What is the fastest Fishing method in OSRS?

3-Tick Barbarian Fishing is the fastest conventional method at ~100,000–115,000 XP/hr at high levels. It also gives passive Strength and Agility XP. Drift Net Fishing can be faster at lower levels but involves multiple skills and more complexity.

What is the most profitable Fishing method in OSRS?

Infernal Eels (200,000–300,000 GP/hr, fully AFK at level 80+) or Dark Crabs in the Wilderness (300,000+ GP/hr, risk involved). Anglerfish are also profitable at 150,000–250,000 GP/hr and useful as healing items in high-level PvM content.

How long does 99 Fishing take in OSRS?

At 55,000 XP/hr (standard Barbarian Fishing), approximately 237 hours from level 1 to 99. At 3-Tick speeds (~107,000 XP/hr), roughly 122 hours. At AFK Infernal Eels (35,000 XP/hr), 373+ hours. Most players take 150–300 hours depending on methods and AFK frequency.

What level should I start Barbarian Fishing?

Barbarian Fishing (Barbarian Heavy Rod) is available at level 48 after completing the Barbarian Training miniquest. The bonus Strength and Agility XP become most impactful at 58+ when you catch Leaping Salmon. Most players start Barbarian Fishing at level 48 and stay until 99.

OSRS Fishing XP, Time, and Profit: Best Methods to 99

Compare OSRS Fishing XP rates, time to 99, and profit potential. Covers Barbarian Fishing, Drift Net, Infernal Eel, and AFK methods with XP/hr and GP/hr data.

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OSRS Fishing Training Methods Overview

Fishing offers a spectrum from completely AFK (low XP/hr, some profit) to intensive tick-manipulation (high XP/hr). Choose based on your goals: maximum XP, maximum GP, or maximum relaxation.

XP Rates by Method and Level

Method	Level Req	XP/Hour	GP/Hour	Intensity
Shrimp/Anchovies	1–20	15,000	Low	Very Low
Trout/Salmon	20–58	20,000–30,000	Low	Low
Lobster	40	20,000	50,000–100,000	Very Low AFK
Fly Fishing (Barbarian)	48+	50,000–58,000	0 (dropped)	Low
3-Tick Barbarian Fishing	58+	100,000–115,000	0	High
Infernal Eels	80	35,000	200,000–300,000	Very Low
Drift Net	47+	30,000–53,000	0–100,000	Medium
Anglerfish	82	40,000	150,000–250,000	Low
Dark Crabs	85	35,000	300,000+	Very Low

Method 1: Barbarian Fishing (Best Standard XP)

Location: Otto's Grotto (requires Barbarian Training) Requires: Agility level equal to Fishing level (for tick manipulation), Strength level

Barbarian Fishing at Barbarian Village or Otto's Grotto is one of the most efficient AFK methods: - Standard: 50,000–58,000 XP/hr (Fishing) + bonus Strength/Agility XP - 3-Tick: 100,000–115,000 XP/hr (requires active clicking)

The bonus Strength and Agility XP makes this highly efficient for overall account development.

Method 2: Infernal Eels (Profitable and AFK)

Location: The Outer Area of TzHaar City XP/hr: ~35,000 (low) GP/hr: 200,000–300,000 (from eel contents: onyx bolts, tokkul)

Infernal Eels are completely AFK and highly profitable. They don't scale well for XP but are the best passive GP source in Fishing.

Method 3: Dark Crabs (High Profit, Level 85+)

Location: Resource Area (Wilderness) XP/hr: 35,000–40,000 GP/hr: 300,000–400,000

Wilderness access means risk from PKers, but Dark Crabs pay premium prices on the Grand Exchange as the best non-stackable food. Best for ironmen targeting high-healing food.

Method 4: 3-Tick Fishing (Maximum XP)

Using tick manipulation to force faster fishing animations:

Optimal setup: Barbarian Fishing rod + feathers + herb-tar interruption cycle XP/hr at 99: 100,000–115,000 Fishing + 25,000+ Strength + 25,000+ Agility

This is the fastest conventional Fishing XP method, combining multiple skills efficiently.

Time to 99 Estimates

Method	XP/hr	Hours to 99 from 1
AFK Barbarian	55,000	237 hrs
3-Tick Barbarian	107,000	122 hrs
Infernal Eels	35,000	373 hrs
Anglerfish	40,000	326 hrs

Best Overall Recommendation

For XP: 3-tick Barbarian Fishing from 58–99 For Profit: Infernal Eels (AFK) or Dark Crabs (AFK with Wilderness risk) For ironmen: Barbarian Fishing to 99, supplement with Monkfish/Sharks for bank food

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest Fishing method in OSRS?: 3-Tick Barbarian Fishing is the fastest conventional method at ~100,000–115,000 XP/hr at high levels. It also gives passive Strength and Agility XP. Drift Net Fishing can be faster at lower levels but involves multiple skills and more complexity.
What is the most profitable Fishing method in OSRS?: Infernal Eels (200,000–300,000 GP/hr, fully AFK at level 80+) or Dark Crabs in the Wilderness (300,000+ GP/hr, risk involved). Anglerfish are also profitable at 150,000–250,000 GP/hr and useful as healing items in high-level PvM content.
How long does 99 Fishing take in OSRS?: At 55,000 XP/hr (standard Barbarian Fishing), approximately 237 hours from level 1 to 99. At 3-Tick speeds (~107,000 XP/hr), roughly 122 hours. At AFK Infernal Eels (35,000 XP/hr), 373+ hours. Most players take 150–300 hours depending on methods and AFK frequency.
What level should I start Barbarian Fishing?: Barbarian Fishing (Barbarian Heavy Rod) is available at level 48 after completing the Barbarian Training miniquest. The bonus Strength and Agility XP become most impactful at 58+ when you catch Leaping Salmon. Most players start Barbarian Fishing at level 48 and stay until 99.

Last updated 7/28/2026