DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

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PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

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For Immediate Release: May 3, 2007

Applications For Nu'uanu Reservoir Catfishing
Accepted Through May 18

HONOLULU — Applications for the summer catfish season at Nu‘uanu Reservoir that begins Saturday June 2 must be submitted by May 18, 2007. Fishers who want to catch the stocked catfish must obtain a valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license and an entry fishing card.

Prospective anglers may pick up applications for entry fishing cards at DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources at 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, and from various licensing agents on O‘ahu. Blank applications will not be mailed.
“Fishing for freshwater catfish will again open in June, after the more mature catfish should finish spawning and protecting their egg nests in May," said DLNR chairperson Peter Young. "Catfish do not feed when spawning, so they'll be hungry and jumping on the hooks when June comes around.”

The deadline for submitting applications to DLNR is 4 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2007. A drawing will then be held to assign each cardholder a fishing date and time.

Processed entry cards sent back to applicants will indicate the date and time that fishers may enter the reservoir. Entry will be strictly limited to those who have appropriate entry cards. Anglers must participate during the period they are assigned to fish. There will be no make-up periods or refunds. Fishing will continue on consecutive weekends, Saturdays and Sundays only, until all anglers with assigned fishing times have been accommodated.

All cardholders will also be required to show a valid freshwater game fishing license while fishing. Those 8-years-old or younger are not required to be licensed, but must be accompanied by a licensed, supervising adult. All cardholders 15-years-old or younger must be accompanied by a supervising adult. Freshwater game fishing licenses may be purchased at licensing agents (call 587-0100 for current locations) as follows:

All minors (9 through 15 years of age, inclusive) $ 3
Resident (includes armed forces) $ 5
Non-resident $25
7-day tourist (adults) $10
30-day tourist (adults) $20
Senior citizen (65 years of age or older) no charge

The bag limit is two catfish per licensed angler. Any channel catfish 16 inches long or larger must be kept by the angler and be counted toward the bag limit. Catfish caught by unlicensed anglers 8-years-old or younger will be included in the bag limit for the licensed, supervising adult. However, cardholders 8-years-old or younger may purchase a license to obtain their own bag limit.

Each fishing day will be divided into four-hour fishing periods: a morning session from 7 to 11 a.m., and an afternoon session from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Warm clothing and rain gear are strongly recommended while fishing at Nu‘uanu reservoir. For further information, call DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources on Oahu at 587-0100.

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For more information, media may contact:
Dennis Shinno, Anuenue Fisheries Research Center
Phone: (808) 832-5009

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320