Fishing is one of the most fundamental gathering skills in Old School RuneScape, primarily used to catch fish for Cooking and sustaining PvM activities. While its purpose is straightforward, the way you train it varies significantly depending on whether you're a main account or an Ironman. Mains often prioritize efficiency and minimal effort, whereas Ironmen rely heavily on Fishing as a consistent food source, though some players also choose to buy OSRS gold to support their overall progression alongside skilling.

Early Levels (1–20): Questing vs. Manual Training

Fishing starts off notoriously slow, so leveraging early quests is highly recommended. Completing Sea Slug grants over 7,000 Fishing XP, instantly boosting you to level 24 with minimal effort. Follow this with Fishing Contest for an additional push to level 26. These two quests significantly compress the early grind.

If you prefer not to quest, begin with shrimp fishing using a small net in Lumbridge. At level 5, switch to a fishing rod with bait to catch sardines and herring at the same spots. Stay here until level 20.

Levels 20–50: Fly Fishing Efficiency

At level 20, transition to fly fishing using feathers. Popular spots include Barbarian Village or Shilo Village (if unlocked). Start with trout and add salmon at level 30. This method scales well, starting at around 10k XP/hour and reaching 30k+ as you progress. Staying here until level 50 is both efficient and simple.

Fishing Trawler and Angler Outfit

Fishing Trawler becomes available at level 15 and is worth doing early to obtain the Angler outfit, which provides a 2.5% XP boost. While the minigame can be repetitive, the outfit is essential for long-term efficiency and required for certain clue steps.

Levels 35–99: Tempoross (Core Method)

Tempoross is a Fishing boss that offers a balanced mix of XP, rewards, and engagement. While accessible at level 35, it becomes significantly more efficient at level 50+. The gameplay loop involves catching fish, optionally cooking them for points, and using them to damage the boss while managing environmental hazards.

XP rates range from ~35k/hour early to 80k+ at higher levels with optimal gear like the crystal harpoon. Rewards include the fishing barrel (effectively doubling inventory capacity), spirit flakes, and the Angler outfit upgrade.

For advanced players, the “firefighter” method sacrifices XP (40–50k/hour) for extremely high reward points, making it ideal for farming uniques like the fishing barrel.

Fastest XP Methods

If your goal is purely efficiency:

· Drift Net Fishing (47–71): Requires 44 Hunter. Offers up to 90k Fishing and 100k Hunter XP/hour but costs money.

· 3-Tick Barbarian Fishing (48+): Click-intensive but reaches ~100k XP/hour.

· 2-Tick Harpooning (71+): The fastest method in the game, peaking at ~125k XP/hour with precise execution.

These methods prioritize speed over profit and require high attention.

Profitable Methods

Fishing is no longer a top-tier moneymaker, but several methods remain viable:

· Infernal Eels: ~30k XP/hour and ~200k GP/hour.

· Anglerfish: Low effort, ~25k XP/hour and ~200k GP/hour.

· Dark Crabs (Wilderness): High risk, high reward-up to 400k GP/hour.

· Sacred Eels: Moderate XP with Zulrah scale profit (~300k GP/hour).

AFK Training Options

For low-effort gameplay:

· Barbarian Fishing (AFK): Drop fish for 50–65k XP/hour.

· Karambwan Fishing: ~30k XP/hour with decent profit.

· Monkfish: Outdated but simple (~40k XP/hour max).

These methods are ideal for passive play while multitasking.

Recommended Training Paths

Main Account:
Quest early → Fly fish to 60 → Barbarian fish to 99. Supplement with Tempoross for variety or Angler outfit.

Ironman:
Quest early → Fly fish (banking fish) → Tempoross for supplies → Karambwan for AFK food → Anglerfish at higher levels.

Fastest Route:
Questing → Fly fishing (drop fish) → Drift nets (47–71) → 2-tick harpooning to 99.

Final Thoughts

Fishing in Old School RuneScape is a long-term grind with diverse methods catering to different playstyles. Whether you prefer AFK consistency, high-intensity tick manipulation, or hybrid bossing through Tempoross, the skill offers flexibility despite its slow early progression. For most players, balancing efficiency with enjoyment is key-because reaching level 99 Fishing is as much about endurance as it is about optimization, and some players even look into options like cheap RS gold to support their overall progression alongside skilling.