Fishing in RuneScape is a very valuable skill. Players can fish and then cook what they catch for food, or they can sell their fish for a great profit.
Fishing is one of the more popular skills in RuneScape. To fish, players must first find a "fishing spot". These fishing spots are near land and are in the sea and in rivers.
To fish, players must have the right equipment. To purchase equipment, there is a Fishing Store in Port Sarim that sells fishing rods, bait, feathers, fish, harpoons, and lobster cages.
Equipment[edit]
There are many different types of equipment that players must use to fish.
Nets[edit]
All players start out with nets. There are "small fishing nets" and "large fishing nets". Small fishing nets are for free players while large fishing nets are only members. The difference between the two nets are the large fishing net can catch more than one fish, and it's members only.
A fishing net an only be used on seas. When the player has found a fishing spot, they have to right-click or left-click on the spot. There will be two options: "Net Fishing spot" or "Bait Fishing spot". Since the player has a net, they will want to net fishing spot. When the player uses his net, they will squat down and use their net with the spot. They will do this for a few minutes or until the fishing spot moves.
Catching fish takes time, so the player has to be patient. However, as the player's fishing level rises, they will catch fish more often.
Fish that can be caught using a small fishing net:
- Shrimp
- Karambwanji (members only)
- Anchovy
- Frog Spawn (members only)
Things that can be caught using a big fishing net (members):
- Mackerel
- Oyster
- Casket
- Seaweed
- Cod
- Bass
Fishing Rods and Bait[edit]
To buy a fishing rod, players have to go to Port Sarim, go the Fishing Store, and buy one for about 5 to 10 gp. Players will also need bait, which can also be bought from the Fishing Store. Some monsters also drop bait.
To fish with a fishing rod, players have to find a river with fishing spots or find a fishing spot in the sea. When they've found a spot, they can then click on the fishing spot and begin fishing. If the player cannot fish, then they have to right-click on the spot and select the "Bait Fishing spot" option. When players have started fishing, they will cast out their line and wait for the fish to catch. They will do this for a few minutes or until the fishing spot moves.
There is also an "oily fishing rod" but this is members only and is used to fish Lava Eels.
Catching fish takes time, so the player has to be patient. However, as the player's fishing level rises, they will catch fish more often.
Fish that can be caught using a fishing rod:
- Sardine
- Herring
- Pike
- Cave Eel (members only)
Fish that can be caught using an oily fishing rod (members only):
- Lava Eel
Fly Fishing Rods and Feathers[edit]
To buy a fly fishing rod, players have to go to Port Sarim, go the Fishing Store, and buy one for about 5 to 10 gp. Players will also need feathers, which can also be bought from the Fishing Store. Chickens also drop feathers every time they are killed.
To fish with a fly fishing rod, players have to find a river with fishing spots. When the player has found a spot, they can then click on the fishing spot and begin fishing. If the player cannot fish, then they have to right-click on the spot and select the "Lure Fishing spot" option. When players have started fishing, they will cast out their line and wait for the fish to catch. They will do this for a few minutes or until the fishing spot moves.
Catching fish takes time, so the player has to be patient. However, as the player's fishing level rises, they will catch fish more often.
Fish that can be caught using a fly fishing rod:
- Trout
- Salmon
Harpoons[edit]
To buy a harpoon, players have to go to Port Sarim, go the Fishing Store, and buy one for about 20 to 30 gp.
Harpoons can only be used on seas. When players have found a spot, they can then click on the fishing spot and begin fishing. If the player cannot fish, then they have to right-click on the spot and select the "Harpoon Fishing spot" option. When players have started fishing, they will squat down and try to catch some fish. They will do this for a few minutes.
Catching fish takes time, so the player has to be patient. However, as the player's fishing level rises, they will catch fish more often.
Fish that can be caught using a harpoon:
- Tuna
- Swordfish
- Shark (members only)
Lobster Pots[edit]
Lobster pots (also known as "lobster cages" or just "cages") can be bought from the Fishing Store in Port Sarim for about 20 to 30 gp.
Lobster pots can only be used on seas. When the players have found a spot, they can then click on the fishing spot and begin fishing. When players have started fishing, they will squat down and try to catch some lobsters. They will do this for a few minutes.
Lobster pots can only catch lobsters and are a great way to train fishing.
Fish that can be caught with a lobster cage:
- Lobster
Karambwan Vessel[edit]
Karambwan Vessels (also know as just "vessels") can be obtained from Lubufu south of Brimhaven (on Karamja) Once the player has started the "Tai Bwo Wannai Trio" quest. Players will also need Karambwanji, which can be caught with a net at a fishing spot on the Holy Lake south of Tai Bwo Wannai Village.
Karambwan Vessels can only be used on the lake that is near Lubufu. When the players have found a spot, they can click on the fishing spot and begin fishing. When players have started fishing, they will squat down and try to catch some Karambwan. They will do this for a few minutes.
Fish that can be caught with a Karambwan Vessel:
- Karambwan (members only)
Fishing Table[edit]
Below is a table with information about fishing.
| Name | Lvl Needed to Fish | Fishing Exp | Lvl Needed to Cook | Cooking Exp |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shrimp | 1 | 10 | 1 | 30 |
| Karambwanji | 5 | 10 | 1 | 30 |
| Sardine | 5 | 20 | 1 | 40 |
| Herring | 10 | 30 | 5 | 50 |
| Anchovy | 15 | 40 | 1 | 30 |
| Mackerel | 16 | 20 | 10 | 60 |
| Trout | 20 | 50 | 15 | 70 |
| Cod | 23 | 45 | 18 | 75 |
| Pike | 25 | 60 | 20 | 80 |
| Slimey Eel | 28 | 65 | 28 | 95 |
| Salmon | 30 | 70 | 25 | 90 |
| Tuna | 35 | 80 | 30 | 100 |
| Cave Eel | 38 | 80 | 28 | 115 |
| Lobster | 40 | 90 | 40 | 120 |
| Bass | 46 | 100 | 43 | 130 |
| Swordfish | 50 | 100 | 45 | 140 |
| Lava Eel | 53 | 30 | 53 | 140 |
| Karambwan | 65 | 105 | 1 | 80 |
| Shark | 76 | 110 | 80 | 210 |
| Sea Turtle | 79 | 105 | 82 | 212 |
| Manta Ray | 81 | 115 | 91 | 216 |
| Frog Spawn | 33 | 75 | - | - |
Fishing spots[edit]
Free to Play Fishing Spots[edit]
Net and Bait Spots[edit]
- Draynor Village: To the west of Draynor Village's bank are two fishing spots. Here, players can net and bait fish. It is a great place to start fishing as there is a bank nearby, so players can fill their inventory with fish and then bank them.
- South of Port Sarim: South of Port Sarim near Thurgo the dwarf's house are some fishing spots, but they're far away from a bank.
- Karmaja: On Karmaja are some fishing spots. However, these spots also are not near a bank, so if the player wants to deposit your fish, Draynor Village is where they want to be.
Lure and Bait Spots[edit]
- Barbarian Village: Just a little east of Barbarian Village is a river. Here, there are some fishing spots that allow players to either lure fish or bait fish. However, these fishing spots are not very close to a bank, though are the most convenient lure fishing spots for free players.
- Lumbridge: In Lumbridge is a river that has some lure and bait fishing spots. However, a bank is very far away. Barbarian Village's fishing spots are recommended, as they are closer to a bank, though it too is far away.
Harpoon and Cage spots[edit]
- Karmaja: Behind Luthas' banana plantation is a small dock that has fishing spots allowing players to harpoon fish or cage lobsters. This is the only spot to fish tuna, swordfish, and lobsters on the free worlds. A bank is very far away and players have to pay 30 gp to go on the island and 30 gp to leave the island.
Pay to play fishing spots[edit]
- Catherby - All types of fishing except for fly fishing, close access to both a range and a bank so players can cook their catch on the way to storing it, useful for all fishing levels. The bank here is also a major location for buying and selling fish. The only problem here is there are so many people that spamming on the chat channels (people saying nonsense things or saying the same thing over and over), verbal fights, and insults are common. It can be very peaceful when public chat is off though, and sometimes intelligent discussions can be held with lots of people participating which can be very interesting.
- Shilo Village - Fly fishing only, highly efficient for fast leveling since the fishing store buys raw salmon and trout and sells feathers, only a few steps away from a bank and the fishing store, minor inconvenience of not having any way to cook the fish since there are no ranges or trees that can be chopped for fires. People leveling here often take the fishing experience without the cooking and get in trouble later on when they are catching sharks but can't cook them. Another problem is that by the time players are able to do the Shilo Village quest required to enter the village their fishing level will hardly benefit from fly fishing training. The quest is one of the more experienced ones in the game and as such only high level players can do it, most of the high levels around have been smart enough to really work on their fishing skill and as such fly fishing only gives them minimal experience.
- Fishing Guild - Lobster, tuna, swordfish, and sharks can be caught here. A fishing level of 68 is required but fishing potions and some of the new pies can be used to cheat. The two fishing platforms are extremely close to a bank. Another advantage is that both a lobster cage and a harpoon spawn right behind the entrance door. Like Shilo, there are inconveniences with cooking. There is a range, but it is far away from both the platforms and the bank. Most players fishing here will catch a certain number of fish and then go to catherby and use the range there to cook their catch. The guild is usually preferred to catherby as it is much more quiet.
Training[edit]
Free to play training[edit]
Here are some ways to raise a free player's fishing level.
- Levels 1 to 20
Net fish at the fishing spots in Draynor Village and Al Kahrid. This may seem slow and long, but it is faster than baiting fish, and fish caught may be stored in bank for simple cooking experience.
- Levels 20 to 65
Lure fish at Barbarian Village. Players will need many feathers, but this is a very fast method of raising fishing. Players may also fish lobsters at level 40, though it will be fairly slow until around level 60.
- Levels 65 to 99
Cage lobsters at Karmaja. Lobsters can be obtained very quickly giving good exp, though if a player wants to bank their lobsters, they will have to bring money.
- Levels 65 to 99
Harpoon at Karmaja. Players will catch both tuna and swordfish, though fishing lobsters is faster and gives better exp.
Pay to play training[edit]
Here are some ways to raise a member's fishing level.
- Levels 1 to 30
Fish at Catherby.
- Levels 30 to 40
Fly fish at Shilo or stay at Catherby. However, to fish at Shilo, players need to have finished the quest Shilo Village.
- Levels 40 to 68
Fish lobsters at Catherby or fly fish at Shilo for slightly faster xp.
- Levels 68 to 76
Fish lobsters at the Fishing Guild.
- Levels 76 to 99
Fish sharks at the Fishing Guild.
Fishing tuna and swordfish is not recommended as they don't give as good exp as lobsters.
With an admiral pie, players can enter the Fishing Guild at level 63 fishing. With a fishing potion, they can enter the Fishing Guild at level 65 fishing.
The Fishing Guild is recommended, though Catherby is also a good spot.
When cooking fish it helps if players have cooking gauntlets from the Family Crest quest, these ensure that the player burns their fish less often.