Anyone can fish with a pole on the Hawaiian shore without a salt-water fishing license, so grab your pole and tackle box, pick up some live bait, and head to the best fishing spots in Hawai’i. Regulations apply more to spearfishing, freshwater fishing, and selling anything you catch. However, there are some regulated areas, which you can learn more about on the State of Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources website. While fishing in Hawaii, you might catch Ulua, barracuda, bonefish, Bluefin trevally, snapper, peacock grouper, unicorn fish, and even sharks! Let’s take a look at the best fishing in Hawai’i.

1. South Point, Big Island
South Point Road, Naalehu, HI, USA
jdegenhardt/Flickr
One of the island's most popular fishing spots and the southernmost point in the United States, Ka Lae’s confluence of ocean currents just offshore makes this spot full of red snapper Ulua. It is also heavily secluded, and as a result, is quite littered and may provide a threat to wildlife. South Point is mesmerizing.
2. Kaena Point, Oahu
Ka‘ena Point, Ka‘Ena Point, Mokuleia, HI 96791, USA
patrickmoos/Flickr
With 112 miles of coastline, Oahu has numerous shore fishing opportunities for novice and experienced fishers alike. Secluded Kaena Point, which can only be accessed via a four-wheel-drive vehicle or on foot, is a popular spot for catching ulua and other deep water fish.

Get an aerial view of gorgeous Kaena Point:

3. Anahola Bay & River, Kauai
Anahola Bay, Hawaii, USA
Twelvizm/Flickr
Fishing is plentiful in both Anahola Bay and the Anahola River, which feeds into the bay. Follow the dirt road past the park to the end; a trail will then take you the rest of the way to the point. Your odds will be best in the early morning hours, or late in the evening.
4. Makena Landing, Maui
Makena Landing Park, 5083 Makena Rd, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
Suzanne E/Google
An ideal cove to launch your kayak from, Makena Landing is also popular for fishing, snorkeling, and shore dives. If you plan to fish from your kayak, this is the perfect spot.

See what it’s like to go snorkeling at Makena Landing:

5. Kona Coast, Big Island
Island of Hawai'i, Hawaii, USA
NOAA Photo Library/Flickr
With four distinct Fisheries Management Zone Areas, the southwest coast of Hawaii is an ideal spot to do some fishing. However, please note that fishing in this area is reserved for personal consumption only, and collecting any aquarium fish is prohibited. The Kona Coast is amazingly beautiful, and so are the fish here!
6. Pearl Harbor, Oahu
Pearl Harbor, HI 96701, USA
Neal Schneider/Flickr
Records show that Samoan crabs, as well as ladyfish, greenjack, and colorful goatfish have been found in Pearl Harbor. Consider fishing off the pier as well – the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation suggests fishing on piers because the rocks underneath attract fish.
7. Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai
Nawiliwili Harbor, Lihue, HI 96766, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
It is prohibited to use a net more than three feet wide in this bay, but at just a ten-minute drive from the Lihue airport, it is a popular spot for shoreline fishing – as well as catching a fishing charter to explore the open waters of the Pacific. Nawiliwili Harbor is one of those fishing spots you don't want to pass up.
8. Lahaina Beach, Maui
Lahaina Beach, Lahaina, HI 96761, USA
Matt McGee/Flickr
Though Lahaina Beach isn’t known for a great deal of variety – think triggerfish, parrotfish, and the occasional needlefish – it is still a popular and accessible fishing spot, especially at night.
9. Kahuku Point, Oahu
Kahuku Point, Unnamed Road, Kahuku, HI 96731, USA
Cris Camit/Flickr
Located within a small town on Oahu’s northeastern shore, Kahuku Beach is popular among fishermen (and women). Due to a long limestone shelf and rocky ocean floor that makes entering the water difficult, swimming is not popular here, which in turn, makes it a haven for fish. The town is also known for its shrimp trucks - grabbing lunch in town is a must!

Get a bird’s-eye view of gorgeous Kahuku Point:

10. Honokohau Harbor, Big Island
Honokohau, HI 96793, USA
Pat Groves/Flickr
The Big Island’s Kona Coast is mecca for sport fishing in Hawaii, and nowhere will you find better deep-sea fishing charters than in Honokohau Harbor. It is recommended that you go out on the water for an entire day, to really experience the best the coast has to offer in terms of fishing.
11. Anini Beach, Kauai
Anini Beach, Kalihiwai, HI 96754, USA
Alan Strakey/Flickr
Located on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast, there is perhaps no place more scenic than Anini Beach for swimming, paddling, camping, and fishing. Imagine camping on the beach and casting a line out whenever you would like.
12. Barbers Point Beach Park, Oahu
Barbers Point Beach Park, Olai St, Kapolei, HI 96707, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Poor swimming conditions make this Leeward Oahu small, sandy beach perfect for fishermen who want to enjoy a day on the water without worrying about beachgoers getting in the way. Barber's Point Beach is unforgettable... much like all of Hawaii, really.

We’ll be honest – because Hawaii has so many miles of coastline, there are countless spots for shoreline fishing. What is the biggest fish you’ve caught in Hawaii? Tell us about it in the comments, as well as your favorite locations with the best fishing in Hawaii. If you’re up for some swimming or surfing, check out these amazing beaches in Hawai’i.

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More to Explore

Best Fishing in Hawaii

Tori Jane | July 28, 2022

What are some of the best fishing spots in Hawai'i?  

Some of the best fishing spots in Hawai'i include:

  • Kailua-Kona
  • Kauai
  • Oahu
  • Maui

 

Well, given that the term “best” is subjective, we think you might be best off discovering this one for yourself! We can, however, offer up some excellent ideas; it’s widely thought that the Big Island is the best one when it comes to fishing. Kailua-Kona is an amazing place for anglers, and you’re able to catch a wide variety of colorful (and often delicious) species. Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are excellent for deep-sea fishing, and the fishing is best from June through August – though you can indulge in the sport year-round, of course.  

Where are all the good fishing spots in Hawaii?  

Good fishing spots in Hawaii include:

  • Spencer Beach Park
  • Hanalei Pier

 

There are good fishing spots in Hawaii all over Hawaii, with plenty of chances to catch something that’s as tasty and nutritious as it is beautiful. Among our picks for the best fishing spots in Hawaii are places like Spencer Beach Park, which is located on the Big Island. Cast your line and sink your toes in the warm sand; with plenty of patience, you’re sure to make a great catch or two. Another favorite place to go fishing in Hawaii is off the Hanalei Pier, in Kauai. In the summer months, it’s particularly vibrant; bigeye scads migrate to the region at this time and, as a result, lots of other larger, predatory species also gather to hunt them, resulting in excellent fishing for you.  

What are the best places to fish in Hawaii with little crowds?  

The best places to fish with little crowds include:

  • Walta Reservoir

 

You can totally avoid the crowds and still get your angling game on, even in Hawaii! We have a few hidden gem beaches in Hawaii that are excellent when it comes to fishing, like the Walta Reservoir, on Kauai. You’ll need to have a local guide with you while you fish, but there are very seldom crowds here, making it one of the best places to fish in Hawaii for those who prefer to avoid crowds and popular destinations. Expect to catch tuna, bass, needlefish, marlin, and many more species, as Hawaii’s ocean ecosystems are incredibly diverse.  

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