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 April 4, 2016

DLNR ANNOUNCES 2016 OPEN FISHING SEASON STARTING JUNE 18 
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 18, 2016.

Anglers may fish daily from Saturday, June 18, to Friday, Sept. 30, 2016. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Trout fishing at Pu‘u Lua Reservoir in Koke‘e has always been a popular family activity, and anglers will have a chance to catch trout from last year’s stocking,” said Suzanne Case, DLNR Chairperson.

Last year, 3,837 anglers caught 28,831 trout with the largest trout caught on opening day June 20, 2015 measuring 13.25 inches in length and weighing 1 pound, 5 ounce.  Last season’s largest trout was caught on September 15, 2015 and measured 18.5 inches in length and weighed 2 pounds 3 ounces.  Fishing was very good because over 32,000juvenile trout were stocked in the Pu‘u Lua Reservoir in 2014. Trout fishing is expected to also be good this year as more than 30,000 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://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/ .

IMPORTANT: The daily bag limit for this year will be 12 rainbow trout per licensed angler.  Anglers shall fish with only one pole and line, or one line using one lure with a single barbed hook or one baited single barbed hook attached to the single line. The use of treble hooks with bait and on lures are strictly prohibited. The launch or use of any vessel or floatable object, motorized, non-motorized, or wind-powered in the Pu‘u Lua Reservoir is prohibited. No camping and open fires are allowed in the vicinity of Pu‘u Lua Reservoir due to risk of fire hazard.  No dogs are permitted around the reservoir bank for the safety and courtesy of other anglers.

The complete rules on fishing for rainbow trout at Koke‘e PFA can be found on the Division of Aquatic Resources website listed above, or by calling your local DAR office.

Anglers should be aware that a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for driving to all fishing areas, including Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, the streams and ditch systems. Anglers should also note that fishing in the streams will be very poor because trout stocking in the streams has been discontinued.

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, please call the DLNR 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