Canadian Licenses for Halibut

[Rob]

A buddy of mine and I are toying with giving Halibut a try this summer in Canadian waters. 

From the research I have done it looks like you need to buy that license in person, in Canada.

Has anyone done this before?  What is the easiest way to do that?  We are fishing out of Neah Bay.  Is it best to run up to the border crossing in Blaine, or do people just cross the straight out of Neah over to Port Renfrew or some similar city on Vancouver Island?

[Stein]

I think most people make the run in their boat since you have to go halfway anyway to fish.


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[dewandgin]

We have always drove over at Blaine. There is a little store there that sells fishing license.

[Stalker]

Myself and other friends of mine here on Whidbey Island launch out of Cornet bay and run over to middle bank / constance bank area.  Go to U.S. Customs office and get your I-68 form done which allows you to check in with U.S and Canadian officials without going ashore.  You will need your passport or enhanced drivers licenses, boat registration (you may want to call them to confirm required documents).  Each person on the boat will need I-68 otherwise you will be directed to go to a point of entry to have documents etc... verified.  After that we just buy a one day or so license on line and print it out with a catch card.  Easier than going across the border just to buy a license unless you plan on buying an annual licenses.

Hope this helps.

[KillerBeee]

Just over the border is the Campbell river store. It's a good place to get your licenses.

[Knocker of rocks]

https://recfish-pechesportive.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/nrls-sndpp/index-eng.cfm

[hughjorgan]

I bought it online a couple years ago, no issues..

[Rob]

Good info everyone.

I understand that for Halibut you cannot use an internet purchased license for some areas.  When I created an account on the Canadian fisheries site, this warning came up:

The following condition applies to non-resident licences
No person who is not a Canadian resident may fish for or retain halibut under an electronic licence in Management Areas 23, 121, 123 as described on the Canada Gazette site at: http://publications.gc.ca/gazette/archives/p2/2007/2007-05-02/pdf/g2-14109.pdf
Area 23 is described as
Comprising those waters inside a line that begins at   48°55.268'N 125°32.470'W [Amphritrite Point Light]
then following the shoreline of Barkley Sound, Alberni Inlet and adjoining waters to   48°47.188'N 125°12.719'W [Cape Beale]
then true west to   48°47.188'N 125°12.932'W [Cape Beale Light]
then following the surfline to the beginning point.   
Area 121 is described as
Those waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island inside a line that begins at   48°43.327'N 125°05.855'W [Pachena Point Light]
then to   48°40.709'N 124°58.000'W [in water]
then to   48°35.732'N 124°43.063'W [Bonilla Point Fisheries Light]
then to   48°29.618'N 124°43.553'W [Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter]
then following the Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter to   48°14.850'N 125°41.900'W [Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter]
then to   48°21.000'N 125°33.768'W [in water]
then to   48°34.000'N 125°17.386'W [in water]
then to   48°37.407'N 125°13.000'W [in water]
then to the beginning point.   
Area 123 is described as
Those waters off the west coast of Vancouver Island inside a line that begins at   48°59.659'N 125°37.667'W [surfline]
then following the surfline to   48°43.327'N 125°05.855'W [Pachena Point Light]
then to   48°37.407'N 125°13.000'W [in water]
then to   48°34.000'N 125°17.386'W [in water]
then to   48°21.000'N 125°33.768'W [in water]
then to   48°14.850'N 125°41.900'W [Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter]
then following the Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter to   48°27.433'N 127°30.767'W [Fishing Zone No. 5 outer perimeter]
then to   48°36.000'N 126°07.422'W [in water]
then to   48°45.000'N 125°56.139'W [in water]
then to   48°58.831'N 125°38.702'W [Florencia Islet]
then to the beginning point.   
If you wish to fish for halibut in the above described Area, you can purchase a licence from an independent access provider in Canada.

[Mfowl]

In order to fish the Canadian zones out of Neah Bay you need a hard copy OTC license bought in Canada. You can fish the central and eastern Strait with an online license and the customs form mentioned. As previously mentioned cross the border and buy at the Campbell River Store then pop over to White Rock for lunch. Its a neat little town.

[Rob]

Thanks, that is how I read it as well.

Has anyone ever launched at Neah Bay and gone across the Straight to pick one up somewhere on Vancouver Island?

We can do the drive through Blaine,  but that would mean driving from Seattle to Blaine, back to Gig-Harbor to pick up a boat and then over to Neah Bay.  Doable but quite a bit of driving!

[JimmyHoffa]

If I remember correctly, they had them in Victoria.  Could take the ferry across and back as a walk on.  If it is your birthday, it was something like half off, so only had to pay one way or the other.  Then you're back at Port Angeles and only a couple hours drive from CQ/NB.

[Rob]

I considered that - pretty easy on the blackball ferry.  I have done that in the past to meet a friend.