OSRS Drift Net Fishing Guide & XP Per Hour

Do you want to learn how to fish and level up your Hunter at the same time? This method is perfect for you. Besides being very efficient, you'll have fun while doing it. This method isn't widely used by Old School RuneScape users due to a lack of familiarity with it. Read on if you want to learn more about this method, because we'll cover everything from the requirements, location, and what's needed to carry out this activity.

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Requirements

To start Drift Net Fishing, you’ll need:

•   44 Hunter
•   47 Fishing
•   Numulites to pay for entry (200 daily, or 20,000 for permanent access)
•   Completion of Bone Voyage (for Fossil Island access)

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Location

Drift Net Fishing takes place in the underwater caves off Fossil Island. Once inside, you’ll be chasing shoals of fish into nets that you set up and dismantle repeatedly.

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Getting There

• Teleport with a Digsite Teleport and Barge a boat to Fossil Island.

• Run northeast to the rowboat, and select Row out to sea.

• Once on the small island, bank if needed, then dive into the rowboat to the west.

• Speak to Ceto to enter the Drift Net Fishing area (200 numulites/day or 20k permanent).

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How Drift Net Fishing Works

Step 1: RuneLite Plugin

Turn on the RuneLite Plugin called “Drift Net.”

Step 2: Setting Nets

Place two drift nets in the designated anchor spots. Always keep both nets up.

Step 3: Chasing Fish

Use your harpoon/trident to herd shoals of fish into the nets. Fish are more likely to enter nets once they pass specific tiles near the anchors—marking these helps maximize efficiency.

Step 4: Harvesting Nets

When a net is full (10 fish), click the anchor to dismantle it:

• Bank option: Costs numulites; sends fish/resources to the bank.
• Trash option: Instantly resets the net—recommended for XP focus.

Step 5: Repeat

Re-set the net, keep chasing shoals, and maintain momentum.

Pro tip: Stand slightly to the side of the anchor and click quickly to reset nets faster.

Gear and Inventory

Gear

Trident / Harpoon to chase fish into nets:

Best: Dragon Harpoon (+3 Fishing boost special attack)

Alternatives: Trident of the Seas, Trident of the Swamp, Merfolk Trident

Fishbowl Helmet & Diving Apparatus – required to breathe underwater.

Graceful pieces for running energy conservation.

Digsite Pendant or Digsite Teleport for quick teleports.

Flippers – faster underwater movement (Recommended but not necessary)

Inventory

• 80–110 Drift Nets (noted, then exchanged at Annette).
• Stamina Potions – to maintain run energy.
• Numulites – to pay for banking or permanent access.
  
  

Hunter & Fishing Experience Rates

At level 70 Hunter & Fishing:

•   110k+ Hunter XP/hr
• 8k+ Fishing XP/hr

In practice, most players average slightly less:

•   100k+ Hunter XP/hr
•   75k+ Fishing XP/hr
  
  

This makes Drift Net Fishing one of the best balanced dual-XP training methods in OSRS.

Rewards

Drop rates depend on your phishing level; as it increases, they'll drop more things for you.

Pufferfish (Varies), Raw anchovies (Varies), Raw sardine (Varies), Raw lobster (Varies), Oyster (Varies), Raw tuna (Varies), Raw swordfish (Varies), Raw shark (Varies), Raw manta ray (Varies), Raw sea turtle (Varies), Clue bottle (medium) (1/600)

Conclusion

Drift Net Fishing provides an easy yet repetitive way to level two skills at the same time, such as Hunter and Fishing. With consistent training, you can earn up to 190,000 XP per hour in the two skills combined without many requirements to get started. This method is well worth trying.