Introduction

The fishing skill is one of the few non combat skills that allows you make something from nothing by collecting fish as a raw resource, similar to woodcutting and mining. Everyone needs food to fight with and fish are the most popular source making it a very beneficial and profitable skill to have.

In this guide you will find out about each of the basic tools for catching fish and the locations in which you can do so.

If you are just starting out in Fishing you may want to pay a visit to Finlay the Fishing Tutor on the beach, south of the graveyard in Lumbridge to learn about the different kinds of fish. He will give you a free small fishing net if you lose yours.

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Basic Tools

	Net (Level 1): When you first start fishing, the only thing you can catch is shrimp. These small creatures can be found in many parts of the sea in RuneScape. One of the best places if you want cooking experience as well, is on the seashore near Draynor Village. Just a little Southwest of the bank there's a fishing spot where you can catch shrimp, and there are lots of trees around to get wood for your cooking fire. To catch shrimp, you'll need a "Small Fishing Net", that can be bought in the Port Sarim fishing shop for 5 gold pieces. You can also catch anchovies with the net at level 15. If you are a member and have completed the Swan Song quest you might want to dust off your small net and put it back to use catching monkfish (level 62) at the Piscatoris Fishing Colony. Not only do they heal 16 each after cooking, also give more fishing experience than sharks!
	Baiting at sea (Level 5): Once you catch enough shrimp and your fishing level reaches 5, you will be able to catch sardines. To catch sardines, you'll need a fishing rod and some bait. A fishing rod costs 5 gold pieces. Bait prices are based on how many the store has in stock. The shop will normally be stocked with 1500 units of bait, and they cost 3 gold pieces each at that amount. You can also catch herring with bait and a fishing rod, but you will need level 10 fishing to catch them. You can catch both sardines and herring from the sea. To use your fishing rod and bait, first make sure you have both in your inventory. Then right-click on the fishing spot and select the second option, which is 'Bait'. You will use one bait each time you catch a fish. Baiting in river (Level 25): You can also Fish with bait in the rivers of RuneScape, but you won't catch sardines or herring as these are sea fish. When you fish with a fishing rod and bait in a river, you'll catch pike. This fish heals 8, and you need level 25 to fish it. Again, get a fishing rod and some bait, and start fishing. Bait is the second option when you right click on the river fishing spots. Note: You can also get bait from killing zombies and banshees.
	Big Net (Level 16/P2P): When you reach level 16 you can begin big net fishing. As well as catching mackerel you may find other things washing into your net such as oysters, seaweed, leather gloves/boots, or every once in a while a casket which can contain coins, gems, talismans or even a half of a key. Wearing a Necklace of Skills will increase your chances of getting a casket. Then when you get to level 23 you will also begin to find cod in your net. Once you reach level 46 you can start catching bass with your net or big bass if you're lucky enough (which can be stuffed and mounted using the Construction skill). Although you might want to carry on catching lobsters at this point because you will still catch quite a few seaweed and old boots which aren't very appetising.
	Feathering/luring (Level 20): Next up is fly-fishing. You will need level 20 fishing to catch trout, and level 30 fishing to catch salmon. To go fly fishing, you will need a fly fishing rod and some feathers. Like all other F2P fishing equipment, both can be bought in the fishing shop in Port Sarim. You can fly fish only in the RuneScape rivers. You cannot use your fly-fishing rod and feathers on fishing spots in the sea. To fly-fish, simply click on the fishing spot and to select "Lure". You will use one feather each time you catch a fish. Note: You can also get feathers from killing chickens. If you're fishing and cooking for experience, then Lumbridge is probably the best place to be. Just fish, get some wood, start a fire, cook your fish then either drop or eat. Fly-fishing is probably your best bet for power fishing because it has a high catch rate and can earn you over 50% more experience per hour than catching monkfish, even at level 90+! If, however, you want to bank the fish instead of eat/drop it, then Barbarian village is probably the best place for you. Fish, cook them in the barbarian house farthest to the North (there's 2 ever-lasting fires), and go North into Edgeville and bank your fish. Many pk'ers like trout and salmon because they heal 7-9 hp, and if they're only 5 hp down it's a waste eating a whole lobster or swordfish. At level 38 members can catch rainbow fish by using stripey feathers rather than regular feathers. Stripey feathers can be obtained by snaring tropical wagtails (hunting level 19). Rainbow fish can be used raw to hunt barb-tailed kebbits, or cooked and eaten to heal 11hp.
	Harpooning (Level 35): Next up is the big boys (well, fish actually). Get your Harpoon (Port Sarim fishing shop, costs 5 gold pieces) and head off to the beautiful island of Karamja (take the boat from Port Sarim). Go down to the fishing dock, located North of the banana field. The trip to Karamja will cost you 30 gold pieces by the way, and another 30 to get back. Here you'll be able to catch tuna with the harpoon. Simply right click on the fishing spot and select "harpoon". Tuna is good for training on low level monsters that won't hit you that hard. For example, Karamja Volcano has red spiders and skeletons which are good for training. There are also Lesser Demons, but you might need some better food for them. Next on the harpooning chain is swordfish. You will need level 50 fishing to fish these. They heal 14 hp, and you catch them the same place you catch tuna. Depending on your fishing level, you will most likely get more tuna than swordfish when harpooning for them. Like the tuna, you also need a harpoon to catch swordfish. Members who reach a lofty level 76 can start catching the bone-crunching sharks. They heal an amazing 20 hp, and you catch them the same place you go big net fishing. Note: If you are p2p, you can obtain Barb-tail harpoons from Barb-tailed Kebbits (level 33 Hunter) or buy from other players. A barb-tail harpoon is wieldable, which frees up 1 more inventory space. That's handy isn't it?
	Caging (Level 40): You can also fish lobsters on Karamja. However, to do this, you will need a "Lobster Pot" to do this (don't ask WHY they call it a pot...makes more sense to call it a cage. A pot is for cooking! Oh well...). The lobster pot will cost 20 gold pieces from the Port Sarim fishing shop. Lobsters are a great way of making money. Many people prefer lobsters for training food, because you only need level 40 to fish and cook them, and they heal 12 hp. Cage is the first option when you click on the sea fishing spot.
	Heavy Rod Fishing (Level 48): When you reach level 48 fishing and have completed enough Barbarian Training, you will be able to catch Leaping trout. At higher fishing levels you can catch Leaping salmon and even Leaping sturgeon (there are strength and agility level requirements as well). You will need a Heavy fishing rod, as well as bait to catch these fish. A Heavy fishing rod can be found under Otto's bed. You can use any of these items as bait(from left to right of the picture): Bait, Feather, Fish cutoffs, Caviar, Roe. As a bonus to fishing experience, you will also gain a small amount of Strength and Agility experience. The Leaping trout and salmon are no different then their fly fishing counterparts except that these fish cannot be cooked. But if you use a knife with a leaping fish, you will obtain 10 cooking experience as well as one or more of the following: Fish cutoffs, Roe (Trout, Salmon), Caviar (Sturgeon). But sometimes cutting up the fish will give you nothing. The Roe and Caviar can be used on 2 dose potions to enhance them. A dose of these potions will heal a few HP as well as the normal potion effect.
	Fishing without a Harpoon (Level 55): With 55 Fishing and more Barbarian Training, members can use their own bare hands to capture fish! This is exactly like Harpoon fishing, but you will get some Strength exp as well. Take note that to do this, you must have a Strength level equivalent to the fishing level that is needed to normally catch this fish. For example, Tuna requires 55 Fishing and 35 Strength to capture.
	Vessel (Level 62/P2P): When you have completed Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest and have the appropriate fishing level you can catch your own Karambwan which heals 18 each if cooked properly. First you need loads of Karambwanji for bait. Use a small net to catch them in the lake just south of the Tai Bwo Wannai village fire ring. When you think you have enough, grab your vessel and head across the log bridge and up to the north shore. Use a Karambwanji with your vessel to load it, then click on a fishing spot and away you go! Remember, you have to reload your vessel after each catch. Players who have at least started Fairy Tale Part II quest to access fairy rings, can use code CKR for the Karambwanji lake, and code DKP to reach the Karambwan fishing shore. Note: If you've lost your vessel you can buy a new one from Tiadeche in the village; he will also buy raw Karambwan from you.

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Members Locations

Catherby
Probably the most popular members fishing spot. There's a fishing shop right next to the fishing spots where you can buy and sell both fishing equipment and fish. The shop owner has all you need to fish, except fly fishing rods and feathers.

At the fishing spots in Catherby you're able to fish with Small Net, Big Net, Bait, Cage and Harpoon. You can catch the following things/fish: shrimp, anchovies, sardines, herring, oysters, caskets, seaweed, mackerel, cod, tuna, lobsters, swordfish, bass and shark.

Nearest bank: Catherby

Fishing platform
You'll have to have done the Sea Slug Quest to come here. It's not that great of a fishing spot. You're able to net, bait, harpoon and cage fish. Check out our Sea Slug Quest Guide for more information on the quest.

You're able to catch shrimp, anchovies, sardines, herring, tuna, lobsters, and swordfish at the sea level of the platform.

Nearest bank: Legends Guild or Ardougne.

Gnome Stronghold
Here you'll find a few fishing spots, they're in the middle west of the stronghold, and you're be able to both lure and bait fish... There isn't much to say about this place, other than it was used a lot in RSC for power fishing, but in RS, it's rather deserted...

Nearest bank: Gnome stronghold (East of the fishing spots).

Rellekka
To get access to this fishing spot, you'll first have to complete Fremennik Trials quest. The fishing spots here yield pretty much the same thing as in Catherby, but you'll find the area a lot less crowded. However, the only banks nearby require boat rides: to Miscellania, Jatizso or Neitiznot. The Fishmonger sells equipment and and will buy your catch.

At the fishing spots in Rellekka, you can use Small Net, Big Net, Bait, Cage and Harpoon. You can catch the following things/fish: shrimp, anchovies, sardines, herring, oysters, caskets, seaweed, mackerel, cod, tuna, lobsters, bass, swordfish, and shark.

Nearest bank: Miscellania, Jatizso, Neitiznot

Piscatoris Fishing Colony
To get access to this fishing spot, you'll first have to complete the Swan Song quest. Once you complete the quest, you can get to the Piscatoris Fishing Colony by boat (see Kathy Corkat located northwest of the Gnome Stronghold), or use Fairy Ring coordinates AKQ. The Piscatoris Fishing Colony is the only place in RuneScape where you can catch monkfish. In order to catch these fish, you'll have to use a small fishing net. You can also catch tuna and swordfish, provided you have a harpoon with you. The general store sells nets.

Nearest bank: Piscatoris Fishing Colony

Burgh de Rott
After you have fixed the bank during the In Aid of the Myreque quest you might want to consider staying a while for gourmet meals. No, not the snails that wander nearby! This town has plenty of big net and shark catching spots just a stone's throw away from a bank, making it perfect for more experienced players. To get here take the Myreque shortcut under Canifis pub, then after a brief walk south through the swamp hop in the row boat to Mort'ton. Walk south over the bridge; it's just that easy!

Nearest bank: Burgh de Rott

Barbarian Outpost
To get here, the best way is to teleport using the Games necklace, to Barbarian Assault, and then go south. Or teleport to Ardougne and go north west. With enough Barbarian Training, you can catch Leaping fish here. The fish cannot be cooked, and the bank is a fair distance away, so people just drop the fish. But that is a mistake. If you bring a knife with you, you can use it to cut the fish you have to get some Fish cutoffs (stackable), Roe, and Caviar. This gives you 10 cooking experience and the items you get can be used as bait to catch more fish. Theoretically, you could get from 48-99 fishing with only 27 Bait/Feathers!

Nearest bank: Barbarian Assault deposit box/Grand Tree

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Fishing Table

Fish
Pic	Name	Fishing lvl	Fishing exp	Cooking lvl	Cooking exp	Healing	Tool / Bait	Where
	Shrimp	1	10	1	30	3	Net	Any Sea
	Karambwanji**	5	5	1	30	3	Net	Karamja Jungle
	Sardine	5	20	1	40	4	Fishing rod + Bait	Any Sea
	Herring	10	30	5	50	5	Fishing rod + Bait	Any Sea
	Anchovy	15	40	1	30	1	Net	Any Sea
	Mackerel	16	20	10	60	6	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Oyster	16	10	-	-	-	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Casket	16	10	-	-	-	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Seaweed	16	1	-	-	-	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Trout	20	50	15	70	7	Fly fishing rod + Feather	Any River
	Cod	23	45	18	75	7	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Pike	25	60	20	80	8	Fishing rod + Bait	Any River
	Slimey Eel	28	65	28	95	6-10	Fishing rod + Bait	Mort Myre Swamp & Lumbridge Swamp Caves
	Salmon	30	70	25	90	9	Fly fishing rod + Feather	Any River
	Frog Spawn	33	75	n/a	n/a	3-6	Net	Lumbridge Swamp Caves
	Tuna	35	80	30	100	10	Harpoon	Karamja, Fishing guild, Catherby, Rellekka
	Cave Eel	38	80	28	115	7-11	Fishing rod + Bait	Lumbridge Swamp Caves
	Rainbow Fish	38	80	35	110	11	Fly fishing rod + Stripey Feather	Any River
	Lobster	40	90	40	120	12	Lobster cage	Karamja, Fishing guild, Catherby, Rellekka
	Bass	46	100	43	130	13	Big Net	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Swordfish	50	100	45	140	14	Harpoon	Karamja, Fishing guild, Catherby, Rellekka
	Lava Eel*	53	60	53	30	14	Oily Fishing rod + Bait	Members dungeon lava spot.
	Monkfish***	62	120	62	150	16	Net	The Piscatoris Fishing Colony
	Karambwan**	65	105	1	80	18	Vessel	Karamja Jungle
	Shark	76	110	80	210	20	Harpoon	Catherby, Rellekka and Fishing Guild
	Sea Turtle	79	38	82	211.3	21	Trawler	North of Yanille
	Manta Ray	81	46	91	216.3	22	Trawler	North of Yanille

* See our Hero's quest guide for more information.
** See our Tai Bwo Wannai Trio quest guide for more information.
*** See our Swan Song quest guide for more information.

Barbarian Fishing Table

Barbarian Heavy Rod Fishing Information
Fish		Required Levels		Experience Gain
		Fishing	Strength/Agility	Fishing	Strength/Agility
Leaping Trout		48	15	50 xp	5 xp
Leaping Salmon		58	30	70 xp	6 xp
Leaping Sturgeon		70	45	80 xp	7 xp

Barbarian Bare-Handed Fishing Information
Fish	Required Levels		Experience Gain
	Fishing	Strength	Fishing	Strength
Tuna	55	35	80 xp	8 xp
Swordfish	70	50	100 xp	10 xp
Shark	96	76	110 xp	11 xp

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Fishing guild

You must be level 68 fishing to enter the guild. You can, however, get in at level 65 or even 63 ... just drink a fishing potion or eat a fish pie if you are level 63 or 64, or eat an admiral pie at level 63 and enter the guild. For more information about the fishing guild, visit our Fishing Guild Guide. For more information about fishing potions, check our Herblore Guide. For more information about fish and admiral pies, see the Cooking Guide.

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Random events

Like many other skills, fishing has some unique random events. Random events related to fishing include the River Troll and the Big Fish, among others. For more information about these, check our Random Events Guide.

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Cape of Achievement

Once you have mastered the skill and reached level 99 you may want to buy a Fishing Cape from the master fisher that stands outside the Fishing Guild. Refer to the Achievement Capes guide for more details.