Can I Keep?Hawaii Saltwater Fishing Regulations (2026)
Recreational size limits, bag limits and seasons for 53 saltwater species in Hawaii, from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). Last checked November 7, 2026. Where a species has several rules (by area or water), the table shows the first; open the species for all of them.
Check what's open at your harbor today
Official Hawaii regulations · Saltwater fishing license
Inshore
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Ama‘ama (striped mullet) | Minimum size 11 inches (see measurement guide) | — | Closed season December - March |
| ‘Īlioholoikauaua (Hawaiian monk seal) | — | — | Unlawful to molest, kill, capture, or possess at any time; |
| ‘Ō‘io | Minimum size 14 inches | — | — |
| Āholehole | Minimum size 5 inches | — | — |
| Awa | Minimum size 9 inches | — | — |
| Moi | Minimum size 11 inches | Bag limit 15 | Closed season June - August |
Reef fish
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| All other goatfishes | Minimum size 8 inches | — | — |
| Kala | Minimum size 14 inches | Bag limit 4 | — |
| Kala ‘ōpelu | Minimum size 16 inches | — | — |
| Kole | Minimum size 5 inches | — | — |
| Kūmū (2 rules) | Minimum size 10 inches (statewide except Maui) | — | — |
| Manini | Minimum size 6 inches | — | — |
| Moano (2 rules) | Minimum size 7 inches (statewide except Maui) | — | — |
| Moano kea | Minimum size 12 inches | Bag limit 2 | — |
| Munu | Minimum size 8 inches | Bag limit 2 | — |
| Pāku‘iku‘i | — | — | Take prohibited in West Hawaii Regional Fishery Management Area… |
| Uhu ‘ahu‘ula | Minimum size 14 inches | Bag limit 2 (total all species) | — |
| Uhu ‘ele‘ele | Minimum size 14 inches | Bag limit 2 total all species | No take on Maui |
| Uhu (all species, except as noted below) | Minimum size 10 inches | Bag limit 2 total all species | — |
| Uhu pālukaluka | Minimum size 14 inches | Bag limit 2 (total all species) | — |
| Uhu uliuli | Minimum size 14 inches | Bag limit 2 total all species | No take on Maui |
| Ulua and pāpio | Minimum size 10 inches; Minimum size 16 inches for sale | Bag limit 20 (total all species, non-commercial only) | — |
| Weke ‘ā, weke ‘ula, and ‘oama | Minimum size 8 inches | Bag limit 50 ‘oama (‘oama are weke under 8 inches) | — |
| Weke and ‘oama | Minimum size 7 inches (sale) | Bag limit 50 ‘oama (‘oama are weke under 7 inches) | — |
| Weke nono | Minimum size 12 inches | — | — |
Offshore & pelagic
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Ahi | Minimum size 3 pounds (sale) | — | — |
| ‘Iao | — | — | — |
| ‘Ōpelu | — | — | — |
| Akule and halalū | — | — | Unlawful to take akule under 8-1/2 inches with net July through… |
| Nehu | — | Bag limit one gallon (home consumption); | — |
Groundfish & flatfish
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Ōpakapaka | Minimum size 1 pound (sale) | 5 per person | — |
| ‘Ukikiki (gindai) | — | 5 per person | — |
| ‘Ula‘ula (ehu) | — | 5 per person | — |
| ‘Ula‘ula koa‘e (onaga) | Minimum size 1 pound (sale) | 5 per person | — |
| Hāpu‘u | — | 5 per person | — |
| Kalekale | — | 5 per person | — |
| Lehi | — | 5 per person | — |
| Uku | Minimum size 1 pound (spearing and sale) | — | — |
Crabs, lobster & shrimp
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pāpa‘i kualoa (Kona crab) | Minimum size 4 inches (carapace length) | — | Closed season May - September; |
| Pāpa‘i kūhonu (kuahonu, white or "haole" crab) | Minimum size 4 inches (long or wide) (sale) | — | — |
| Samoan crab | Minimum size 6 inches (width across back) | — | — |
| Ula (Spiny lobster) | Minimum size 3-1/4 inches (carapace length) | — | Closed season May - August; |
| Ula pāpapa (Slipper lobster) | Minimum size 2-3/4 inches (tail width) | — | Closed season May - August; |
Clams, oysters & scallops
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| ‘Opihi | 1.25 in minimum | — | — |
| Clams, oysters, and other shellfish | — | — | Season closed; taking prohibited |
| He‘e (octopus, tako, "squid") | Minimum size 1 pound | — | — |
| Sea cucumbers | — | Personal use limited to 10 per person per day.; Tiger tail… | — |
Other species
| Species | Size limit | Bag limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honu (Sea turtles) | — | — | No open season |
| Limu (ogo) | — | Bag limits:; One pound per person per day for home consumption;; Ten… | — |
| Live rocks | — | — | Unlawful to take, break or damage, any live rock, defined as any… |
| Mano (shark) and hīhīmau (ray) | — | — | Unlawful to intentionally or knowingly capture or entangle any shark… |
| Pink, gold, and black corals | — | — | Unlawful to take, destroy, possess or sell any pink or gold corals… |
| Stony coral | — | — | Unlawful to take, break or damage, any stony coral, including any… |