Annual rainbow trout season at Kōke‘e, Kaua‘i opens June 16

The annual fishing season for rainbow trout in the Kōke‘e Public Fishing Area on Kaua‘i will open on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Anglers may fish daily from June 16 through Sept. 30, 2018. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m, and the daily bag limit for this year will be ten (10) rainbow trout per licensed angler. Anglers must have a valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license.  Licenses may be obtained at DAR offices, license agents, or purchased online.

Catch-and-release fishing is prohibited; all trout caught must be retained and count towards the bag limit. (Rainbow trout are somewhat delicate cold-water fish, and have a low chance of survival if caught and released back into Kōke‘e’s relatively warm summer waters.) 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 the 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. No private vehicle access will be allowed to boat launch area to fish due to severe erosion from heavy winter rains.

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.

The complete rules regarding fishing for rainbow trout at Koke‘e PFA can be found here.