Hawaii fishing seasons

37 species profiles in our database list Hawaii waters among their fisheries — including Wahoo, Bigeye Tuna, Butterfly Peacock Bass, Convict Cichlid. Below: what's in season month by month, where to fish, and the licence source you need. Seasons shift year to year; the official agency has the final word.

Hawaii fishing calendar, month by month

Jan—Feb—Mar—Apr—May—Jun—Jul—Aug—Sep—Oct—Nov—Dec—

Each month links to the species in season then, from our season windows. A month is charted when at least 3 species are in season.

Freshwater species in Hawaii

SpeciesSeason
Butterfly Peacock BassVaries by climate, water level, and local regulation
Convict CichlidVaries by climate, water level, and local regulation
Redtail BryconVaries by region and regulation
Silver DollarVaries by region and regulation

Saltwater & brackish species in Hawaii

SpeciesSeason
Atlantic SpadefishVaries by migration, temperature, region, and regulation
BalloonfishVaries by region and regulation
Bigeye ThresherHighly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Bigeye TunaLate Spring–Fall in many regions; varies by current/temperature
Blacktip TrevallyVaries by region and regulation
Bluefin TrevallyVaries by region and regulation
Brassy TrevallyVaries by region and regulation
Bumphead ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Checkered PufferVaries by region and regulation
Copperband ButterflyfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
EscolarHighly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Golden TrevallyVaries by region and regulation
Midnight ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Northern PufferVaries by region and regulation
Ocean TriggerfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
OilfishHighly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
OpahHighly migratory; availability varies by current, temperature, and regulation
Pacific SpadefishVaries by migration, temperature, region, and regulation
Picasso TriggerfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
PorcupinefishVaries by region and regulation
Princess ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Queen ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Queen TriggerfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Rainbow ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Redtail TriggerfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Scrawled CowfishVaries by region and regulation
Smooth TrunkfishVaries by region and regulation
Southern PufferVaries by region and regulation
Spotted TrunkfishVaries by region and regulation
Stoplight ParrotfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
Tiger SharkVaries by region and regulation
Titan TriggerfishVaries by region, spawning cycle, and fishery regulation
WahooLate Spring–Fall in many regions; varies by current/temperature

Where to fish in Hawaii

Fishing in the West

Washington · Oregon · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Idaho · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Alaska

Licences & regulations — Hawaii (DAR)

Rules, seasons and size limits change: check the official agency before you fish.

Official: dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar

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