Can I Keep?Uku Regulations in Hawaii (2026)
Recreational uku rules in Hawaii saltwater, as published by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). Last checked November 7, 2026.
Size limit
Minimum size 1 pound (spearing and sale)
Can I keep it today? Check your harbor & date
Recreational Uku rules in Hawaii
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size 1 pound (spearing and sale)
Commercial rules
Show 2 commercial rules
- Where
- Statewide
- Size limit
- Minimum size 1 pound (spearing and sale)
- Individuals or vessels engaged in taking, selling or offering for sale any marine life for commercial purposes (including charter fishing services) must obtain a Commercial Marine License. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/commercial-fishing/)
- Every commercial marine licensee shall furnish to the Department of Land and Natural Resources a monthly report with respect to marine life taken and any bait used. The report shall be submitted no later than the tenth day of the month following the month in which the marine life was taken. (source: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/commercial-fishing/)
- Where
- Federal waters (EEZ) (ocean)
- Bag limit
- Fishery-wide ACL: 2022 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2023 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2024 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2025 ACL: 295,419 lb
- Fishing for Hawaii bottomfish MUS or ECS, or seamount groundfish MUS with bottom trawls and bottom set gillnets is prohibited.
- MHI uku annual catch limit, 50 CFR 665.211: 2022 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2023 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2024 ACL: 295,419 lb; 2025 ACL: 295,419 lb.
- MHI uku annual catch target: 2022 ACT: 291,010 lb; 2023 ACT: 291,010 lb; 2024 ACT: 291,010 lb; 2025 ACT: 291,010 lb.
- (b) When a bottomfish ACL or ACT is projected to be reached based on analyses of available information, the Regional Administrator shall publish a document to that effect in the Federal Register and shall use other means to notify permit holders. The document will include an advisement that the fishery will be closed beginning at a specified date, which is not earlier than seven days after the date of filing the closure notice for public inspection at the Office of the Federal Register, until the end of the fishing year in which the ACL or ACT is reached.
- (c) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may fish for or possess any bottomfish MUS from a closed fishery in the MHI management subarea, except as otherwise allowed in this section.
- (d) On and after the date specified in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may sell or offer for sale any bottomfish MUS from a closed fishery, except as otherwise authorized by law.
- The eCFR table lists uku ACLs only through 2025; no later ACL is codified as of July 23, 2026.
Quick answers
What is the uku size limit in Hawaii?
Minimum size 1 pound (spearing and sale).
More groundfish & flatfish in Hawaii
All Hawaii saltwater fishing regulations →
Source: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). Most anglers need a Hawaii saltwater license or registry: get one here.