Guide To Popular Panfish Fishing Options In Hawaii

All about fishing for sunfish in HI lakes and ponds.

Throughout the state of Hawaii you can find waters with populations of sunfish, including bluegill and tilapia.

One or more species of sunfish 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, insects, crustaceans and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves, for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Panfish Lakes

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 life span. Most of the small lakes and ponds throughout the islands carry panfish of one kind or another.

Top Producing Panfish Lures & Bait

Check out the top producing lures and bait for bluegill, redear sunfish, rock bass and warmouth, as well as other smaller sunfish.

The Hawaii 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 term "panfish" comprises many species, each called by a variety of names. The bluegill tops the list and is the most common.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Bluegill Fishing Basics Video

The core principles shown in this video will work for most sunfish, perch and other panfish.

Sunfish information in other states.