Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release May 2, 2018

DLNR ANNOUNCES 2018 OPEN FISHING SEASON STARTING JUNE 16
FOR RAINBOW TROUT AT KOKE‘E PUBLIC FISHING AREA, KAUA‘I

LIHU‘E – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) announces an open fishing season for rainbow trout in the Koke‘e Public Fishing Area (PFA) on Kaua‘i, beginning Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Anglers may fish daily from Saturday, June 16,to Sunday, September 30, 2018.  Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Rainbow trout fishing in the Koke‘e PFA has been extremely popular for years, not only for Hawai‘i residents, but also for families from the mainland who plan their summer vacations around it, which is good for Kaua‘i’s economy,” said Bruce Anderson, administrator of DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources. 

“Trout are also found in streams and ditch systems throughout the public fishing area, but fishing success there is poor because stream stocking was discontinued a number of years ago.  Over 95% of the catch is from Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, where anglers will have a chance to catch trout from last year’s stocking,” Anderson said.

Last year, 3,698 anglers caught 14,536 trout with the largest trout caught on June 18, 2017 measuring 19.5 inches in length and weighing 4 pounds.  Trout fishing is expected to be good this year because 27,000 young trout were stocked in the reservoir.

Anglers must have a valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license.  Licenses may be obtained at DLNR offices, at selected fishing supply stores, license agents, or purchased online at https://freshwater.ehawaii.gov/freshwater/.

IMPORTANT:  The daily bag limit for this year will be 10 rainbow trout per licensed angler.  Catch-and-release fishing is prohibited; all trout caught must be retained by the angler and count towards their bag limit.  Each angler may fish with only one line, with one single barbed hook (lure or baited).  Use of treble hooks is prohibited.  The launch or use of any vessel or floatable object, motorized, non-motorized, or wind-powered in Pu‘u Reservoir is prohibited.  No camping is permitted in the vicinity of the reservoir, and open fires are strictly prohibited due to risk of fire hazard.  Dogs are prohibited around the reservoir bank for the safety and courtesy of other anglers.  No private vehicle access will be allowed to boat launch area to fish due to severe erosion from heavy winter rains. 

The complete rules on fishing for rainbow trout at Koke‘e PFA can be found on the Division of Aquatic Resources web site https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar, or by calling one of the DAR offices listed below.

Anglers are advised that a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for driving to all fishing areas, including Pu‘u Lua reservoir, the streams, and ditch systems.

All anglers are required to check in and out at established check-in stations as follows:

1. Pu‘u Lua Reservoir’s two stations at the parking area and at the reservoir intake.
2. Koke‘e Park headquarters for streams and the upper ditch systems with access through Camp 10 and Halemanu Roads.
3. Trail 2 for the lower ditch systems.  Due to road hazards and conditions, vehicle access to the lower ditch systems is prohibited.  Access by walk-in only.

 

For further information or the current list of license agents, see the Division of Aquatic Resources web site or call the Division of Aquatic Resources on O‘ahu at 832-5009 or on Kaua‘i at 274-3344.

# # #

Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320