What special fishing regulations apply at ʻAuʻau Channel?

ʻAuʻau Channel carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), and Mahimahi (dolphinfish). One of them reads: "Maui – Lānaʻi inter-island channel; major migratory pelagic corridor; humpback whale calving ground (NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, no whale approach within 100 yd Nov 1 – May 31); yellowfin tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo + blue marlin." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish ʻAuʻau Channel?

Yes. ʻAuʻau Channel is in Hawaii, so a valid Hawaii fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for ʻAuʻau Channel; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.

Do ʻAuʻau Channel's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on ʻAuʻau Channel by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on ʻAuʻau Channel?

Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), and Mahimahi (dolphinfish) have a water-body-specific rule on ʻAuʻau Channel, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

2026 regulation year

ʻAuʻau Channel 2026 — Hawaii Fishing Regulations

Hawaii statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

ʻAuʻau Channel carries 4 special-regulation overlays on top of Hawaii's 2026 fishing rules — covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Maui – Lānaʻi inter-island channel; major migratory pelagic corridor; humpback whale calving ground (NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, no whale approach within 100 yd Nov 1 – May 31); yellowfin tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo + blue marlin
Source: Hawaii special-water list

Per-species rules on ʻAuʻau Channel

Yellowfin tuna (ahi) regulations →
No state limit; major Maui – Lānaʻi inter-island pelagic corridor
Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) regulations →
No state limit; Maui – Lānaʻi inter-island billfish + pelagic corridor
Mahimahi (dolphinfish) regulations →
No state limit; Maui – Lānaʻi pelagic corridor; spring + fall mahimahi runs

Official source

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) publishes the authoritative 2026 Hawaii fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Hawaii fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Hawaii trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Hawaii

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at ʻAuʻau Channel?: ʻAuʻau Channel carries 4 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), and Mahimahi (dolphinfish). One of them reads: "Maui – Lānaʻi inter-island channel; major migratory pelagic corridor; humpback whale calving ground (NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, no whale approach within 100 yd Nov 1 – May 31); yellowfin tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo + blue marlin." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish ʻAuʻau Channel?: Yes. ʻAuʻau Channel is in Hawaii, so a valid Hawaii fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for ʻAuʻau Channel; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.
Do ʻAuʻau Channel's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on ʻAuʻau Channel by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on ʻAuʻau Channel?: Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), and Mahimahi (dolphinfish) have a water-body-specific rule on ʻAuʻau Channel, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

← Back to Hawaii regulations overview