OSRS Fishing Guide 1–99: AFK, Fast XP and Profit Methods

Why Fishing 1–99 Still Matters

Bils Services offers hand-done Fishing training if you would rather outsource the grind. This article stays educational first — use the service link only if it fits your plan.

We have not put XP per hour or supply costs in this guide. Fishing rates move whenever Jagex adjusts a method, and the cost of the fishing supplies below moves with the Grand Exchange — a frozen number here would mislead you into budgeting the wrong bank. The OSRS Wiki carries live figures.

Fishing 1–99 Level Path

Fishing breaks into 5 stages between level 1 and 99. Start at "1–20: quest XP + shrimp/sardine" and read the list as a default rather than a rule — if your goal is AFK rather than profit, the later stages are where you should deviate.

1. 1–20: quest XP + shrimp/sardine
2. 20–58: trout/salmon fly fishing ladder
3. 58–99: AFK options (lobsters/swordfish/sharks/karambwans/minnows depending on goal)
4. Fast: 3-tick fly fishing / 2-tick swordfish & tuna style methods for specialists
5. Tempoross: early/mid XP + utility rewards

Fastest XP Methods

Tick manipulation methods are the ceiling — only if you will actually do them.

Barbarian fishing trains Fishing + Strength/Agility XP and is a favourite efficient path.

Infernal/dragon harpoon upgrades change endgame feel.

Cheapest / Budget Approach

Fishing is profitable when you bank food people eat.

Dropping fish for XP is fine for pure speed; bad for irons who need food.

Angler’s outfit from Tempoross/Trawler is worth the time.

AFK & Lower-Intensity Options

Fishing is one of the best AFK skills in the game.

Karambwans, maniacal/other meta AFK spots — confirm current best AFK on wiki.

Use AFK Fishing while doing real-life chores; save intensive ticks for focused nights.

Practical Tips That Actually Matter

• Spirit anglers / pearl rewards can improve QoL.
• Do not forget quest unlocks that skip painful brackets.
• Cook later or catch-cook if you also need Cooking — plan the pipeline.

Ironman Notes

Fishing is a supplier, so on an Ironman it pays for itself twice: the XP, and the food that stops your PvM being gated on shark stock. Bank the catch rather than dropping it, and train Cooking on the same trips instead of scheduling a separate Cooking project later.

The thing worth planning is which fish you need, not which gives the most XP. An account that needs food for raids and an account that needs Cooking XP want different spots, and only one of them wants to be dropping everything.

When Paid Training Makes Sense

The case for buying Fishing rests on what it is blocking. The cost of a gathering skill is hours rather than gold. Worth buying if those hours are the only thing between you and the content you actually log in for; not worth buying if you find the rhythm of it relaxing, which plenty of people genuinely do.

If you do order it, the thing to specify is the route as well as the level range: AFK and fast XP and profit are different jobs on this skill, with different timelines and different supply bills for the same 99. Our Fishing page lists what we need from you, and the work is played rather than botted.

FAQ

Barbarian fishing to 99?

Excellent for efficient accounts. Pure Fishing XP seekers may diverge.

Are sharks still good?

As food, sometimes. As XP, usually outclassed — check live rates.

Final Takeaway

Browse Fishing training, more skill guides, or the full blog for related progression help.