• 1.0 - Introduction
• 2.0 - Basics
• 3.0 - Equipment, Fish and Levels
  •     3.1 - Equipment and Bait
  •     3.2 - Species of Fish
• 4.0 - Miscellaneous
  •     4.1 - Fishing Level Enhancement
  •     4.2 - Surprises
  •     4.3 - Random Events
  •     4.4 - Barehanded Fishing
• 5.0 - Strategies
• 6.0 - Experience from Quests
• 7.0 - Frequently Asked Questions

There are many forms of sea life out there, just waiting for you to catch them. Through the art of fishing, you will be able to catch them all! Fishing is a calm, relaxing and repetitive skill, which is quite easy to raise. The higher your fishing level is, the faster you will obtain your desired fish. This guide will teach you all about the fishing skill and the benefits of a good fishing level. There are many fishing locations throughout RuneScape. As usual, members have the edge in fishing, with the Fishing Trawler mini-game, the Fishing Guild, and Catherby - the biggest out-of-guild fishing area closest to a bank.

As you would have learned on Tutorial Island, fishing is a very easy skill. Here is a basic tutorial incase you do not remember how to fish. First, make sure you have the proper fishing equipment in your inventory. Then right click on the fishing spot, marked by the on the minimap, for your fishing options.

Now just select which option you would like to use. If you have a small fishing net, then you should click "Net Fishing spot". Once you do this, you will automatically start fishing, and will stop when your inventory is full, or when the fishing spot moves.

The following table is a list of all the fishing equipment in RuneScape.

Equipment Name	Picture	Bait	Level To Use	Places To Obtain
Net		None	1	Tutorial Island Port Sarim Fishing Shop Catherby Fishing Shop Fishing Tutor
Fishing Rod		Bait	5	Port Sarim Fishing Shop Catherby Fishing Shop
Big Net		None	16	Catherby Fishing Shop
Fly Fishing Rod		Feathers	20	Port Sarim Fishing Shop Shilo Village Fishing Shop
Harpoon		None	35	Port Sarim Fishing Shop Catherby Fishing Shop
Barbtailed Harpoon		None	35	A reward for trapping a Barbtailed Kebbit (Hunter).
Lobster Cage		None	40	Port Sarim Fishing Shop Catherby Fishing Shop
Barbarian Rod		Bait	48	From Otto Godblessed, below the Barbarian Outpost.
Oily Fishing Rod		Bait	53	Quest Item
Karambwan Vessel		Karambwanji	65	Quest Item

The next table shows the four types of fishing baits.

Bait Name	Bait Picture	Where to find
Bait		Port Sarim Fishing Shop, Killing Zombies Catherby Fishing Shop
Feathers		Port Sarim Fishing Shop Chicken Drop
Karambwanji		Fish with small net south of Tai Bwo Wannai village.
Stripy Feathers		Hunting the Tropical Wagtail.

The following shows the experience that each fish gives when you catch it, as well as what equipment to use, and what level you need to catch it.

Type of Fish	Fish Picture (Raw)	Equipment	Level to Fish	Exp.	Level to Cook	Locations
Shrimp		Net	1	10	1	South of Al-Kharid, Bandit Camp (wilderness), Catherby, Entrana, N. Karamja, South of Port Sarim, Lumbridge, Draynor Village
Karambwanji		Net	5	10	1	South of Tai Bwo Wannai village
Sardine		Fishing rod Bait	5	20	1	South of Al-Kharid, north of West Ardougne, Bandit Camp (wilderness), Catherby, Draynor Village, Entrana, west of Fishing Guild, N. Karamja, South of Port Sarim, North of Seers' Village, Tree Gnome Stronghold
Herring		Fishing rod Bait	10	30	5	South of Al-Kharid, Bandit Camp (wilderness), Catherby, Entrana, Fishing Guild, N. Karamja, south of Port Sarim, Rellekka, North of Seers' Village, Tree Gnome Stronghold, north of West Ardougne, Draynor Village
Anchovies		Net	15	40	1	South of Al-Kharid, Bandit Camp (wilderness), Catherby, Entrana, N. Karamja, south of Port Sarim, Lumbridge, Draynor Village
Mackerel		Big net	16	20	10	Ape Atoll, Burgh De Rott, Catherby, Fishing Guild, Rellekka, Tirannwn, Fremennik Isles
Trout		Fly-fishing rod Feather	20	50	15	Barbarian Village, north-east of Castle Wars, Lumbridge, north of Seers' Village, west of the Fishing Guild, Shilo Village, Tirannwn, Tree Gnome Stronghold, north of West Ardougne, north-west of Yanille
Cod		Big net	23	45	18	Ape Atoll, Burgh De Rott, Catherby, Fishing Guild, Rellekka, Tirannwn, Fremennik Isles
Pike		Fishing rod Bait	25	60	20	Barbarian Village, west of the Fishing Guild, Lumbridge, Rellekka, north of Seers' Village, Shilo Village, Tirannwn, Tree Gnome Stronghold, north of West Ardougne, north-west of Yanille, Lumbridge
Slimy Eel		Fishing rod Bait	28	65	25	Swamps of Morytania, Lumbridge Swamp Caves
Salmon		Fly-fishing rod Feather	30	70	25	Barbarian Village, north-east of Castle Wars,Lumbridge, north of Seers' Village, west of the Fishing Guild, Shilo Village, Tirannwn, Tree Gnome Stronghold, north of West Ardougne, north-west of Yanille
Giant frogspawn		Net	33	75	N/A	Lumbridge Swamp Caves
Tuna		Harpoon	35	80	30	Catherby, Fishing Guild, N. Karamja, Rellekka, level 35 north-east Wilderness, Fremennik Isles
Cave eel		Fishing rod Bait	38	80	38	Lumbridge Swamp Caves
Rainbow Fish		Fly-Fishing	38	80	35	Seers' Village lake, Barbarian Village and Shilo Village.
Lobster		Lobster cage	40	90	40	Catherby, Fishing Guild, N. Karamja, Rellekka, level 35 north-east Wilderness, Fremennik Isles
Bass*		Big net	46	100	43	Ape Atoll, Burgh De Rott, Catherby, Fishing Guild, Rellekka, Tirannwn, Fremennik Isles
Swordfish*		Harpoon	50	100	45	Catherby, Fishing Guild, N. Karamja, Level 35 north-east wilderness, Fremennik Isles
Lava Eel		Oily fishing rod	53	60	53	Middle of the Lava Maze in the Wilderness, Taverley Dungeon
Monkfish		Net	62	120	62	The Piscatoris Fishing Colony (Must have completed the Swan Song Quest)
Karambwan		Karambwan vessel	65	105	1	North-east corner of southern Karamja
Shark*		Harpoon	76	110	80	Ape Atoll, Burgh De Rott, Catherby, Fishing Guild, Rellekka, Tirannwn, Fremennik Isles
Sea Turtle		Trawler boat	79	38	82	Trawler Fishing Boat
Manta Ray		Trawler boat	81	46	91	Trawler Fishing Boat

* - These fish can, at random, be caught as "Big fish" which you are able to get "stuffed" at Canifis, to mount in the skill hall room of your house.

The following table shows all the fish that can be caught at Otto's Grotto, and their required Fishing, Strength, and Agility levels to catch.

Fish Name	Fish Picture	Fishing Level Required	Strength/Agility Level Required	Fishing Experience	Strength/Agility Experience
Leaping Trout		48	15	50	5
Leaping Salmon		58	30	70	6
Leaping Sturgeon		70	45	80	7

There are many different potions in RuneScape. One is used for fishing and raises your fishing level by 3 levels. There are also two pies available that enhance the fishing level. The fish pie raises your fishing level by 3. The admiral pie gives the best increase by raising your fishing level by 5.

There are three basic reasons to raise your fishing level with a fishing potion or the pies:

1. One use of a fishing potion (or the pies) is to get into the Fishing Guild at level 63 or 65 instead of level 68. For more information on the Fishing Guild, please see the Fishing Guild guide.

2. Another use of a fishing potion (or the pies) is to catch fish faster. It does not work very well, but often times; it can turn a catch of two in a row, to a catch of three or four in a row, which saves a few minutes of your time. A popular use of fishing potions is to catch sharks, to sell for profit. For example, one fishing potion (~3k) would catch around 10 sharks, giving a ~7k profit.

3. An uncommon use of the fishing potion (or the pies) is to improve the catch from the trawler at the end of the game. Most people drink their fishing potions during the trawler trip and before they check their net to raise their chances of an excellent catch.

When fishing with a big net, you will be quite surprised on your first time, as you may notice that you can get up to five fish at a time with the big net. This makes obtaining fish a lot faster. In addition, when using your Big Net, you will obtain things such as boots, gloves, and caskets. The casket is member's only and cannot be traded with free players, though the boots and gloves can. When fishing with a big net, you can also receive seaweed.

A casket is a large "trunk" used to hold items. It can hold as little as 20gp, and as much as a half key.

When fishing for swordfish, bass or sharks, there is a chance that you will receive a big version of the fish. This fish can be stuffed by the taxadermist in Canafis and put into your skill hall. The below table shows the big fish as well as the construction level needed to mount it.

Picture	Name	Level to Catch	Picture	Level to Mount
	Big Bass	46		36
	Big Swordfish	50		56
	Big Shark	76		76

Four skill specific random events can happen while fishing. Be on your guard!

A large, green troll will appear and start to attack you. You can either kill it, or run away. The following shows what level the Troll will be depending on your combat level.

• Level 159 if you are level 91+
• Level 120 if you are levels 61-90
• Level 79 if you are levels 41-60
• Level 49 if you are levels 21-40
• Level 29 if you are levels 11-20
• Level 14 if you are levels 3-10

A large fish will appear in the fishing spot, take your fishing equipment, and spit it out in a random direction.

At random times, your fishing spot may move away from you. This is the most common random event when fishing.

A whirlpool will start where you are fishing, and if you do not stop, it will take your fishing equipment and keep it. The whirlpool only affects the player who just made the cast when it appeared, as well as any other players that start fishing in the whirlpool spot. Whirlpools do not affect players already fishing in the spot when they appear.

Speak to Otto Godblessed about the barbarian fishing methods; he will talk to you about catching fish with your arms instead of a harpoon. In order to be able to fish without a harpoon you must have at least level-55 fishing and must have caught at least one fish by harpooning.

Go to an area where you can harpoon swordfish, tuna or sharks; the Fishing Guild and Catherby are good choices. Click on the harpoon spot as you would normally, but without a harpoon equipped or in your inventory and you will catch a fish using your arm as bait!

Picture	Name	Required Fishing Level	Strength Level Required	Fishing Experience	Strength Experience
	Tuna	55	35	80	8
	Swordfish	70	50	100	10
	Shark	96	76	110	11

Speak to Otto once more and this time ask about fishing rod methods, he will tell you that barbarians use stronger fishing rods to catch leaping fish in the lake nearby. Search under his bed and collect a heavy barbarian rod, make sure to also have fishing bait or feathers on you. Use the fishing spots around the lake and hook a leaping fish (you must have at least level-48 fishing).

Picture	Name	Required Fishing Level	Strength and Agility Level Required	Fishing Experience	Strength and Agility Experience
	Leaping trout	48	15	50	5
	Leaping salmon	58	30	70	6
	Leaping sturgeon	70	45	80	7

Head to Draynor Village with a fishing net. Go south of the bank until you see some fishing spots. You will be here for a while. It is not exactly lightning training, but it will have to do. By level 20, the level gains will seem slow, and it is time to prepare for the next step.

Get feathers either by buying them or by killing chickens for them. If you are level 15-40 combat, I recommend killing them because at your level, you will save money for bigger, more important purchases, and you will kill them relatively fast. When you have a lot of feathers (I recommend at least 5000), go to Port Sarim (just west of Draynor Village and south of Falador) and buy a Fly fishing rod for about 5gp.

Head north to Barbarian Village. A word of warning: you are going to be here for a while. Fly-fishing is straightforward. Bring your rod and 1k of your feathers, and click "Lure" on the fishing spots. If you get a full inventory, it is faster to drop them than to bank them. If you wish, you may cook them in the Long Hall, but I suggest you drop them raw for the best experience. It gets boring, but it is the best experience you can get. If you run out of feathers, just go get more. To help level faster, you could also trade your raw fish away to other players. Be sure to trade all the fish at once. This is the only way trading will be faster.

Here you have two options: you may stay at Barbarian Village and fly-fish, or you may go to Port Sarim with about 80gp and buy a Lobster cage, then take the ship to N. Karamja. I suggest fishing until you have run out of feathers, then heading to N. Karamja.

On N. Karamja, head into the plantation and onto the dock. It is fun to fish here if you can find a populated world, because people are always talking while they fish. You will be full before you know it. When you have a full inventory, look around for a fire. If you see one, cook your Lobsters and either drop them, give them to someone, or sell them. I recommend dropping them as it is fastest, but some people like to sell them to the nearby General Store. Continue this until level 75 fishing. This is probably the slowest section between two levels, so be patient.

You can continue with Lobsters, as they get a bit faster around this level. Alternatively, you could grab a harpoon and seek out Swordfish and Tuna. At level 76, you will get a nice amount of Swordfish. You may do the same with Swordfish/Tuna as with Lobsters: drop, sell, or trade. You will get to your desired level soon enough; remember, patience is a virtue.

This is just the same as free players: Head to Draynor Village with a fishing net. Go south of the bank until you see some fishing spots. You will be here for a while. It is not exactly lighting training, but it will have to do. By level 20, the level gains will seem slow, and it is time to prepare for the next step.

Get feathers either by buying them or by killing chickens for them. If you are level 15-40 combat, I recommend killing them because at your level, you will save money for bigger, more important purchases, and you will kill them relatively fast. When you have a lot of feathers (I recommend at least 5000), go to Port Sarim (just west of Draynor Village and south of Falador) and buy a Fly fishing rod for about 5gp.

That is right, you are going to get about 2 million experience at the same spot. However, it will go by fast. Even at level 60+ Fishing, you will be gaining two or three levels a day easily.

Grab your fly-fishing rod and about 35,000 feathers. If you cannot afford them, just get about 5k feathers off chickens and head to Shilo Village (must have completed the Shilo Village quest). In Shilo Village, with your fishing rod and feathers, just north of the bank should be a few fishing spots. Fish an inventory of them, and sell them to the fishing store just south-east of the river. Now buy back as many feathers as you can afford and fish another inventory. You should never run out of feathers like this. If you are doing this, try to find a world with no one but you so that there are always feathers in stock.

Stay here fishing and banking/selling until you have used up all your feathers and/or hit level 80. It will take a lot less time than you might think.

Grab your harpoon and head over to the Fishing Guild in Hemenster, north of Ardougne. Find a spot close to the bank and begin harpooning for shark at net/harpoon spots OR tuna and swordfish at Harpoon/Cage spots. I suggest just banking the fish until you have achieved your desired level. If you are going from 80 to 90, you will need almost 3.4M experience and you will fish either:
42,004 Tuna
33,603 Swordfish
30,548 Sharks
Assuming you fish 20 percent Sharks, 35 percent Swordfish, and 45 percent Tuna on your way to level 90 (fishing at both the shark and tuna/swordfish spots), that is about 37 thousand fish. This means: 18,900 Tuna, 11,760 Swordfish, and a whopping 6,100 Sharks. Cook the Tuna and save them as they are decent training food. Cook the Swordfish sell them; which at 350 each becomes 4.1M gp. Cook the sharks (or trade the raw sharks for cooked) and sell them for about 900gp each for 5.5M.

Many players also wish to get their Fishing up by fishing for experience only. There are two effective ways, how to get fast Fishing experience. Head to Shilo Village and grab a fly fishing rod and also feathers. Start catching salmons and trouts, best way is to bank them, as you can make a little profit and also this is faster than dropping. This is the fastest way to get fishing experience, but the negative side of it is, that it doesn't give you profit. For profit and a bit slower experience, catching monkfish is your best bet. Head to Piscatoris Fishing Colony, bring a small net with you and start catching monkfish. The experience is really good and also monkfish sell for 300 coins each, which makes it a perfect spot for fast experience and money.

• Fishing Contest: 2,437 XP
• The Fremennik Trials: 2,812 XP
• Heroes Quest: 2,725 XP
• Recipe for Disaster (Saving Pirate Pete): 1,000 XP
• Rum Deal: 7,000 XP
• Sea Slug: 7,175 XP
• Swan Song: 10,000 XP
• Tai Bwo Wannai Trio: 5,000 XP

• A Fairy Tale Part II: 2,500 XP in any skill of your choice over level 30.
• Great Brain Robbery, The: 5,000 XP for any skill you choose over level 30.
• Legends Quest: 7,650-30,600 XP (7,650 is given to 4 skills from a list of skills)
• One Small Favour: 10,000-20,000 XP (2 x 10,000 lamps for any skill of your choice over level 30)
• Recipe for Disaster: 20,000 XP (A Lamp to grant 20,000xp in a skill of your choice over level 50)

Q: Do I catch more salmon/swordfish at higher fishing levels vs trout/tuna?
A: At higher levels of fishing you can catch more higher level fish, but remember it's all random.

Q: What is the difference between a barb-tailed harpoon and a normal harpoon?
A: You can wield a barb-tailed harpoon, which gives you one more space in your inventory. This allows you to catch one more fish per load.

Q: Where is the best place to fly-fish?
A: The best place to fly-fish would be in Shilo Village, however the Shilo Village quest is required to be able to fish. For free players or members who have not completed the Shilo Village quest, fishing in the Barbarian Village would be probably best, with the closest bank in Edgeville. You could also try fishing at Seers' Village, as there is a bank closer than that of the Barbarian Village.