Freshwater Fishing in Hawaii

While one tends to associate fishing in Hawaii with images of landing a marlin off the coast of Kona and other saltwater fishing expeditions, freshwater fishing aficionados traveling to Hawaii can target a wide variety of freshwater species including largemouth and smallmouth bass.

The largemouth bass, which were introduced to Hawaii in 1896 and are usually found in the reservoirs of Hawaii on the island of Oahu and Kaua'i. To date, the largest largemouth bass landed in Hawaii has been 8 pounds. These fish can be found in sluggish waters, where they are hiding under submerged logs, weeds or other cover near banks. Try surface or deep running lures such as plastic worms, crankbaits or spinnerbaits.

Anglers seeking smallmouth bass, a species introduced to Hawaii in 1953, can find them in the cool flowing streams and reservoirs on the islands of Kaua'i and Oahu. So far, the largest smallmouth bass found in Hawaii has been 3 pounds, 11 ounces. For anglers wishing to land a smallmouth bass, use small crankbaits (plugs), jigs, grubs, jerkbaits, poppers, plastic worms, spinnerbaits, spoons, in-line spinners, propbaits, and buzzbaits.

Despite the abundance of fresh water and hundreds of streams dotted throughout the Hawaiian islands, most reservoirs, stream banks and even streambeds in Hawaii remain privately owned or not easily accessible unless one befriends a native that knows that waters. Visitors desiring to fish these private areas can take advantage of the services of a fishing guide, who can access these waters. A Freshwater Game Fishing License (FWGFL) is required if one wishes to target any freshwater species.

However, visitors can access the Waihiawa Public Fishing area. This public fishing area, which is located in central Oahu, comprises approximately 300-acres of fishable water and includes a portion of the privately owned Lake Wilson. Waihiawa State Freshwater Park, located along the South Fork of the reservoir, includes a boat-launching ramp and vehicle-trailer parking areas. In addition to a freshwater game fishing license and entry permit, all anglers must possess a readily available life saving device, even when fishing from shore. Bass fishing is catch-and-release in this area.

There was bass fishing in Waiakea Pond in Hilo until a tsunami flooded the pond and all the freshwater fish were killed. They have tried stocking this pond a few times with no success.

Throughout the year temperatures on Hawaii range from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity increasing during the spring and summer months. The bass spawning seasons occurs during the winter and spring and is limited to reservoir habitats. According to Stan Wright, fly fishing guide, from November until December, the bass tend to school and chase the shad. He ads that winter in Hawaii can bring the occasional strong trade winds and rain. While one can fish year round, April through the end of October appear to be the prime months for landing a trophy bass in a tropical paradise.