Hole in the wall,livingston channel

[BIGSHOW]

Anyone familiar with  this area? I'm wondering exactly where the canadian border is here, My GPS says the actual "hole in the wall". I was wondering if that was correct or can you fish in the livingston channel? Thanks.

[Skulley]

The points on the east side of the channel are in Canadian waters.  The border then runs north and cuts across the big rock to the east and into hidden lake.  I have been checked by the O.P.P. (Ontario Provincial Police) for my license and as of just last Sunday, I got checked there for my control number for me reporting in to Canadian Border Service Agency aka Canadian Customs.  I did call in and they were very polite and thanked me for following the new old rules.  All I can say is you better call in and you better have your Canadian/Ontario Fishing License.  They told me the ticket will be stiff and they actually can haul you into customs on their side of the border.  I wouldn't mess with it if I were you.  They were very impressed by the fact that I was as prepared for them as I was.  They went through the whole safety check for my boat and everything.  They have been given orders to check every MC numbered boat or any other boat that doesn't have Canadian markings or boat registration number.  I am glad I called and I am glad I got all proper credentials.  They also wanted to see my passport at which point I showed them my enhanced Michigan Driver's License which for crossing into Canada and back to the United States is acceptable.  It allows one to cross into Canada and back to the U.S. by land and sea.  If you fly into Canada from the States you need to have a passport.  Good luck and make sure when you go there you have followed all the proper protocol.  They patrolled all the way into Crystal Bay as well as Hidden Lake.  They even stopped some kayaks that were in the area.  They aren't messing around.  They also must be in touch with the U.S. Border Patrol because for the first time when I arrived back at Erie Metro, the Border Patrol approached me and asked me if I had anything to claim as well as how long I was in Canada and why I was there.  It sure is getting interesting fishing border waters.   Didn't have any issues up in the St. Clair River this year or the south shore of St. Clair.  Just down in the lower Detroit River.  I have talked to several other angler friends of mine and they have experienced some of the same thing.  All I can say again and I hate to beat a dead horse but make sure you have all the proper credentials and by all means follow the proper protocol.  They will be out there this weekend during the BFL.  You can count on it.


BD                               

[BIGSHOW]

I only hit that point on the west side (current break) but wasn't sure how far over I could go. Seems I was ok. As far as hidden lake where is that? Thats not the spot west of the channel where the border cuts through on the east of the US side is it? As far as the BFL. When does that start? And end? They always clutter up my launch,lol. I think i'm gonna work and make some money to buy some more fishing stuff. And last and not least the enhanced licence. I have a passport how can I get a enhanced license/how much? Thanks Big Dog. We have to go out there some time . Although i'm waiting till next year to get my Canadian license. I wanted to get better here first. I'm ready for it now...

[BIGSHOW]

Also next years goal is to hit some tournaments.

[Skulley]

Hidden lake is on the eastside of the channel behind the rocks. Two thirds of it is in Canadian water while the other one third to the north is American water. The BFL is this weekend I think on Saturday out of Elizabeth Park. Enhanced license is available through the Secretary of State office and is $75. I get my Ontario license every year. Great fishing in Canada on St. Clair and Erie. I usually abandon LSC in the fall for Erie. Fall fishing on Erie can be phenomenal.


BD.                       

[BIGSHOW]

You mention the fall fishing being phenomenal in erie. Is that the US side of erie? How far out do I have to go? I dont mind riding a ways just helps to know a visinity.

[Skulley]

On both the U.S. and Canadian side there are shoals, humps, weed beds, grass beds, rock piles, etc., from Erie Metro to Bar Point. As the lake cools, smallies come in on these areas to feed up for the winter. This migration is just starting to happen. Up in the Detroit River as the water cools, the bass will move up on shallow bars, shoals, rock piles, etc., and feed up for the winter. The fish will be on the move and they will be hungary. They will start chasing and they will be chasing moving lures. Most all of these places will have one thing in common and that will be schools and schools of bait. Most of the places I caught fish at on Sunday had active bait on them. Find these schools and you'll find the bass.  I'll be headed out there this Saturday and seeing how things are progressing. The next couple of days of warm weather will slow the process down.


BD.                      

[Team houston]

Bigshow, if you already have a passport you do not need a enhanced drivers license. It does the same thing and more.

[BIGSHOW]

I was thinking having it would be more conveniant than carrying the passport. But for 70 bucks I will carry the passport. Thats about what I spent today on poor boy bait site