In the vast world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS), there are countless ways to train your skills, and Fishing is one of the most relaxing yet rewarding activities available. Unlike some other skills that require constant attention or grueling effort, Fishing offers a steady, tranquil experience, making it a favorite choice for many players. Whether you're looking to reach the esteemed 99 Fishing or simply want to gather food for your adventures, knowing the best methods and strategies for leveling up is key.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the most effective ways to level up your Fishing skill from 1 to 99. This guide will cover the best locations, methods, equipment, and tips to maximize your experience gain and efficiency. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced player aiming for 99, you'll find the optimal path to get there faster, so as to obtain OSRS gold faster.

1. Getting Started: Fishing Basics

Before we dive into the methods for training Fishing, let's cover the basics to help you understand the skill and prepare for your journey:

Fishing Spots: You can fish at specific locations scattered across the OSRS world, often tied to certain fish. These locations require the player to have specific Fishing levels to catch certain fish.

Tools: The primary tool you'll use is a fishing rod, but there are also specialized items such as harpoons, lobster pots, and nets, each used for different fish.

Bait: Some fish require bait (such as worms, feathers, or raw fish), while others do not. Certain fish also require specific fishing methods, like the use of a fly fishing rod or a harpoon.

At each level of Fishing, you will unlock the ability to catch different fish, and these will serve as the basis for how you can train your skill. The best training methods often involve combining the most experience-efficient methods with the best resources available.

2. Levels 1-15: Starting with Shrimp and Anchovies

Fish to Catch: Shrimp and Anchovies

Location: Lumbridge, Draynor Village, or the Fishing Guild

Required Tools: Small Net

XP/Hour: 50-60 XP

At level 1, you'll start off by fishing for shrimp. Head over to the small net fishing spots found near Lumbridge or Draynor Village. The small net will be your primary tool for this method, and at lower levels, this is a great and peaceful way to start your journey.

Tips:

Stay at the fishing spots in Lumbridge or Draynor as they are close to banks.

Keep the fish you catch, as they can be used for cooking or sold for profit.

As you reach level 15, you can also start catching anchovies. These fish require the use of a small net, and while they offer slightly better experience rates than shrimp, they still remain low-level fish.

3. Levels 15-40: Fly Fishing (Trout and Salmon)

Fish to Catch: Trout and Salmon

Location: Barbarian Village, Lumbridge Swamp, and Shilo Village

Required Tools: Fly Fishing Rod and Feathers

XP/Hour: 250-350 XP

At level 15, you'll gain access to fly fishing, a method that becomes your primary training method from levels 15 to 99. Fly fishing allows you to catch both trout and salmon, and it's one of the most efficient ways to level up Fishing. For this method, you'll need a fly fishing rod and feathers (which are used as bait).

The best places to fly fish are in Barbarian Village and Lumbridge Swamp for trout and salmon. As a bonus, the Shilo Village spot is also a fantastic location for fly fishing, providing access to both trout and salmon with a quick banking option.

Tips:

The fishing spots at Barbarian Village are close to a bank, which makes it easier to stockpile your fish and keep the XP flowing.

Keep your fish for cooking or selling. Trout and salmon are popular in both cooking and fishing-related quests.

Feathers can be bought in bulk from general stores or obtained from chickens.

4. Levels 40-99: Power-Fishing (Salmon, Trout, and Barb-tail Harpoon)

Fish to Catch: Salmon and Trout (or Barb-tail Harpoon for power-fishing)

Location: Barbarian Village, Shilo Village, or the Fishing Guild

Required Tools: Fly Fishing Rod, Feathers, or Barb-tail Harpoon

XP/Hour: 350-450 XP

When you hit level 40, it's time to take your fly fishing skills up a notch. This is the period where you will train the most efficiently and power through levels at a steady pace.

You can still use fly fishing rods in Barbarian Village and Shilo Village for trout and salmon. These locations offer significant experience rates, and with some practice, you can achieve optimal efficiency in no time. You can also use a Barb-tail Harpoon (available at the Barbarian Assault area) for an even faster method of training. If you have access to the Fishing Guild at level 68, this can be a great area to fish for trout and salmon.

Tips:

Power-fishing at Shilo Village will give you a higher rate of XP per hour.

The Fishing Guild is another excellent location to power-fish for a more AFK-style experience.

While fishing, make sure to be aware of any quests or achievements that may require certain fish (such as Angler's Outfit).

5. Levels 60-99: Sharks, Manta Rays, and Dark Crabs

Once you hit level 60, you can start fishing for the higher-tier fish. These include sharks and manta rays, which are lucrative options both for experience and profit.

Fish to Catch: Sharks, Manta Rays, and Dark Crabs

Location: Fishing spots near Karamja (or other hotspots)

Required Tools: Harpoons or Big Nets

XP/Hour: 500-700 XP

If you want to make some decent gold while training your skill, fishing sharks at Karamja or Piscatoris Fishing Colony is a great option. Both sharks and manta rays require harpoons, and they are profitable fish that can sell for high prices at the Grand Exchange.

Tips:

For shark fishing, be sure to equip your Karamja Gloves to unlock cheaper access to the Karamja area.

Manta rays are slightly more experience-efficient and provide a higher overall profit.

Dark Crabs are another great option to consider at level 85 fishing. They offer high XP rates and provide unique bonuses for players with the Angler's Outfit.

6. The Angler's Outfit and Experience Boosts

At higher levels, the Angler's Outfit becomes an essential part of any serious Fishing journey. You can acquire this set through the Fishing Trawler minigame and it provides a 2.5% boost to your experience gain while wearing it.

Tips:

Use the Angler's Outfit to maximize experience rates when power-fishing or catching high-level fish like sharks or manta rays.

The outfit takes a bit of time and effort to obtain, but the benefits are well worth it in the long run.

7. Levels 90-99: Barbarian Fishing (XP Efficiency and Profit)

Fish to Catch: Fish (Barbarian Fishing Locations)

Location: Barbarian Village

Required Tools: Barbarian Rod (and special items)

XP/Hour: 700-900 XP

Once you reach level 90 in Fishing, you can take advantage of Barbarian Fishing, an excellent way to boost your experience rate and profit. This method allows you to catch fish while also training your strength and agility, making it a great multi-skill training technique.

Tips:

Barbarian Fishing can be highly profitable, with items such as salmon and trout often in demand.

This method also trains Agility and Strength, making it highly efficient for multi-skill training.

Aim to catch fish while training other stats to make this method even more efficient.

Conclusion: The Road to 99 Fishing

Achieving level 99 Fishing in Old School RuneScape is no small feat, but with the right methods and a bit of dedication, it's certainly attainable. From the peaceful early stages of fly fishing for trout and salmon to the more advanced power-fishing and barbarian fishing techniques, you'll have a variety of efficient training methods at your disposal, buy RuneScape gold can greatly increase your experience.

With the right equipment, dedication, and a strategic approach, reaching 99 Fishing in OSRS can be both a rewarding and relaxing experience. Whether you're in it for the challenge, the rewards, or the sense of accomplishment, mastering the art of Fishing in Old School RuneScape is a journey worth embarking on.