooking XP per cut). Squeeze 50 sacs into a vial of blood. Cuts reduce XP by ~40% but yield 5–10 vials of blood per hour. Blood vials are tradeable.
Blog: Blood Moon Rises guide - full Leechfin XP rates, Blood vial crafting & all Vampyrium activities
💰 Profitable Fishing Methods
Ranked by GP/hr:
Levels 82-99: Minnows 🏆
Best fishing money in OSRS
Requirements:
- • 82 Fishing
- • Full Angler's Outfit (required!)
- • Fishing Cont quest
Equipment: Small fishing net
Location: Fishing Guild
Exchange Rate: 40 minnows = 1 raw shark
⚠️ Not AFK: Fishing spots move every 15 seconds. Requires attention for good rates!
Levels 85-99: Dark Crabs
High profit but wilderness risk
Equipment: Lobster pot + dark fishing bait
Location: Wilderness Resource Area (level 51 Wildy)
⚠️ Danger: High PKer activity. NPC 'Piles' notes crabs for 50 GP each. Bring anti-PK alt if possible!
Levels 82-99: Anglerfish
Very AFK and profitable
Requirements: 100% Piscarilius favour
Equipment: Fishing rod + sandworms
Location: Port Piscarilius
Time to 99: ~470 hours
Levels 80-99: Infernal Eel
AFK with fire cape access
Requirements: Fire cape (to enter Mor Ul Rek)
Equipment: Oily fishing rod, bait, hammer, fire gloves, ice gloves
Location: Inner city of Mor Ul Rek (Tzhaar City)
No Banking: Crack eels with hammer for Tokkul (+ rare Onyx bolt tips/Lava shards)
Travel: Glory to Karamja → Volcano, or Fairy Ring BLP
Levels 62-99: Monkfish
Solid XP and profit
Requirements: Swan Song quest (high requirements)
Equipment: Small fishing net
Time to 99: ~362 hours
Levels 75-99: Swordfish/Tuna
Good starter moneymaker
Equipment: Harpoon (Dragon/Infernal recommended)
Location: Fishing Guild (Skills necklace/Camelot teleport)
Benefit: +7 invisible boost in Fishing Guild
🆓 F2P Fishing Guide
Fastest F2P Method
- • Levels 1-20: Shrimp/Anchovies (Lumbridge, Draynor)
- • Levels 20-99: Fly Fishing Trout/Salmon (Barbarian Village)
XP Rate: 25-35k XP/hr
F2P Moneymaking
Location: Karamja docks (pay 30 GP to travel, or complete Dragon Slayer + Corsair Curse for free access)
- • Levels 40-50: Lobster (Lobster pot + 30 GP)
- • Levels 50-99: Swordfish/Tuna (Harpoon + 30 GP, drop tuna)
Banking: Deposit box on docks near monks, or Corsair Curse resource area bank
🏛️ Fishing Guild
Location & Requirements
Location: Southwest of Seers' Village
Teleports: Skills necklace (direct) or Camelot teleport + walk
Entry Requirement: 68 Fishing (or 63 with Admiral Pie +5 boost)
Benefits:
- • +7 Invisible Fishing boost
- • Bank available
- • Swordfish/Tuna spots
- • Shark spots
- • Minnows platform (requires Angler's Outfit)
💡 Pro Tip: The Admiral Pie boost (+5) doesn't stack with the guild's +7 boost, but it lets you enter early!
📊 Fishing Calculator
Use our calculator to plan your Fishing training:
Calculate:
- ✓ Fish needed for level goals
- ✓ Expected XP rates
- ✓ Time to reach 99
- ✓ Profit/loss by method
Compare:
- ✓ All fishing methods
- ✓ XP vs GP trade-offs
- ✓ Equipment bonuses
- ✓ Real-time GE prices
Frequently Asked Questions
01What's the fastest way to 99 Fishing?
Tempoross from 35-99 (30-75k XP/hr depending on level). Don't cook the fish for maximum XP!
02What's the best money from Fishing?
Minnows at 82+ Fishing (550k GP/hr) - requires full Angler's Outfit. Not AFK as spots move every 15 seconds.
03Is Barbarian Fishing worth it?
Yes! You get 1.2M Agility XP and 1.2M Strength XP on the way to 99 Fishing. Good for efficient account progression.
04Should I get the Angler's Outfit?
Only if you plan to do Minnows (required) or want the 2.5% XP boost. It takes 6-8 hours to obtain from Fishing Trawler.
05Is a Dragon Harpoon worth it?
Yes! The special attack gives 20% faster catch rate and +3 level boost. Use it for any fishing method, not just harpoon fishing.
06Are Shark Lures worth using?
Only for speed, not XP. Shark Lures massively increase shark catch rate (3x with 1 lure, up to 6x with 5) and reduce action delay, but they cut XP per shark from 110 to as low as 17.6 and turn profit negative at 5 lures. Use 1 lure for a balanced speed bump, 3-5 for moon keys or the Big Shark, and none for XP or pet hunting. The 2 September 2026 update added the tiered delay reduction; note Shark Lures also make the Heron pet rarer.
07What's the most AFK Fishing method?
Anglerfish (82+) or Infernal Eels (80+). Both are very AFK and profitable (250-361k GP/hr) but slow XP (15-35k/hr).
08Can F2P players make money fishing?
Yes, fish Swordfish/Tuna on Karamja. Complete Dragon Slayer + Corsair Curse for free banking access.
09What is Leechfin Fishing?
New in June 2026 with The Blood Moon Rises quest. Leechfin Fishing (78 Fishing, Vampyrium) is an active method using a Big net, similar to Perilous Moons fishing. Fish swim in waves - align your net to catch them. Pure Fishing XP path for strong rates, or cut Leechfin for Blood vials (tradeable). No tick manipulation needed.
📚 Related Guides
Darren started playing the original RuneScape 2 back in the day and came back when Old School RuneScape launched. He's played on and off over the years and built OSRSToolkit to give players a single place to find reliable tools, calculators, and guides — all informed by real in-game experience.