Goal: Allow the use of Live Bait on border lakes that are in both the BWCA and Quetico.

Mark today on your calander as the day one man with a dream was able change things. All I’m trying to do is get Quetico to allow the use of organic bait on lakes where it’s already being used on the other side of an imaginary line. So today it starts. If you want to be part of this movement or have ideas on how to acheive this please comment below. #basswishes

With the large increase in exotics and even viruses like VHS I don't think it is a wise idea. No I wouldn't ask for changes in the BWCA-just leave it alone. Quetico people would not want to change either. Another, worms and night crawlers are non native to Quetico. Yes they are in some areas already. Yes it is border lakes and I understand your thinking. But it would make more sense to go the Quetico way and go all artificial, but I am not advocating that. There is a long list of exotics already introduces by man. It seems once it gets closeto another body of water,it is only a matter of time that exotic will make it to the next lake.
Also you got issues on live bait vs artificials hooking mortality which we could debate forever.
Don't mess with a great thing as it is now.
Nothing wrong with floating a idea tho and opinions.

Pinetree: "With the large increase in exotics and even viruses like VHS I don't think it is a wise idea. No I wouldn't ask for changes in the BWCA-just leave it alone. Quetico people would not want to change either. Another worms and night crawlers are non native to Quetico. Yes they are in some areas already. Yes it is border lakes and I understand your thinking. But it would make more sense to go the Quetico way but I am not advocating that. There is a long list of exotics already introduces by man.
Also you got issues on live bait vs artificials hooking mortality which we could debate forever.
Don't mess with a great thing as it is now.
Nothing wrong with floating a idea tho and opinions."

Thank you for your response and give me the other side of the issue. Sometimes i can be so bullheaded that it’s heard to see the other side of the coin. Trevor Gibb is the type of leader who will listen to reason and hopefully make a concession.

It’s a non-starter for all of the reasons given. We don’t have a vote in Canada.

I fully concur with Pinetree.
But, yes, if we don't ask the questions we never get improvements.

jcavenagh: "I fully concur with Pinetree.
But, yes, if we don't ask the questions we never get improvements."

My point exactly. I just want to ask as well it’s a minor concession with no addition impact since the use of live bait is already being used on those lakes.

I hope you get things changed. On border lakes it’s a joke why you can’t use live bait from USA in Canada. I see no good reasons that is not already ok to do. A person using bait that has any viruses on the United States side will eventually get past the imaginary line into Canada anyway. This bait war has been going on for a long time, I doubt if you can change the minds of them.

Savage Voyageur: "I hope you get things changed. On border lakes it’s a joke why you can’t use live bait from USA in Canada. I see no good reasons that is not already ok to do. A person using bait that has any viruses on the United States side will eventually get past the imaginary line into Canada anyway. This bait war has been going on for a long time, I doubt if you can change the minds of them. "

So when you go thru like Quetico entry point Prairie Portage. How do they enforce the rules. You most likely going to go inland into Quetico. Dump them on the portage? What do you do? Dump your live bait which happens often into the water(which is illegal) or night crawlers on the ground. It will make enforcement hard for Quetico.
Exotics now in border lakes-Smelt,spiney water flea,rusty and blue crayfish etc.
Like others said. Its Canada's laws if you don't like them you don't have to fish there.

Pinetree: "

Savage Voyageur: "I hope you get things changed. On border lakes it’s a joke why you can’t use live bait from USA in Canada. I see no good reasons that is not already ok to do. A person using bait that has any viruses on the United States side will eventually get past the imaginary line into Canada anyway. This bait war has been going on for a long time, I doubt if you can change the minds of them. "

So when you go thru like Quetico entry point Prairie Portage. How do they enforce the rules. You most likely going to go inland into Quetico. Dump them on the portage? What do you do? Dump your live bait which happens often into the water(which is illegal) or night crawlers on the ground. It will make enforcement hard for Quetico.
Exotics now in border lakes-Smelt,spiney water flea,rusty and blue crayfish etc.
Like others said. Its Canada's laws if you don't like them you don't have to fish there. "

The original posters question was to use live bait on the border lakes that are on the border that is US and Canada water with an imaginary line. My response was if you can use live bait in Minnesota any of the viruses or invasive species brought in with the bait will already be in Canadian waters. So it makes no sense to me why it’s not legal to use live bait on (any border waters) only. If I’m on the Minnesota side using live bait, have a Canadian fishing license and want to fish the other side of the lake it’s against the law. It makes zero sense and this is exactly what Franky Paull, me and thousands others are complaining about.

Going into other lakes beyond the border is another thing that we are not talking about in this thread. The topic is not dumping Minnows or worms on the ground.

Just because it’s Canada’s laws doesn’t mean I have to like them or not try to change them. People from other countries are always trying to change our laws, I see no reason why we can’t want change their laws.

It is illegal to bring live bait to Prairie Portage, so whatever you do with it there will also be illegal.

You can use anytype of live bait you want on the Quetico side just hire a native guide. Either it isn’t enforced or there are no rules for Natives—-either way Quetico doesn’t really have a live bait ban. Seen minnows used on Basswood, Poohbah, Minn, crooked, Argo, Darky, and McAree...even saw a native resupply plane drop in on Darky since the live bait ban.

Why would they care if a few others used live bait? Can’t hurt to ask. I’d like to see it go one way or another and not be fake...feel good regulations...they currently have.

T

old_salt: "It is illegal to bring live bait to Prairie Portage, so whatever you do with it there will also be illegal."

Technically that’s false Prarie Portage uses the Webter-Ashburton Treaty guidelines so you can walk the portage with live bait.

I think I would start with a post on the Quetico Facebook page and solicit comments via social media. Q Facebook . Rangers are often talking about the low numbers of people using the park and I think it is due, in part, to the restrictions on bait, barbed hooks, etc. which do not favor the fisherman.

timatkn: "You can use anytype of live bait you want on the Quetico side just hire a native guide. Either it isn’t enforced or there are no rules for Natives—-either way Quetico doesn’t really have a live bait ban. Seen minnows used on Basswood, Poohbah, Minn, crooked, Argo, Darky, and McAree...even saw a native resupply plane drop in on Darky since the live bait ban.


Why would they care if a few others used live bait? Can’t hurt to ask. I’d like to see it go one way or another and not be fake...feel good regulations...they currently have.


T


"

+1

Frankie_Paull: "

old_salt: "It is illegal to bring live bait to Prairie Portage, so whatever you do with it there will also be illegal."

Technically that’s false Prarie Portage uses the Webter-Ashburton Treaty guidelines so you can walk the portage with live bait. "

Yes, you can use the portage, but you cannot have live bait in your possession.

bobbernumber3: "I think I would start with a post on the Quetico Facebook page and solicit comments via social media. Q Facebook . Rangers are often talking about the low numbers of people using the park and I think it is due, in part, to the restrictions on bait, barbed hooks, etc. which do not favor the fisherman."

I’m just one person but I haven’t been to the Quetico since the bait restrictions . It doesn’t make much sense to pay more money and catch fewer fish.

thanks everyone for the input and opinions. I will keep everyone updated and hopefully we will be fishing with Slip Bobbers on Bayley Bay by this time next year.

Zwater: "

timatkn: "You can use anytype of live bait you want on the Quetico side just hire a native guide. Either it isn’t enforced or there are no rules for Natives—-either way Quetico doesn’t really have a live bait ban. Seen minnows used on Basswood, Poohbah, Minn, crooked, Argo, Darky, and McAree...even saw a native resupply plane drop in on Darky since the live bait ban.
Why would they care if a few others used live bait? Can’t hurt to ask. I’d like to see it go one way or another and not be fake...feel good regulations...they currently have.T"

+1 "

It's all about money, and has been since they banned leeches from being taken into Canada when purchased in the United States. For years, they allowed Canadians to bring leeches from the US, and sell them, until stopping that years ago & forcing the Canadians to trap their own.
This is different from live bait use in the Quetico Park. As Frankie Paull said live bait should be allowed on the border lakes where it is allowed on the US side.
And yes, the Native guides on the Canadian side can use live bait and motors on certain bodies of water that the Canadian government opens to them yearly.
MONEY! :)

+1 too!

I say quit your grousing , crush your barbs and fish. If you can't catch fish in the Quetico without bait and barbs you should have your license revoked.

I can't quite fathom the logic of an argument that claims Canadians make money by banning live bait. Maybe if they banned the importation of lures....

Banksiana: "I say quit your grousing , crush your barbs and fish. If you can't catch fish in the Quetico without bait and barbs you should have your license revoked.


I can't quite fathom the logic of an argument that claims Canadians make money by banning live bait. Maybe if they banned the importation of lures...."

Agree- we got great fishing etc. Don't mess with it.

The fishing is outstanding without live bait, see no reason for changing things at all.

Money is the lead cause. Go up to Sioux Lookout and see what the price is for not just bait, but for everything. Money talks. Quetico is no different.

Banksiana: "I say quit your grousing , crush your barbs and fish. If you can't catch fish in the Quetico without bait and barbs you should have your license revoked.


I can't quite fathom the logic of an argument that claims Canadians make money by banning live bait. Maybe if they banned the importation of lures...."

The logic is personally talking to Canadian officials, and a fellow by the name of Grant Yo in the mid 90's who called me about supplying him with Ciscoes.
Long explanation so if ever in Ely stop in the shop and I can let you know what happened.
Shouldn't be a problem for you Banksiana since you live in the area. :)

I understand that banning the importation of live bait to Canada can make money for Canadians- that's easy. But banning live bait in the Quetico- doesn't make anyone money for anyone on either side of the border.

Pinetree: "

Banksiana: "I say quit your grousing , crush your barbs and fish. If you can't catch fish in the Quetico without bait and barbs you should have your license revoked.



I can't quite fathom the logic of an argument that claims Canadians make money by banning live bait. Maybe if they banned the importation of lures...."

Agree- we got great fishing etc. Don't mess with it."

Question? Why don’t some of you seem concerned that there really is no live bait ban in Quetico? I keep seeing comments like “Don’t mess with it” Leave it alone”...Either there is a bait ban or there isn’t...as far as spreading invasive species goes.

I think those saying quite bitching aren’t understanding the hypocrisy that some people are bringing in bait by motors and plane which is infinitely more dangerous to the spread of invasives than anything a canoe can do. If that is happening the ban on canoeists bringing in bait really is doing nothing for the spread of invasives...I don’t think it is money driven (probably more PC driven) but I can see why others do think that.

It is a very poor policy by Quetico Park either ban it or don’t ban it, but right now I’d argue Quetico Park is at higher risk for invasives than the BWCAW. You can’t take minnows on float planes and drop into lakes in the BWCAW, for the right price I can do that in Quetico. Even many areas in Voyageur’s National Park ban that practice.

T