Gang,
Wondering if you can help me find a map of some sort showing what water is not US or Canada and what water is Indian Reserve territory?
and is there a Indian License that allows you to fish all Indian Reserve areas?
Thanks in advance!
Duane
Spent a little time looking for a map, http://www.bkejwanong.com/images/huntnfishMap.jpg, showing Walpole and Walpole waters. This shows the reservation rather well, but does not show the water areas that they claim you need a license for. Whenever I go over to St. Clair I usually buy a Walpole license. You can get them from Lake Side Tackle http://www.lakesidefishingshop.com/
Thanks Dan...
I called Lakeside and they have the Walpole Island Liscense' however...I'm still at a loss here as from what I can tell there are 6 Indian Reserve islands.
Walpole Island
Seaway Island
Basset Island
Squirrel Island
Pottowatamie Island
St. Anne Island
Does the Walpole cover all of these?
I have heard rumors of guys losing their boats from being in those water and I can"t afford to chance that.... :o
Thanks Duane
According to what I know those are all a part of the Walpole license. However here is another site that you may get your answers from. http://www.bkejwanong.com/huntnfish.html
Thanks again Dan...
Here's a text version of what you can expect the First Nation Territory (Walpole license) to be:
The border for the FN Territory stretches from the middle of the St. Clair River starting at the southern half of the Chenal Ecarte. If you trace the Canadian/U.S. border down the St. Clair River from there and through the South Channel, it doubles as the First Nation Border.
I am told by the Reservation Conservation folks there that the Firecracker is not considered to be in Walpole territory. The Walpole border turns just before that at the end of Seaway Island and "generally" follows the stake line (The Stakes) all the way to Mitchell's Bay and then turns again and follows back up the Chenal Ecarte from the Lake St. Clair side of the channel.
Half of the Chenal Ecarte is considered Walpole and the Canada facing half is considered Canada. One common misunderstanding is that the Walpole territory starts wherever the stakes (signs) are. This can be true in the Lake but the actual border in the river is out in the middle of the channel. As soon as you cross into Canada in this zone, you are in Walpole.
I know this is lengthy, but it is fairly complete and should be easy to follow along with a map.
Good to know...
So it sounds like it's safe to say that if you have your Walpole License, Canadian License and your Michigan License then you can fish pretty much anywhere on St. Clair (Unless posted otherwise)?
Thank a bunch Wayne!
I found a map at http://www.marinecruiser.com/chart.html (http://www.marinecruiser.com/chart.html) that's not to bad. It's all of St Clair but shows the reservation
.
Wayne glad your posting, just the little time you've been on board you help me. Your knowledge of St Clair is invaluable.
REEL_MAN
Hey Dave I have seen this map before, but now I have book marked it. Thanks. Are there more of these maps? I would be interested to know if there is one of Erie. Have your ears been ringing? I've been talking about you in my daily blog ( http://teardropbass.com/ ) and included your name and contact info. in the article write up for our last tournament on Crystal. You said it would be okay, and I hope it still is. I also put your baitcaster reel set up tips on as well. Thanks again for your expertise. Between you and Wayne and the rest of the guys on this site I feel like I'm back in school.
Yeah, then there's the "unless posted otherwise" stuff...
One thing that comes to mind is the fall hunting season period on Walpole. The shipping channel remains open to fishing but at the head of the Bassett is a major hunt club that we are told to steer clear of.
You will also see postings at the end of the Chenal Ecarte. I am told by Reservation Conservation that through most of the season, the signs don't really apply. They are more concerned about the period where the hunters come in and use that space. I wouldn't want to have to argue about this one at the launch though to fend off a protest.
Thanks for the encouragement...this fry intends to keep swimming and feeding until he get's big and strong on www.greatlakesbass.com!