The Outdoor Line Forum

Tom,
I just watched your halibut video with John Martinis. Were you on Constance bank or somewhere else? In the reading I've done it sounds like anchoring there has some issues. I'm looking for a place to find halibut in Canada without trailering my boat. My boat will be docked in Skyline (Anacortes).

Thanks

Sorry about the late response Duck!

Look at the Canadian border in the Straits and anywhere you find a plateau/structure is a great place to start looking. and don't overlook Constance Bank southwest of Victoria.

Here's the word right from the horses mouth on entering Canadian waters for fishing:


IMPORTANT NEW POLICY FOR FISHING/ENTERING CANADIAN WATERS
All the speculation and confusion has finally been addressed and officially answered, you can read the ENTIRE bulletin http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/media/facts-faits/096-eng.html


The Canadian gov't has made an exception for anglers and private boaters who enter Canadian water (without landing, swimming, tying to another vessel, etc), allowing them to call in via cell phone when entering Canadian water 1-888-226-7277

For the purpose of calling into U.S. Customs Border Protection when retuning to U.S., here is clarification of U.S. Policy from Chief CBP Officer Ronald G. Smith, Public Affairs Liaison

"U.S. boaters who go into Canadian waters with the sole purpose of fishing, there is no requirement to call US CBP upon returning to the U.S. If the boater does any other activity, swimming, ties up to another boat, docks, goes ashore, anything other than just fishing and they check in with CBSA on the Canadian side then they will need to re-enter the U.S. by calling CBP. At that time they will need appropriate documents, Passport, Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License, NEXUS card etc".

Ronald G Smith
Chief, CBP Officer
Public Affairs Liaison
Detroit Field Office

Note: you can purchase a Canadian saltwater license online at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/licence-permis/index-eng.htm#Tidal_Licensing

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking at going next to Middle bank on the Canadian side. There is a Rockfish Conservation Area right there so I'll have to head south about 2 miles . Do you have any experience with this area? I think I'm going during the next set of good tides (about a week). I need a flat fattie.