the email I got says this was news in July. It's the first I have heard of it.

Canada Relaxes Rainy Lake Fishing Regulations for Americans

Millions of citizens in Canada and the United States share a love for fishing, but until recently, the invisible border that runs across Rainy Lake presented a barrier for American anglers. While the US side of Rainy Lake has many great fishing spots, the Canuck portion of the lake is home to a large population of fish as well.
In July 2017, Canada relaxed Rainy Lake fishing regulations for Americans who want to fish on the Ontario portions of the lake.
Before the regulation change, Americans who wanted to fish Ontario side of Rainy Lake needed to acquire a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit. Thanks to the new regulation, Americans are now able to fish these waters without the permit, so long as they don’t:
• Land or touch shore
• Hover with another boat
• Anchor
This opens up new fishing opportunities over hundreds of square miles of Ontario waters.
In addition to changes for where you can take your boat, the new regulation also allows Americans with past misdemeanors to fish the Canadian portion of Rainy Lake. Canada used to restrict all Americans with misdemeanors such as DUIs from entering any part of Canada, because what counts as a misdemeanor in the US is often considered a felony north of the border. The July regulation change gives more Americans the chance to experience world-class Canadian fishing and sightseeing from their boats.
Even with looser regulations in place, you still need an Ontario fishing license to fish the Canadian side of Rainy Lake. The majority of our guests purchase the 8-day or seasonal conservation limit options. In 2017, the daily limits were as follows:
• 1 walleye
• 5 crappies
• 2 bass
• 2 northern
• 25 perch
• Muskies are catch and release
Canadian bait rules on Rainy Lake prohibit the use of live minnows or leeches. If you use night crawlers, they must be in bedding.
Most areas on Rainy Lake are only two to four miles wide, so it’s easy to make a day trip to the Ontario side. Just be sure to have your fishing license on-board if you decide to partake in Rainy Lake’s Ontario fishing. Anyone in a boat that contains fishing rods but no fishing licenses could be subject to fines.
The next time you head to Rainy Lake, check out some of Canada’s best fishing without the need for a passport or an RABC.

Thanks for info.
I wonder if Canada residents can use the U.S. side also? Hope so.

quote Pinetree: "Thanks for info.
I wonder if Canada residents can use the U.S. side also? Hope so."

Agree, as long as applicable licenses are possessed.

Do you think this would ever happen to Quetico?

quote QueticoMike: "Do you think this would ever happen to Quetico?"

I don't think so. This change is to directly help resort operators etc. right on the border.