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Fishing Kalihiwai Reservoir: what the data says
23-acre reservoir near Kīlauea. The lake tops out around 30 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Largemouth Bass fishing at Kalihiwai Reservoir
In spring, largemouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinnerbait, Chatterbait |
| Summer | 8 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Texas-rigged 10" worm, Deep-diving crankbait |
| Fall | 4 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | Squarebill crankbait (shad), Spinnerbait |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday | Blade bait, Jigging spoon |
Peacock Bass (Tucunaré) fishing at Kalihiwai Reservoir
Start shallow in spring: peacock bass (tucunaré) sit in 2 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 3 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 22 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 8 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around midday and early morning in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | midday & dawn | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 15 ft | midday & dawn | see map |
| Winter | 6 to 22 ft | midday | see map |
Channel Catfish fishing at Kalihiwai Reservoir
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 26 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 10 to 30 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 9 to 30 ft | midday |
Bluegill fishing at Kalihiwai Reservoir
In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 26 ft, rated prime for winter bluegill. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | 1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings) |
| Summer | 4 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig |
| Fall | 6 to 18 ft | midday | Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped |
| Winter | 10 to 25 ft | midday | Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon |
Tilapia fishing at Kalihiwai Reservoir
In spring, tilapia run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 18 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 14 ft, rated prime for winter tilapia. Best bite is midday and early morning.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft | midday | see map |
| Winter | 5 to 18 ft | midday | see map |
Notable structure
- Deep basin: deep basin, around 26 ft
- Break off the point: drop-off, around 14 ft
- Main-lake point: point, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Kalihiwai Reservoir?
Kalihiwai Reservoir is about 30 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Kalihiwai Reservoir?
Anglers target largemouth bass, peacock bass (tucunaré), tilapia, bluegill, channel catfish on Kalihiwai Reservoir.
Where is the best fishing spot on Kalihiwai Reservoir?
Main-lake point is the top-rated area: a point in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for largemouth bass in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Kalihiwai Reservoir?
For largemouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Puu Ka Ele Reservoir · Waiakalua Reservoir · Wailua Reservoir · Kapaia Reservoir · Halenanahu Reservoir · Alexander Reservoir
See how Kalihiwai Reservoir stacks up: best largemouth bass lakes in Hawaii · best peacock bass (tucunaré) lakes in Hawaii · best tilapia lakes in Hawaii · best bluegill lakes in Hawaii
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