Department of Land and Natural Resources

For Immediate News Release: July 13, 2020

OPEN SEASON FOR RAINBOW TROUT AT KŌKE‘E BEGINS TODAY WITHOUT LOTTERY

(Līhuʻe) – After evaluating current stock, the 2020 Rainbow Trout Season will be open without a lottery at the Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area on Kaua‘i. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) had previously opened sessions via a lottery system. The season opened today continuing through September 30, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Fishers have been extremely responsible, wearing facemasks when signing in and physically distancing throughout the lottery sessions. Fishers will be asked to continue wearing facemasks and to physically distance themselves at the reservoir.

Anglers must have a current valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license. Licenses may be obtained at DAR offices, authorized license agents, or purchased online. The daily bag limit for this year is seven rainbow trout per licensed angler. Catch-and-release fishing is prohibited; all trout caught must be retained by the angler and counts toward 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 use of canned or frozen whole corn for bait is prohibited. The launch or use of any vessel or floatable object, motorized, non-motorized, or wind-powered in Pu‘u Lua 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.

Anglers are advised that four-wheel-drive vehicles are 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:

• Pu‘u Lua Reservoir’s two stations at the parking area and at the reservoir intake.
• Kōke‘e State Park headquarters for streams and the upper ditch systems with access through Camp 10 and Halemanu Roads.
• 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.

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RESOURCES

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/

Purchase licenses online

https://freshwater.ehawaii.gov/freshwater/

Media Contact:

Giovonni Parks

Communications Specialist

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

[email protected]

808-587-0396 (Communications Office)