Walpole Island Pleasure Craft License adds $100 to fishing their water

[MichAngler]

Walpole Island First Nation started a new program last year requiring boaters to purchase a (PCL) “Pleasure Craft License” for $100 because of boaters that are anchoring in their waters and leaving trash and destroying the ecosystem

They tried to avoid anglers from needing this stating if you purchase a fishing License you don’t need to purchase the PCL
Well pleasure boaters figured it out and started buying the cheaper fishing license

So this year the First Nation is requiring “ALL BOATERS” to purchase the PCL for their boat


I sent an email to the First Nation asking for confirmation on this and this is the response I received

Goodmorning Roy, I'm officer Nahdee with Walpole Island Resource Protection, all vessels whether fishing or leisure are required to have the PCL.
It was introduced last year for pleasure craft only with an option to purchase either the fishing or PCL. Pleasure boaters we're purchasing the fishing licenses and just going and anchoring in the bays and inlets and destroying spawning areas and leaving trash, which is why the red restricted zones are on the map.
Absolutely no leisure activity in these zones however they will be open to fishing only july2

He also included a new map for this

walpole-PCL_map.jpg

[MichAngler]

UPDATE

Officer Nahdee forgot to inform me the the cost for the PCL this year has doubled to $200

SCREW THAT

won't see me in there anymore

[castforcash]

Wow, very disappointing to say the least. It is getting to the point I don't even want to fish LSC anymore. Our family has been fishing and swimming over there for years to get away from the crowds and traffic on our side.

[SAL321]

How is this area defined. Is it currently marked on mapping software with these changes. There are areas we like to fish and it's hard to determine how far that extends out. Yeah $200 just to troll through there is insane. I never opted for the Walpole Island license to fish the inlets in and around the island anyways.

I get it in theory but they should only control the natural waterline not extend out into the lake. Different country , different rules that we have to play by. Funny thing is we never see pleasure boaters in those areas, few and far between and we are usually 500 yards offshore...easy. It appears the worst that can happen is they escort you out of the area.

[castforcash]

Not sure how many years you've got on the lake but, there used to be stakes that outlined the Walpole boundaries. Most of them have been missing for quite some time. I haven't seen a Walpole patrol boat in quite a few years. The Bassett has been closed to jet skis for quite a few years. The fact that you rarely see pleasure boats over there is the reason I've always fished there once the traffic gets crazy on our side. This is really depressing news!

[MichAngler]

If anyone has the contact info or knows the Tournament Director for the BFL Michigan Division please let them know or send me their info

Thanks

Never mind I found it!

[SAL321]

Not sure how many years you've got on the lake but, there used to be stakes that outlined the Walpole boundaries. Most of them have been missing for quite some time. I haven't seen a Walpole patrol boat in quite a few years. The Bassett has been closed to jet skis for quite a few years. The fact that you rarely see pleasure boats over there is the reason I've always fished there once the traffic gets crazy on our side. This is really depressing news!

I am familiar with the Stakes and for the most part those are marked accordingly. It just the picture noted appears to have extended the area. I'm going with if it isn't marked and it wasn't last year then I'm going to fish it without the permit and they can tell me to leave. I think if your cordial when/if approached you'll get a better explanation.

There is an area we like that we started fishing 4-5 years ago now ( when we got our bass boat) and it seems we would have been approached asked before these changes. Suck for the guys who liked to fish the canals and get back in and around the island.

[castforcash]

I haven't personally confirmed any rumors, but last I heard the rumor was that walpole didn't have funds to patrol. I heard that a few years ago and like I said haven't seen a Walpole patrol boat in quite some time. Years back there were stories of the tribal police harassing fisherman even though they were properly licensed. This was quite a few years back and was probably embellished. You are required to have a Walpole permit around the island while fishing out in the lake and in the South Channel. It isn't just for fishing inside the island. I'm not paying an extra $200, will have to wait and see what happens once I make it over that way.

[MichAngler]

I finally got confirmation on the following

1 Yes a PCL and fishing license is required
2 No you do not need a PCL to navigate the shipping channel between the river and lake
3 The Stake Line is being placed right now to help mark the southern edge of the reservation

[SAL321]

I finally got confirmation on the following

1 Yes a PCL and fishing license is required
2 No you do not need a PCL to navigate the shipping channel between the river and lake
3 The Stake Line is being placed right now to help mark the southern edge of the reservation

Thanks for the effort put in on this. If its marked, there are no excuses. Seems like the actions of a few screwed it up for the masses. Too deep for my pockets. Canadian waters have plenty of healthy SMB no need to fork over that kind of scratch.