Fishing in Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is one of the classic, relaxing skilling activities that many players enjoy. It's a great way to earn some OSRS gold, train a skill efficiently, and gather food for combat or quests. For free-to-play (F2P) players, fishing is a viable and rewarding skill that can be trained from level 1 all the way to the coveted level 99. This guide will walk you through the best fishing spots, methods, gear, and tips for efficient and enjoyable training in F2P OSRS.

Why Train Fishing in F2P?

Fishing is a popular skill because:

It's consistent and easy to train, requiring minimal attention.

Fish caught can be sold for gold, making it a source of income.

Fish are essential food items in combat, providing healing.

Fishing is required for some quests and achievement diaries.

It can be a peaceful way to spend time in-game while chatting or doing other low-focus activities.

Fishing Basics: Equipment and Requirements

Before diving into specific methods, here are some key basics for F2P fishing:

Fishing Tools:

Small fishing net for shrimp and anchovies (level 1).

Fishing rod and bait for trout and salmon (level 20).

Lobster pot for lobsters (level 40).

Inventory Space: Always bring a full inventory of fishing tools or bait, and ensure you have plenty of free inventory space for fish.

Location: Different fish are available at different spots. We'll cover the best F2P fishing locations below.

Level 1-20: Shrimp and Anchovies

Method: Small Net Fishing

Fish: Shrimp and Anchovies

Fishing tool: Small fishing net

Location: Draynor Village, Lumbridge Swamp, or the Al Kharid fishing spots

How to Start:

From level 1, you can fish shrimp and anchovies using a small fishing net. These fish are the slowest to catch and give the least XP, but they're easy to access and serve as a good introduction.

Go to Draynor Village, near the docks, and start fishing shrimp and anchovies.

Continue fishing here until level 20.

XP Rates:

Shrimp: ~10 XP per catch

Anchovies: Slightly higher XP than shrimp, but you can catch both simultaneously.

Level 20-40: Trout and Salmon

Method: Fly Fishing

Fish: Trout and Salmon

Fishing tool: Fly fishing rod and feathers (bait)

Location: Barbarian Village (West of Varrock), Lumbridge Swamp

How to Fish:

At level 20 Fishing, you unlock the ability to use a fly fishing rod with feathers to catch trout and salmon. This method provides faster XP than small net fishing.

Head to Barbarian Village's river (west of Varrock).

Use your fly fishing rod with feathers on the fishing spots for trout and salmon.

Fish both trout and salmon together to maximize XP rates.

XP Rates:

Trout: ~40 XP per catch

Salmon: ~70 XP per catch

This method is quite efficient and popular among F2P players.

Level 40-99: Lobsters

Method: Lobster Fishing

Fish: Lobsters

Fishing tool: Lobster pot

Location: Karamja, Ardougne, or Catherby (though Catherby requires membership)

How to Fish:

At level 40, you unlock lobster fishing with the lobster pot. Lobsters are highly sought after for their decent XP and decent selling price.

Recommended spot for F2P: Karamja's eastern dock.

Use the lobster pot on the lobster spots.

Lobster fishing is slower XP than fly fishing but provides better income.

XP Rates:

Lobsters give around 90 XP per catch.

With efficient methods and attention, you can get roughly 40k-50k XP per hour.

Alternative Fish for F2P

While shrimp, trout, salmon, and lobsters are the main F2P fish, you can also catch:

Swordfish and Tuna: Level 50 Fishing and membership required, so unavailable for F2P.

Crayfish: Level 1 with a small net, but XP is very slow.

Best F2P Fishing Spots and How to Get There

Draynor Village Fishing Spots

Great for shrimp and anchovies. Near Draynor Village bank, making it easy to bank fish or switch to other activities.

Barbarian Village (West of Varrock)

The go-to spot for fly fishing trout and salmon. You can easily access Varrock bank for banking or continue fishing for XP.

Karamja Eastern Dock

Best lobster fishing spot in F2P. While it's a bit farther from the bank, the XP and profit are better. Consider running between Karamja and the bank or using the nearby fruit tree patch for quick banking of caught fish.

Lumbridge Swamp

Another option for shrimp, anchovies, trout, and salmon fishing. Good for early levels.

Tips for Efficient F2P Fishing

Bring bait and fishing tools in bulk to avoid wasting time banking.

Use the best available fishing tool for your level to maximize your catch rate. You can also buy OSRS gold to get better tools.

Choose fishing spots near banks or places where you can easily bank your fish if you want to sell them or save inventory space.

Fish while multitasking: OSRS fishing is slow and repetitive; it's perfect for watching a stream, listening to music, or chatting while fishing.

Use the Varrock teleport or Karamja gloves (if members, but otherwise use nearby lodestones or run) to get to fishing spots faster.

Fish for lobsters once you hit level 40 for a good balance of XP and profit.

Don't forget to cook your fish! Cooking your catch can increase the selling price and make your food more useful for combat.

How to Maximize XP Rates

For players focused on XP, here's what to prioritize:

Always fish the highest-level fish available to you. For example, at level 20 switch from shrimp to trout/salmon.

Focus on fishing at less crowded spots to avoid competition slowing down your catch rate.

Use fishing boosts when available (like the Fishing Potion, which requires membership).

For F2P, the fastest method is usually fly fishing trout and salmon at level 20 until you hit level 40, then switching to lobsters.

Profiting While Fishing in F2P

Fishing in F2P isn't just about XP-many players use it as a way to make money.

Shrimp and anchovies sell for almost no gold, so they are mainly for XP.

Trout and salmon provide modest income, especially when sold in bulk.

Lobsters are the main moneymaker for F2P fishing and can sell for a decent amount on the Grand Exchange.

Cooking fish before selling can increase the price but requires Cooking levels and an oven.

Additional Useful Information

Fishing Trawler mini-game and Barbarian Fishing are members-only and not available in F2P.

Fish like swordfish, tuna, and monkfish require membership.

If you're training multiple skills, consider combining fishing with Cooking to level both simultaneously.

Some quests require fishing or cooked fish, so it's a useful skill to level for progression.

Conclusion

Fishing is one of the most accessible and enjoyable skills to train in OSRS F2P. With simple tools and a few key locations, you can progress efficiently from level 1 to 99 fishing while earning some gold and gathering food. Whether you want to fish casually or grind for max level, following this ultimate F2P fishing guide will set you up for success.

Ready your fishing gear, pick your favorite spot, and enjoy the steady rhythm of OSRS fishing!