Panfish Fishing in Hawaii - Bluegills & Tilapia

One or more species of panfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Hawaii and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Finding big sunfish like bluegill and tilapia is a chore. They are primary food sources for bass and peacock bass which tends to shorten their lifespan. Most of the small lakes and ponds thoughout the islands carry panfish of one kind or another. The state record bluegill was caught a Lake Wilson.

Panfish are prolific spawners and repopulate the waters as fast as they are harvested. A common problem with panfish fishing is that the waters are under-fished causing panfish to overpopulate. As a result they tend to stay small in size due to lack of food source.

The list of panfish is comprised of many fishes each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common.

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus

Other local jargon names for the bluegill include common yellow perch, sunfish, red-breasted bream, red-spotted sunfish, long-eared sunfish, white bass as well as a host of variations and cross breeds. These fish tend to run in schools and congregate near their food supply. Panfish can be found in depths of 35 feet or more but are more commonly found in one to ten feet depths depending on time of day and weather conditions.

Check for Hawaii bluegill fishing articles in the articles section.

Tilapia
Oreochromis aurea
World Record: 4.4 lbs
Most tilapias are omnivorous with a preference for soft aquatic vegetation. They are typically found in warmer waters in the southern states, both east and west. Prefers water temperatures from 70 degrees and above, and has difficulty surviving water temperatures below 50 degrees. Tilapia are of similar size and shape to crappie. Fish for them like you might for bluegills using worms, crickets and dough balls on a size 12 hook.

For general information on local fishing visit the Hawaii Fishing home page.

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HI Sunfish Fishing - All About Fishing for Bluegill & Other Panfish in Hawaii.

4 lbs - 12 oz

0 lbs - 8 oz

60 - 85 Degrees

Prefers slightly stained to murky water with little or no current. Survives in most warm bodies of water.