Fishing is one of OSRS's most profitable skills. It lets you catch various fish to cook for food or sell for OSRS Gold. This skill becomes more rewarding as you level up, unlocking better fishing spots, new fishing methods, and higher catch rates.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most efficient fishing methods from level 1 to 99. We'll cover the best spots, required equipment, and experience rates for each level range to help you reach your goals.
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Why Level Fishing Skill
Fishing is a core OSRS skill that directly impacts account progression. Many key quests have fishing requirements, you'll need level 62 for the cape quest and level 53 for Barrows gloves. The skill also offers significant money-making potential, with experienced fishers earning up to 100m from reaching level 99. While there are many fishing methods available, only a few are considered efficient.
XP Boosts
Fishing XP boosts are essential tools that let you access higher-level content earlier in your journey and speed up the overall training process. One of the most useful consumables is the Admiral Pie, which provides a +5 temporary boost to your fishing level. This means you can start fishing sardines right from level 1, giving you a head start on training.
The Angler Outfit is for fishing, when wearing the complete set, you'll receive a 2.5% boost to all fishing experience gained. Spirit flakes work differently from other boosts. Instead of providing extra experience, they give you a 50% chance to catch an extra fish with each successful catch. While this doesn't directly boost your XP gains, it makes spirit flakes particularly valuable for money-making methods.
These boosts become particularly important when you're trying to complete achievement diaries or quest requirements that are slightly above your current level. Rather than grinding out those last few levels, you can use these boosts to temporarily access higher-tier fishing methods.
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Fastest Way to Level Fishing
This is the most efficient leveling path used by experienced OSRS players:
- Level 1-5: Shrimp
- Level 5-20: 3-Clicks Bait Fishing
- Level 20-58: 3-Clicks Fly Fishing
- Level 58-71: 3-Clicks Barbarian Fishing
- Level 71-99: 2-Clicks Tick Harpoon Fishing
Starting with quests from levels 1-33 gives you a significant head start, letting you skip the slower early levels and jump straight into more efficient training methods.
Players seeking a more relaxed approach can fish in Prifddinas or Cave Eels. These spots offer 2-5 minutes of AFK time between catches, perfect for multitasking or when you need a less intensive training method. While these methods are slower than the optimal path, they provide a good balance of experience and low-effort training.
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Low-Level Training
Complete quests first to reach level 33 quickly. If you can't quest, use admiral pie boosts to catch sardines early.
The basic route starts at the fishing spot south of Lumbridge. Pick up the free net on the ground and catch shrimp until level 5. Switch to rod and bait fishing for sardines in the same spot. At level 20, move to fly fishing - either at Barbarian Village or near the Lumbridge goblins.
The 3-click method at level 20 requires:
- Herb Tar
- Teak Logs
- Kebbit Vambraces
This method involves clicking three specific spots in sequence: your action spot, the fishing spot, and a game tick spot. Repeat this pattern continuously for maximum efficiency. When done correctly, you'll earn over 20k Fishing XP per hour.
This early training phase sets up your account for more efficient methods later. Focus on maintaining rhythm with the 3-click method rather than watching your catch animations - it makes a significant difference in XP rates.
Final Words
Fishing in OSRS is a profitable and essential skill that benefits both quest progression and money-making. Efficient methods like 3-tick and 2-tick fishing significantly boost XP rates, while XP boosts like the Admiral Pie and Angler Outfit help speed up the grind. Following the fastest leveling path ensures you reach 99 efficiently, but AFK-friendly methods are available for those who prefer a slower pace. Stick to the best training spots and techniques to maximize your time and earnings.
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