Before diving into advanced techniques, it’s essential to grasp the fundamental aspects of Fishing in OSRS. Fishing is a gathering skill that allows players to catch fish and other aquatic creatures using various tools and equipment. To start training Fishing, you’ll need the appropriate fishing equipment and bait, such as a fishing rod, a fishing net, or a harpoon, depending on your chosen method.
Early Levels: Level 1-20
At the lower levels of Fishing, you’ll want to focus on methods that provide both experience and valuable fish. The two primary methods for this stage are:
Net Fishing
Net Fishing is an efficient way to start leveling your Fishing skill. Head to a location with fishing spots like Draynor Village or Al Kharid and use your small fishing net to catch shrimp and anchovies. This method is relatively fast and provides essential experience points.
Fly Fishing
Once you reach level 20 Fishing, you can transition to fly fishing. Equip a fly fishing rod and feathers, then head to the River Lum, located near Barbarian Village. Here, you’ll catch trout and salmon, which offer better experience rates than net fishing. Plus, these fish can be useful for Cooking training or sold for profit.
Mid-Levels: Level 20-70
As you progress into the mid-levels of Fishing, you’ll want to choose methods that offer both decent experience rates and valuable fish. Here are some options:
Lobster and Swordfish
Around level 40 Fishing, you can start catching lobsters, which grant more significant experience than trout and salmon. Head to Catherby and fish at the nearby fishing spots. As you reach level 50, you can also catch swordfish, which provide even more experience points per catch.
Monkfish
At level 62 Fishing, you unlock access to the Piscatoris Fishing Colony. Here, you can catch monkfish, which offer excellent experience rates and a decent profit. The colony is located west of the Tree Gnome Stronghold and requires the completion of the Swan Song quest.
High Levels: Level 70-99
Reaching level 70 Fishing is a significant milestone, as it unlocks some of the most efficient training methods. Here are the top options for achieving level 99 Fishing:
Shark Fishing
Shark fishing becomes available at level 76 Fishing. This method is located in the Fishing Guild, which requires level 68 Fishing and completion of the Fishing Contest quest to access. Catching sharks provides decent experience rates and substantial profits since sharks are valuable in the game.
Barbarian Fishing
Barbarian Fishing is one of the most efficient methods for leveling up Fishing in OSRS. It involves catching fish while also training your Strength and Agility skills. To start Barbarian Fishing, you’ll need to complete the Barbarian Training miniquest and have level 70 Fishing, Strength, and Agility. You can catch leaping fish (salmon and trout) at various locations, including Otto’s Grotto and the Baxtorian Falls.
Anglerfish
At level 82 Fishing, you can catch anglerfish, which offer a substantial experience rate and can be very profitable. To access anglerfish, you’ll need to complete the Bone Voyage quest and venture to the remote island of Fossil Island. This method is considered one of the fastest ways to reach level 99 Fishing.
Maximizing Efficiency
To optimize your journey to 99 Fishing, consider the following efficiency tips:
Use the Best Equipment: Upgrade your fishing equipment as you level up. This includes using better fishing rods, gloves, and other gear that can increase your catch rate and experience gain.
Utilize the Bank: Always have access to a nearby bank to deposit your catches quickly. This minimizes downtime and maximizes your experience per hour.
Plan Your Routes: Familiarize yourself with the most efficient fishing locations and plan your routes accordingly to minimize travel time.