OSRS: Quick 99 Fishing Guide

Fishing is one of the most accessible and rewarding skills in Old School RuneScape (OSRS), offering a mix of fast XP, AFK options, and even profit potential. Whether you're chasing the coveted Fishing skill cape, unlocking quest requirements, or simply want to streamline your skilling journey, this guide will walk you through the fastest methods to reach level 99 Fishing-no unnecessary grind included. We'll cover essential gear, level-by-level strategies, and pro tips to cut down your training time. Rapid leveling will also earn you more OSRS gold.

Essential Gear & XP Boosts to Speed Up Training

Before you cast your first line, equipping the right gear and using XP boosts can save you hours of training. These tools aren't mandatory, but they significantly increase efficiency, making your path to 99 much quicker.

The Angler's Outfit is a game-changer, providing a 2.5% XP boost when worn as a full set. You can obtain it through the Fishing Trawler minigame (World 370) or aerial fishing, and while it takes 6-8 hours to get, it saves roughly 6 hours of training from level 50 to 99-well worth the investment.

For harpooning methods, upgrade to a Dragon or Crystal Harpoon. The Dragon Harpoon (requires 61 Fishing, 60 Attack) has a special attack that boosts Fishing by 3 levels and increases catch rate by 20%. The Crystal Harpoon (requires 71 Fishing and Song of the Elves quest) is even better, offering the highest catch rate and working with all fishing methods.

Admiral Pies are another useful boost, granting +5 Fishing levels temporarily. This lets you access higher-tier methods early-for example, entering the Fishing Guild at level 63 instead of 68 with its invisible +7 boost.

Optional but helpful: Rada's Blessing (from Kourend & Kebos Diaries) gives a 2-8% chance to catch two fish at once (no extra XP, but great for profit), and the Fish Barrel (from Tempoross rewards) stores up to 28 raw fish, reducing bank trips.

Level 1-33: Skip the Early Grind with Quests

The fastest way to bypass the slow early levels is by completing quests that reward Fishing XP. This skips levels 1-33 in just over an hour, saving you hours of low-XP grinding.

Complete the following quests (in order) for maximum efficiency: Sea Slug (30 Firemaking required) grants 7,125 XP, taking you from level 1 to 24. Next, finish Fishing Contest (10 Fishing required) for 2,437 XP, then the Freeing Pirate Pete segment of Recipe for Disaster (31 Cooking required) for 1,000 XP. Finally, Tai Bwo Wannai Trio (30 Firemaking, 15 Agility, 30 Cooking required) gives 5,000 XP, pushing you to level 33.

If you don't meet the quest requirements, default to small net fishing for shrimp (10 XP each) and anchovies (40 XP each) at Draynor Village or Lumbridge Swamp. Drop the fish instead of banking to keep XP rates high-you'll reach level 20 in 30 minutes or less.

Level 33-58: Fly Fishing for Steady XP

Once you hit level 33, fly fishing for trout and salmon is the fastest non-manipulation method. It's low-effort, has consistent XP rates, and requires minimal gear.

Grab a Fly Fishing Rod and Feathers (1 feather per fish caught) and head to Shilo Village (best location for speed) or Barbarian Village. At level 33, you'll catch trout (50 XP each); at level 30 (which you'll already have), you unlock salmon (70 XP each).

XP rates here range from 25-35k XP per hour, depending on your level. Drop the fish to avoid banking-this keeps your hands free and your XP flowing. With this method, you'll reach level 58 in 8-10 hours.

Level 58-99: Choose Your Fastest Path

At level 58, you unlock the most efficient methods to hit 99. Your choice depends on whether you prefer active (high XP) or semi-AFK (low effort) training. Below are the top three methods, ranked by speed.

1. 2-Tick Harpooning (Fastest Overall: 100-130k XP/Hour)

For dedicated grinders, 2-tick harpooning swordfish and tuna is the fastest Fishing method in OSRS. It requires tick manipulation but yields up to 130k XP per hour at level 99 with a Crystal Harpoon.

To set it up: Head to Port Piscarilius, aggro two rats, equip a bow without ammo, and turn on auto-retaliate. When the rats attack (every 2 ticks), click the fishing spot immediately. This reduces the catch cycle from 5 ticks to 2, drastically increasing XP rates.

You'll need level 71 Fishing for optimal efficiency, but you can start at level 58 (with lower XP rates). With practice, you'll master the timing, and 99 will be within reach in just over 100 hours.

2. 3-Tick Barbarian Fishing (30-110k XP/Hour + Bonus XP)

Barbarian Fishing is perfect if you want to train Fishing while earning bonus Agility and Strength XP. It's more AFK than 2-tick harpooning but still offers high XP rates when using tick manipulation.

Requirements: 50 Fishing, 30 Strength, 30 Agility (for leaping salmon), and completion of the Barbarian Training miniquest (speak to Otto at the Barbarian Outpost). Use a Barbarian Rod and bait (feathers, fish offcuts, or roe).

At level 58, you catch leaping salmon (80 XP each); at level 70, leaping sturgeon (100 XP each). With 3-tick manipulation, XP rates jump to 90-110k XP per hour, plus 1.2m Agility and 1.2m Strength XP by level 99. Without manipulation, expect 30-60k XP per hour.

3. Tempoross (AFK-Friendly: 30-75k XP/Hour)

If you prefer a low-effort approach, Tempoross (the Fishing skill boss) is ideal. It's semi-AFK, offers consistent XP, and has a chance to drop the Fish Barrel and heron pet (Fishing's pet).

Tempoross works like Wintertodt: Fish harpoonfish, load cannons, and defeat the boss to earn XP. XP rates scale with your level-30k XP/hour at level 30, 75k XP/hour at level 90. For maximum XP, don't cook the fish during the fight.

This method is slower than tick manipulation but requires minimal clicking. You'll reach 99 in 170 hours or so, making it perfect for casual players or those multitasking.

Pro Tips to Cut Down Training Time

Prioritize the Angler's Outfit: Even if it takes 6-8 hours to get, the 2.5% XP boost saves more time in the long run.

Use Tick Manipulation Wisely: 2-tick harpooning and 3-tick Barbarian Fishing are the fastest methods, but practice the timing first to avoid frustration.

Avoid Banking Unnecessary Fish: Drop low-value fish (like trout/salmon) to keep XP rates high. Only bank profitable fish (like swordfish or karambwan) if you want to make gold.

Utilize Boosts: Admiral Pies and the Dragon/Crystal Harpoon's special attack can temporarily increase your catch rate, speeding up progress.

Final Thoughts

Reaching 99 Fishing in OSRS doesn't have to be a tedious grind. By skipping early levels with quests, equipping the right gear, and choosing the method that fits your playstyle, you can hit 99 in as little as 100 hours (with tick manipulation) or 170 hours (AFK with Tempoross). This will also get you even more cheap RuneScape gold.

Whether you're an active grinder chasing the fastest XP or a casual player who prefers to AFK, this guide covers everything you need to make your Fishing journey quick and efficient. Grab your rod, gear up, and dive into the waters of Gielinor-your Fishing skill cape awaits!