If you're an adventurer in the world of Old School RuneScape (OSRS) and looking to improve your fishing skills, you've come to the right place! Fishing is a relaxing and profitable activity that allows you to catch a wide variety of fish, which can be cooked and eaten or sold for gold. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about fishing in OSRS as a free-to-play (F2P) player.
Getting Started
To start your fishing journey, head to any body of water in the game that indicates a fishing spot. These spots are usually marked with fishing icons on the minimap. Once you reach a fishing spot, simply click on it to cast your fishing rod and begin fishing.
In F2P OSRS, there are several types of fish you can catch:
- Shrimp and Anchovies (Level 1 Fishing)
- Sardines and Herring (Level 5 Fishing)
- Trout and Salmon (Level 20 Fishing)
- Pike (Level 25 Fishing)
- Lobsters (Level 40 Fishing)
Each fish requires a specific fishing level to catch. Make sure to check your fishing level and the required level for the fish you want to catch by right-clicking on your fishing rod in your inventory and selecting "Check." This will show you the available options and their respective level requirements.
Equipment and Inventory Setup
Before you embark on your fishing expedition, ensure you have the necessary equipment and items. Here's what you'll need:
- Fishing Rod: Required to catch fish. You can obtain one for free from fishing shops or purchase better rods from other players or the Grand Exchange.
- Fishing Bait: Some fish, like trout and salmon, require bait to catch. You can buy fishing bait from fishing shops or the Grand Exchange.
- Inventory Space: Make sure you have enough inventory space to hold the fish you catch. If your inventory becomes full, you won't be able to catch more fish until you make room.
XP Rates and Training Locations
To level up your fishing skill efficiently, it's important to head to the right training locations. Here are some recommended spots for F2P fishing training:
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Lumbridge Swamp (Levels 1-20): Located just south of Lumbridge Castle, this swamp is an ideal spot to catch shrimp, anchovies, sardines, and herring. It's perfect for low-level fishermen and provides a steady supply of fish.
- XP rates per hour: Approximately 5,000-10,000 XP per hour.
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Barbarian Village (Levels 20-40): To progress beyond level 20, head to the lake in Barbarian Village, located northwest of Varrock. Here, you can catch trout and salmon, which yield higher XP rates compared to lower-level fish.
- XP rates per hour: Around 15,000-20,000 XP per hour.
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Karamja Dock (Levels 40+): Once you reach level 40 Fishing, take a trip to Karamja Island using the ship from Port Sarim. At the dock, you can catch lobsters, which provide great XP and a good source of income when sold.
- XP rates per hour: Approximately 20,000-30,000 XP per hour.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips to enhance your fishing experience in OSRS:
- Dropping Fish: If you're looking to level up quickly, consider dropping the fish you catch instead of banking them. Dropping fish is faster and allows you to keep fishing continuously.
- Power Fishing: For a more AFK (Away From Keyboard) training method, you can opt for power fishing. This involves continuously catching and dropping fish without bait, which speeds up the XP gain but sacrifices the fish you can sell or cook.
- Cooking Fish: As you catch fish, consider cooking them on a nearby fire or range. Cooking the fish not only provides Cooking XP but also increases their value when sold.
- Fishing Trawler Minigame: Once you reach a higher fishing level, you can participate in the Fishing Trawler minigame located at Port Khazard. It offers a chance to earn various rewards, including the Angler's Outfit, which grants bonus XP.
- Quests: Completing fishing-related quests, such as "Sea Slug" and "Fishing Contest," can provide valuable XP rewards and unlock new fishing spots.
Remember, practice makes perfect! The more you fish in OSRS, the better your skill will become. So grab your fishing rod