• Marine recreational fishing in Hawaii requires no license.fish image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) issues fishing licenses and permits. The type of permit you need to obtain to legally fish depends on where you want to fish and what type of aquatic creatures you want to fish for. There are special rules for state waters around Molokai Island.
  
  

Commercial/Bait/Freshwater

• Marine recreational fishing in Hawaii requires no license. If you want to sell the fish you catch, either within the state or outside of the state, you must acquire a commercial marine license. Both residents and non-residents are eligible for this license.
  
  If you have already obtained your commercial marine license and want to use a small mesh net to collect live bait, you need a bait license.
  
  A freshwater game fishing license is needed for recreational fishing in fresh water. Residents, non-residents, minors, seven-day tourists, 30-day tourists and senior citizens can apply for this license.
  
  Fees will vary for all of the licenses.
  
  

Bottomfish/Nu’uanu/Wahiawa

• You need a bottomfish fishing vessel registration if you own a boat that fishes for the seven species of deep sea bottomfish regulated by Hawaii law. There is no fee for this registration, but identification of the vessel must be provided.
  
  Catfish fishing in Nu’uanu Reservoir No. 4 requires a Nu’uanu entry card. Though there is no fee for the entry card, you do have to already possess a freshwater game fishing license.
  
  You must also have a freshwater game fishing license to obtain the Wahiawa Public Fishing Area permit. This permit is for groups, special entry and tournaments. There is no fee.
  
  

Molokai Island

• There are special rules for fishing in the state waters around Molokai Island. Any lay nets used for fishing purposes must be 750 feet or fewer in length and be no more than 7 feet in height when stretched. When stretched the mesh must be 2 3/4 inches or fewer.
  
  Nets require registration and tags. At least two surface buoys much be visible at each end, nets must not be out for more than 12 hours, 1,320 feet must be between nets, and any unwanted, prohibited or endangered species must be released from the net.