Read this one carefully, because almost everyone arrives with the wrong question. Hawaii does not licence recreational saltwater fishing at all, and salt water is what nearly every visitor comes to fish. The licence below covers freshwater game fishing, of which the state has very little: a handful of reservoirs and streams, chiefly on Kauai and Oahu. Size, season and area rules still apply in salt water even though no licence does.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Hawaii fishing fee
The freshwater licence year runs 1 July to 30 June.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater, seven-day tourist | Visitor | 7 days | $10.00 |
| Freshwater game fishing, minors aged 9-15 | Either | Annual | $3.00 |
| Freshwater game fishing, resident or military, 16 and over | Resident | Annual | $5.00 |
| Freshwater game fishing, non-resident | Visitor | Annual | $25.00 |
| Freshwater, thirty-day tourist | Visitor | 30day | $20.00 |
Read this one carefully: Hawaii only licences FRESHWATER fishing, and the state has very little of it. Recreational saltwater fishing, which is what almost everyone comes here to do, needs no licence, though size, season and area rules still apply.
Who fishes free in Hawaii
- Everyone fishing in salt water: Hawaii does not licence recreational saltwater fishing at all.
- Anglers under 9.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 13 Hawaii waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Kona — Hawaii County
- Kaneohe Bay — Honolulu County
- Wahiawa Reservoir — Honolulu County
- Hilo Bay — Hawaii County
- Maalaea Bay — Maui County
- Hanalei Bay — Kauai County
- Kailua Bay — Honolulu County
- Waianae Coast — Honolulu County
- Waimea Bay — Honolulu County
- Nawiliwili Bay — Kauai County
- Kaunakakai — Maui County
- Kewalo Basin — Honolulu County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Hawaii?
$5.00 for a resident annual freshwater licence and $25.00 for a non-resident. Short-term licences cost less and are listed in full above.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Hawaii?
From age 9. Anglers under 9 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Hawaii fishing licence online?
Yes. Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater licences in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii sells them separately, so fishing both sides means either two licences or the combined option listed in the fee table.
Do I need a fishing licence in Hawaii?
Not for recreational saltwater fishing, which is what most people mean. Hawaii licences only freshwater game fishing, and even then from age nine. Size, bag and area rules apply in salt water regardless.
What does the Hawaii freshwater licence cover?
Freshwater game fishing in the state’s reservoirs and streams. It is $5.00 for a resident or military angler, $25.00 for a visitor, and $3.00 for minors aged 9 to 15.