Non-resident marine recreational fishing license approved but not yet required

On June 8 Gov. Ige signed into law House Bill 1023 which establishes and requires a marine recreational fishing license for all non-Hawaii residents. However, DLNR must first adopt an administrative rule to that effect and set up a licensing system. That process could take up to a year to complete. In the meantime, non-residents can still fish recreationally in the ocean without a license.

Once the rule is adopted and a license system is in place, non-residents will need to purchase a license in order to fish from the shoreline or a boat. That will include charter boat clients. The fees will be:

  • One-day license $20
  • Seven-day license $40
  • Annual license $70
  • No license needed for children 15 and younger
  • No license needed for active duty military, spouses, and children

DAR will post announcements on this website to let the public know when the draft rule will go to the Land Board for approvals, and when the new licensing requirement will go into effect.