RESOURCES

Your Resources

Boat safety is something you plan for before heading out on the water. There is no worse feeling than running into problems and not being prepared to deal with them. Use the information below to learn about boating laws, get your equipment in order, and prepared for the unexpected. The most basic elements of boat safety are free or relatively inexpensive. Here are some basic safety items but there are lots more details, videos, and articles available throughout our website.

Basic Boat Safety:
  1. Life Jackets - wear a good quality life jacket at ALL times on the water. A Coast Guard officer told me one time.... "we don't pick up too many drowning victims that are wearing a life jacket".
  2. Vessel Safety Check - get one ASAP. They are free from the Coast Guard Auxillary and can help identify missing or outdated safety equipment. Safety checks are conducted at scheduled times and we often arrange for the Coast Guard to stop by our Walleye 101 Trophy Hunts.
  3. Float Plan - file one with your family or firiends every time you hit the water. If you don't get back at your expected time people know where to start looking for you. Might save some precious time.
  4. DCS Marine Radio - get one and get it registered. DCS radios send a signal to the Coast Guard with the push of a button. Cell phones can be unreliable on the water.
Useful Links:
  1. Boat US Towing
  2. File A Float Plan
  3. Ohio Boating Classes
  4. Michigan Boating Classes
  5. Canadian Coastal Services
  6. Maritime Mobile Service Identity
  7. 406MHz Emergency Distress Beacons

Fishing licenses and regulations for Michigan, Ohio, New York and other states are easy to get online. Most states let you start fishing immediately. You may need your driver license number, credit card, and social security number depending on the state or province. Did you know that non-resident kids under 16 can keep their own limit of fish in Ohio without purchasing a license?

 

Fishing Regulations and License Websites

DNR fishing regulation website links by state. Printable PDF guides and downloadable information are available from most states.

  1. Michigan Fishing Guide
  2. Indiana Fishing Guide
  3. New York Fishing Guide
  4. Ohio Fishing Guide
  5. Pennsylvania Fishing Guide
  6. Wisconsin Fishing Guide
  7. Minnesota Fishing Guide
  8. Illinois Fishing Guide
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Ontario Fishing License Options

You are required to have an Ontario fishing license if you plan to fish Canadian waters of the Detroit River, Lake Erie, or Lake St. Clair. Here are the purchase options available to get your license.

Ontario Fishing License Online - Non-residents are now allowed to purchase their fishing license online. Learn about purchasing your non-resident license online from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

Canadian Outdoors Card - An Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized identification card issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that allows you to hunt or fish. You are required to carry this card with you at all times while hunting or fishing.

 

Fish Tracking Sheets

Keep accurate records of every fish you catch - see patterns and repeat a successful program. We have two log sheets that will help you.