What special fishing regulations apply at Penguin Bank?

Penguin Bank carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7). One of them reads: "Broad shallow bank northwest of Molokaʻi between Oʻahu and the main chain; major Deep 7 bottomfish (onaga + opakapaka + ehu + kalekale + gindai + hāpuʻupuʻu + lehi) + offshore yellowfin tuna + skipjack tier; DAR Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Area (BRFA) rotational closures + annual quota apply." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Penguin Bank?

Yes. Penguin Bank 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 Penguin Bank; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.

Do Penguin Bank's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Penguin Bank 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 Penguin Bank?

Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) have a water-body-specific rule on Penguin Bank, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

2026 regulation year

Penguin Bank 2026 — Hawaii Fishing Regulations

Hawaii statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Penguin Bank carries 5 special-regulation overlays on top of Hawaii's 2026 fishing rules — covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Broad shallow bank northwest of Molokaʻi between Oʻahu and the main chain; major Deep 7 bottomfish (onaga + opakapaka + ehu + kalekale + gindai + hāpuʻupuʻu + lehi) + offshore yellowfin tuna + skipjack tier; DAR Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Area (BRFA) rotational closures + annual quota apply
Source: Hawaii special-water list

Per-species rules on Penguin Bank

Yellowfin tuna (ahi) regulations →
No state limit; offshore yellowfin + skipjack + Deep 7 bottomfish tier; BRFA rotational closures may apply to bottomfish but not pelagic ahi
Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) regulations →
No state limit; offshore billfish + ahi trolling tier
Mahimahi (dolphinfish) regulations →
No state limit; weedline + FAD mahimahi alongside the offshore ahi + skipjack tier
ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) regulations →
Premier Deep 7 ground (ʻōpakapaka + onaga + ehu + hāpuʻupuʻu); BRFA closed zones + the 493,000-lb federal ACL apply; 5 / day non-commercial combined

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 Penguin Bank?: Penguin Bank carries 5 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7). One of them reads: "Broad shallow bank northwest of Molokaʻi between Oʻahu and the main chain; major Deep 7 bottomfish (onaga + opakapaka + ehu + kalekale + gindai + hāpuʻupuʻu + lehi) + offshore yellowfin tuna + skipjack tier; DAR Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Area (BRFA) rotational closures + annual quota apply." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Penguin Bank?: Yes. Penguin Bank 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 Penguin Bank; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.
Do Penguin Bank's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Penguin Bank 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 Penguin Bank?: Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) have a water-body-specific rule on Penguin Bank, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

← Back to Hawaii regulations overview