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Fastest Way to Get 99 Fishing in OSRS

If you've ever trained Fishing in OSRS, you've probably had the same experience as everyone else. You start off motivated. A few levels fly by, you unlock some new fish, and everything feels great. Then somewhere around the middle levels, reality kicks in.

You're staring at the same fishing spot for hours, your inventory fills up for the hundredth time, and you start wondering how people actually reach 99 Fishing without losing their mind. The good news is that Fishing is one of the most AFK skills in Old School RuneScape. The bad news is that getting to 99 still takes a lot of patience.

Whether you're chasing a max cape, training an Ironman, unlocking diary requirements, or just looking for a relaxed skill to work on while doing something else, this guide covers the fastest ways to get 99 Fishing while helping you avoid the mistakes that make the grind feel even longer.

Is Fishing Worth Training?

A lot of newer players overlook Fishing.

It doesn't unlock flashy gear upgrades.

It doesn't give huge combat boosts.

It doesn't make billions of GP overnight.

But later in your account progression, Fishing becomes much more useful than many players expect.

• Provides food for Slayer and bossing

• Extremely AFK compared to skills like Agility

• Useful for Ironman accounts

• Can generate steady GP while training

• Required for quests and achievement diaries

• One of the easier skills to train while doing other things

If you're still deciding which skills are worth training first, check out our guide on Most Useful Skills to Train First in OSRS. A lot of players put Fishing off early, then regret it once they need food, diary requirements, or supplies later.

The Fastest Route to 99 Fishing

If your goal is pure XP, the most efficient route usually looks like this:

• Level 1-20: Shrimp and Anchovies

• Level 20-58: Fly Fishing

• Level 58-99: Barbarian Fishing

It is simple.

Not always exciting, but simple.

Most experienced players spend the majority of their Fishing journey at Barbarian Fishing because the XP rates are difficult to beat.

Level 1-20 Fishing

You'll begin with Shrimp and Anchovies.

These levels go by very quickly and honestly are not worth overthinking.

Grab a small fishing net and head to Lumbridge Swamp or Draynor Village.

Within a short amount of time, you'll be ready for the next stage.

Level 20-58 Fishing

Once you unlock fly fishing, head to Barbarian Village.

This is where Fishing starts feeling much smoother.

You'll catch Trout and Salmon while gaining some of the best early-game Fishing XP available.

Many players stay here longer than necessary simply because it is easy, cheap, and requires very little planning.

If you're new to the game, this is usually the point where Fishing starts feeling rewarding instead of completely boring.

Level 58-99 Fishing

This is where Barbarian Fishing takes over.

For most players, Barbarian Fishing is the fastest route to 99 Fishing.

Why players use it:

• Excellent XP rates

• Passive Strength XP

• Passive Agility XP

• Minimal banking required

• Very efficient for overall account progression

At higher levels, XP rates can reach around 80,000 to 100,000+ XP per hour depending on attention and efficiency.

That is why so many maxed players recommend sticking with Barbarian Fishing all the way to 99.

Is it repetitive?

Absolutely.

But honestly, so is almost every long skill grind in OSRS.

Best AFK Fishing Methods

Not everyone cares about maximum XP.

A lot of players simply want something relaxed while watching YouTube, Netflix, sports, or working from home.

If AFK gameplay is your thing, you'll probably also enjoy our guide on Best AFK Money Making Methods OSRS, which covers low-effort ways to make GP while barely paying attention.

Here are some of the better AFK Fishing methods.

Monkfish

• Available at level 62 Fishing

• Relaxed training method

• Decent profit

• Popular among casual players

Karambwans

• Available at level 65 Fishing

• Great for Ironman accounts

• Consistent GP

• Very AFK once set up

Ironman players may also want to read our OSRS Farming Guide, since Farming and Fishing often work together when gathering long-term supplies.

Anglerfish

• Available at level 82 Fishing

• Very AFK

• Strong profit potential

• Lower XP rates than Barbarian Fishing

Many players eventually realize they would rather get slower XP if it means barely paying attention.

There is nothing wrong with that.

OSRS is supposed to be enjoyable, not feel like a second job.

Can Fishing Make You Money?

Fishing is not one of the highest GP makers in the game, but it can still generate respectable income.

Popular profitable Fishing methods include:

• Sharks

• Minnows

• Karambwans

• Anglerfish

If making GP is your main goal, there are stronger options than Fishing. Players looking for better profit usually move into methods covered in our Top 10 Best Money Makers OSRS guide once their account is ready.

Fishing is still nice because it lets you make some GP without needing intense focus.

That said, let's be honest.

Not everybody enjoys spending 200+ hours grinding skills or farming GP. Some players love the journey, while others would rather spend their time bossing, raiding, PvPing, or doing content they actually enjoy. That is one reason many players choose to buy OSRS gold and focus on the parts of the game they find more fun.

How Long Does 99 Fishing Take?

This is usually the first question players ask.

The answer depends entirely on your chosen method.

Approximate estimates:

• Barbarian Fishing: 150-200 hours

• Karambwans: 180-240 hours

• Monkfish: 200-250 hours

• Anglerfish: 220-300+ hours

Fishing is definitely not the fastest 99 in the game.

But compared to skills like Runecrafting or Agility, many players find it much less stressful because you can train it while doing other things.

Common Fishing Mistakes Players Make

Fishing is simple, but players still make mistakes that waste a lot of time.

• Staying at low-level fish for too long

• Banking fish when they do not need to

• Ignoring Barbarian Fishing

• Training for profit when their real goal is XP

• Following outdated guides

• Switching methods too often

One of the biggest mistakes is not deciding what your actual goal is.

Do you want the fastest XP?

Do you want profit?

Do you want the most AFK method possible?

The answer changes the best training method completely.

Should You Cook the Fish You Catch?

A lot of players like pairing Fishing with Cooking.

It makes sense.

You catch thousands of fish on the way to 99, and Cooking is one of the easiest skills to train alongside it.

If you plan on doing that, check out our Fastest Way to Get 99 Cooking in OSRS guide so you do not waste supplies or train inefficiently.

For Ironmen especially, this combination can feel really satisfying because you are gathering your own food and turning it into something useful for combat later.

Fishing Cape Rewards

Reaching 99 Fishing unlocks the Fishing Skillcape.

Besides looking great, it is also proof that you survived one of OSRS's longer skilling grinds.

For many players, Fishing becomes one of their favourite 99s simply because it is so relaxed compared to more click-heavy skills.

You are not constantly sweating clicks.

You are not risking gear.

You are not dealing with annoying mechanics.

You are just fishing, slowly watching the XP stack up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to get 99 Fishing in OSRS?

For most players, Barbarian Fishing is the fastest way to get 99 Fishing because it provides excellent XP rates while also giving passive Strength and Agility experience.

Is Fishing worth training in OSRS?

Yes. Fishing provides food for bossing, Slayer, quests, and Ironman progression while also being one of the most AFK skills in the game.

How long does 99 Fishing take?

Most players can expect to spend between 150 and 250 hours reaching 99 Fishing depending on their chosen training method.

What is the best AFK Fishing method?

Anglerfish, Karambwans, and Monkfish are among the most AFK Fishing methods available and are popular with players who want relaxed gameplay.

Can Fishing make money in OSRS?

Yes. Sharks, Minnows, Karambwans, and Anglerfish can all provide decent profit while training Fishing.

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