HONOLULU—Applications for the entry fishing cards for channel catfish fishing in Nu‘uanu Reservoir No. 4 will be available starting Monday, April 28, 2008.

On Saturday, May 31, 2008, DLNR will re-open the reservoir for weekend catfish fishing. Fishers who want to fish for the stocked catfish can do so by obtaining a valid State of Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing license and an entry fishing card.

“After a four-month break since the end of January, anglers will again be able to fish for channel catfish during the summer opening,” said DLNR chairperson Laura Thielen.

Last year about 7,100 anglers caught over 3,700 catfish.

Prospective anglers may pick up applications and instructions 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.

Applications will be available April 28 to May 16. Blank applications will not be mailed out. The deadline for submitting applications to DLNR is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2008. For mailing, enclose the application card(s) in an envelope addressed to Anuenue Fisheries Research Center, 1039 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, HI 96819.

To minimize overcrowding at the reservoir, a drawing will 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 start on Saturday, May 31 and 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 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) $3.00
Resident (includes armed forces) $5.00
Non-resident $25.00
7-day tourist (adults) $10.00
30-day tourist (adults) $20.00
Senior citizen (65 years of age or older) no charge

Hawai‘i freshwater game fishing licenses are also available online from the Division of Aquatic Resources web site at https://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/licenses.htm. Follow the instructions and complete the registration process. Your license will be issued once you successfully complete this process.

The bag limit is two channel 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. Channel catfish caught by unlicensed anglers 8 years old or younger will be included in the bag limit for the licensed, supervising adult. However, cardholders 8years 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.

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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