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Best tilapia lakes in Hawaii

16 Hawaii waters hold tilapia. Ranked below by size and depth-data quality — open any water to see exactly where to fish it: depth contours, scored spots with plain-English reasons, seasonal windows and bait picks. Abundant warm-water cichlid. Shallow flats and weed edges; spawning colonies pock the shallows in warm weather.

1. Lake Wilson (Wahiawā Reservoir) — 88 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, Smallmouth BassWhy #1: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
2. Kapaia Reservoir — 35 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #2: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
3. Alexander Reservoir — 35 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #3: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
4. Wailua Reservoir — 40 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, Smallmouth BassWhy #4: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
5. Halenanahu Reservoir — 30 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #5: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
6. Aepoeha Reservoir — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #6: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
7. Puu Ka Ele Reservoir — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #7: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
8. Waiale Reservoir — 30 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #8: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
9. Kalihiwai Reservoir — 30 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #9: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
10. Mauka Reservoir — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #10: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
11. Crater Reservoir — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Tilapia, BluegillWhy #11: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
12. Ipuolono Reservoir — 22 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Tilapia, BluegillWhy #12: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
13. Waiakalua Reservoir — 25 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #13: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
14. Waita Reservoir — 50 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #14: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
15. Upper Helemano Reservoir — 30 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #15: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached
16. Aepo Reservoir — 20 ft max · Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass (Tucunaré), Tilapia, BluegillWhy #16: mapped size signal; contours are approximated · no verified access record attached

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When to fish tilapia in Hawaii

• Spring 1–6 ft — Nest colonies crater shallow flats and coves — sight-fish the bed clusters.
• Summer 2–10 ft — Shallow weed flats and shoreline; sight-fish cruising schools with small baits.
• Fall 3–12 ft — Fish tighten on remaining green weed and flats near the first drops.
• Winter 5–18 ft — Cooler water pushes fish to the warmest deeper water; slow presentations, midday only.

Also in Hawaii: best largemouth bass lakes · best peacock bass (tucunaré) lakes · best bluegill lakes · best channel catfish lakes

Tilapia elsewhere: Arizona · Puerto Rico