3-month trout season on Kauai to open June 20 at Kokee area

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It will be open season for rainbow trout for three months beginning June 20 at Kokee fishing area on Kauai.

Anglers may fish daily from June 20 to Sept. 27, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A valid State of Hawaii freshwater game fishing license is required, and may be obtained at DLNR offices, selected fishing supply stores, license agents, or online at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. The complete rules on fishing for rainbow trout at Kokee can be found on the Division of Aquatic Resources’ website or by calling the DAR office.

The daily bag limit for this year will be 12 rainbow trout per licensed angler.

Anglers can fish with only one pole and line, or one line using one lure with a single-barbed hook, or one baited single-barbed hook attached to the single line. The use of treble hooks with bait or on lures is prohibited, and the launch or use of any vessel or floatable object in the Pu‘u Lua Reservoir is prohibited. Camping and open fires are not allowed in the vicinity of Pu‘u Lua Reservoir.

Last year, 3,720 anglers caught 28,374 trout. The largest one caught on opening day, June 15, measured 18 inches long and weighed 3 pounds, 2 ounces. The largest for the season was caught Aug. 11 and measured 20.5 inches, weighing 4 pounds, 10 ounces.

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More than 42,000 juvenile trout were stocked in the Pu‘u Lua Reservoir in 2013. Trout fishing is expected to also be good this year as more than 39,000 young trout were stocked in the reservoir.

Anglers should be aware that a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended to get to all fishing areas, including Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, the streams and ditch systems. Anglers should also note that fishing in the streams will be very poor because trout stocking in the streams has been discontinued.

Anglers must check in and out at check-in stations as follows:

» Pu‘u Lua Reservoir stations, in the parking area and at the reservoir intake.

» Koke‘e Park headquarters, for streams and the upper ditch systems with access through Camp 10 and Halemanu Roads.

» Trail 2, for the lower ditch systems. Due to road hazards and conditions, vehicle access to the lower ditch systems is prohibited. Access by walk-in only.

For more information or the current list of license agents, call the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources on Oahu at 832-5009 or on Kauai at 274-3344.