Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson)
Wahiawa Reservoir sits in central Oahu next to the town of Wahiawa. It is the main public freshwater fishing spot in Hawaii and is known for peacock bass and largemouth bass.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Peacock Bass
Work lily pad edges and open pockets in the weeds with small bright lures or flies.
Largemouth Bass
Cast soft plastics and spinnerbaits near drop-offs and submerged cover.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Channel Catfish
Fish cut bait or worms on the bottom.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
When they bite
Month-by-month activity for each target species.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peacock Bass | ||||||||||||
| Largemouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Smallmouth Bass | ||||||||||||
| Channel Catfish |
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Wahiawa Freshwater Park Launch RampPublicState DOBOR ramp at Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area; lake access and ramp closed since May 3, 2026 for Wahiawa Dam workDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Hawaii DLNR or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass Wahiawa PFA | Catch & release only | 0 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass Wahiawa PFA | Catch & release only | 0 / day |
| Peacock Bass Wahiawa PFA | Catch & release only | 0 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Hawaii DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Sawada StoreNearby132 N Cane St, Wahiawa, HI(808) 622-4861Directions ↗
- Haleiwa Fishing SupplyNearby66-519 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI(808) 637-9876Directions ↗
Local tips
- All bass and peacock bass are catch and release only here, so release them right away.
- Fish April through October; winter rain muddies the water and slows the bite.
- Boats are limited to 18 feet and 5 mph, and you need a freshwater game fishing license plus an entry permit.
Angler reports
Water temp, what's biting, and anything else other anglers should know about Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson).
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.