Hawaii Fishing License
Issued by Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources
Fishing in Hawaii
Hawaii sits at the heart of the Pacific. Shore casters chase oio (bonefish), papio and ulua (giant trevally), and o'opu; offshore charters out of Kona produce 1,000-pound granders. Hawaii is the only state that licenses recreational saltwater fishing only for non-residents — residents and active-duty military don't need a saltwater license. The freshwater fishery is concentrated on a handful of stocked reservoirs like Wahiawa on O'ahu and Kokee streams on Kauai, where smallmouth bass, peacock bass (tucunaré), and rainbow trout are managed.
License Types & Fees
| License | Fee |
|---|---|
| Resident & Military Freshwater (16+) | $5.00 |
| Minor Freshwater (9–15) | $3.00 |
| Senior Freshwater (65+) | Free |
| Non-Resident Freshwater Annual | $25.00 |
| Non-Resident 7-Day Tourist Freshwater | $10.00 |
| Non-Resident 30-Day Tourist Freshwater | $20.00 |
| Non-Resident Marine Fishing Annual Required for ocean fishing; residents and active-duty military exempt | $70.00 |
| Non-Resident Marine Fishing 7-Day | $40.00 |
| Non-Resident Marine Fishing 1-Day | $20.00 |
| Bottomfish Fishing Vessel Registration Required to take/possess Deep 7 bottomfish | Free |
| Wahiawa Public Fishing Area Entry Permit Required for Wahiawa PFA on O'ahu in addition to freshwater license | Free |
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current pricing on the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources website before purchasing.
Hawaii residents and active-duty military do not need a saltwater license. Non-residents age 15 and older now need a Recreational Marine Fishing License for ocean fishing. Online processing fees may apply on top of listed prices.
Log Your Hawaii Catches
CatchVault is available on iOS. Identify species with AI, measure with LiDAR, and keep a private journal of every fish you land in Hawaii.