Maui Fishing Calendar & Seasons: Best Time to Go Fishing
Maui is a fishing paradise that offers an exciting array of fish species to catch throughout the year. Depending on what you’re looking for, some months are better than others. Here you’ll find the Maui fishing calendar and a description of the fishing conditions by season.
Maui Fishing Calendar
Fish | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amberjack | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak |
Blue Line Snapper | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
Gray Snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
Blue Marlin | Good | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Good |
Sailfish | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Striped Marlin | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Spearfish | Fair | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Mahi Mahi | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Wahoo (Ono) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi) | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair |
Bigeye Tuna (Ahi) | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
Skipjack Tuna (Aku) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
Here’s a breakdown of the fishing calendar in Maui.
Amberjack
January through April are the best times for catching this fish, with February and March being peak months. May through November are also good but not as consistent.
Blue Line Snapper
This species can be caught year-round in Maui, but January through December offer peak opportunities.
Gray Snapper
The best time to catch Gray Snapper is from May through November, with June through September being peak months.
Blue Marlin
May through October offers excellent Blue Marlin fishing opportunities in Maui. The best time to catch them is from May and June; August and October also provide fair chances.
Sailfish
Sailfish can be caught year-round in Maui, but June and July offer good opportunities along with other fair months such as March, April, August and November.
Striped Marlin
The best time for Striped Marlin fishing is from January through June when they’re most abundant. Peak season occurs during January thru March followed by another opportunity during summer (June), while fall (September) provides only a few chances.
Spearfish
Peak Spearfish season runs between February and July although it’s possible to catch them all year round.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi can be caught all-year-round in Maui with the exception of December-January when catches may decrease slightly. However, your best bet would still be during late winter/early spring (February-April).
Wahoo (Ono)
Wahoo can be found off the coast of Maui all-year-long but it’s recommended that you go after them between May-October when they’re more active. The peak season runs between June-August while fall provides only fair chances at landing one.
Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi)
The best time to catch Yellowfin Tuna is from May through November with June through September being peak months. Fair chances of catching them also exist in January-April and December.
Bigeye Tuna (Ahi)
This species can be caught year-round in Maui, but January through April and October through December offer the best opportunities. The peak season runs between July-September.
Skipjack Tuna (Aku)
Skipjack tuna are available all-year-round off the coast of Maui. However, your best bet would be to fish for them from May-October when they’re more active with August offering the most consistent catches compared to other fair months such as April and November.
Maui Fishing Seasons
Maui offers something for anglers of all levels during every season. The Maui fishing calendar provides insight into the peak, good, and fair times to catch various fish species throughout the year in Hawaii’s tropical waters.
Summertime is when most species are most active, making it the ideal time for those wanting to reel in their dream catches. From May-October, many types of fish—like Amberjack, Blue Line Snapper, and Bigeye Tuna—are at their best. Meanwhile, Gray Snapper and Wahoo (Ono) have their peak seasons from April-September.
Before planning your next getaway, be sure to check out the table on the Maui fishing calendar and see which species will be having their peak seasons during winter, spring, summer, or fall. That way you can maximize your chances of securing that big catch.
Maui Lobster Season
Did you know there are blue crabs on Maui?
Maui’s lobster season is a great time to experience the thrill of diving and fishing. Every year, from November through December, you can get in on the action! Whether you’re an experienced diver or just starting out, there are plenty of opportunities for you to catch some delicious Hawaiian lobsters.
The Banded spiny lobster (Panulirus marginatus), Ula, and Ula papapa (slipper lobster) all make their home in Maui waters. You won’t need a license, but it’s important to be aware of local restrictions before heading out.
Lobsters are banned for several months of the year
The end of lobster and Kona crab season is April. On May 1st, these crustaceans will be off limits until late August, so if you’re looking for a seafood feast this summer, it might be time to stock up now.
But before you hit the seas, there are some important regulations to keep in mind. To fish commercially you’ll need a license, but regardless of your purpose, female lobsters and crabs must be returned to their watery homes. You can find more information on size requirements in the Fishing Regulations booklet or website, or by consulting with the Division of Aquatic Resources.
And don’t forget – it’s illegal to keep any female lobster or crab year-round. Want an easy way to tell the difference between genders? Check out our website for sex identification tips! But if you catch something that looks suspicious, contact the Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement right away.
For a successful dive, you’ll need to descend to 20+ feet depth and hold your breath for at least one minute. With these tips in mind and some luck, you could be enjoying a succulent seafood dinner with friends and family in no time.
When is the best time to go fishing in Maui?
Overall, the best time or season to go fishing in Maui is during the months of May to October. During these months, most of the fish species listed in the table are in their peak season, with some being good or fair.
However, it is important to note that different fish species have different peak seasons, so it would be best to check for specific species before planning a fishing trip.
Read more about fishing in Maui and Hawaii:
Oahu Fishing Season: What is the Best Time to Fish?
Best Oahu Fishing Charters for Sport Fishing and Deep Sea Fishing 2023
Kauai Fishing Charters: The Best Hidden Gems and Adventures in Hawaii
Best Maui Fishing Charters: Deep Sea and Sport Fishing Hawaii
The Best Hawaii Fishing Charters
Shorefishing in Hawaii: Where to find the best fishing spots
Fly Fishing in Hawaii on Big Island: A Comprehensive Guide
10 Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters On Big Island Of Hawaii & Kona
Best Deep Sea Fishing Charters in Honolulu Sport Fishing 2023