Are there any surprising logistics doing a land crossing in International Falls and driving to Atikokan compared to using an RABC? We usually bring some vodka and whiskey, all of our groceries (sometimes including some meat for night one), etc.), gear including fuel, stoves, saws, etc. Anything surprising that can’t go across the border?

I’ve paddled in the southern Q for most of the past decade via the RABC or Crane Lake, so I just want to make sure not to miss something, especially since I understand Atikokan is a good bit smaller than Ely, so I hope to not need many last minute things. Thanks in advance!

Wow. Just a quick look at Atikokan on Google Maps and I found two canoe/paddling shops, a liquor store, a beer store, a grocery store, Jehovah's Witnesses, LDS Church and a weed shop. Everything you might need for this and the next world.

Haha. I’m not suggesting we couldn’t supply up in Atikokan. We travel from Texas so we prefer to keep the travel process streamlined and pick up our groceries, etc. curbside.

Perhaps I’m making it more complicated than just checking the Canadian restrictions on what can be brought across the border, which I’ve done. I just wanted to look for any tips or anything I might be missing that might be different from a southern entry to the Q.

What you can bring into Canada

Also:
CBSA

Items you cannot bring:
Food: Fresh fruits and vegetables and animal and fish products.
Live bait: Don't bring minnows, leeches, smelts, or leeches on your fishing trips. ...
Weapons: Guns and firearms, ammunition, fireworks, and mace and pepper spray are not allowed.

I have crossed into Canada for a Quetico trip every summer for the past 10 years (except 2020). Customs at International fall is very straight forward. They commonly ask about live bait (no), tobacco (limits), alcohol (limits), and bear spray (allowed if labeled as such.) I keep all these types of items in an accessible box in case they want to look at them. Usually they don't.

We bring all of our dry food across the border prepackaged with us ready to throw into the boat. I recommend if you need any additional provisions that you buy them in Fort Frances. There is a good sized Safeway right after you cross the border. Easy to pick up any fresh or forgotten items there. The shops in Atikokan are often not open or low stocked.

Have a great trip.

billconner: " What you can bring into Canada

Also:
CBSA

Items you cannot bring:
Food: Fresh fruits and vegetables and animal and fish products.
Live bait: Don't bring minnows, leeches, smelts, or leeches on your fishing trips. ...
Weapons: Guns and firearms, ammunition, fireworks, and mace and pepper spray are not allowed."

Confused about the term "weapons". The term applied should be "firearms". It's legal to bring hunting rifles and shotguns to Canada. Just not handguns and other restricted firearms.

CBSA referes to "firearms and weapons".

link

Awesome! That’s what I was looking for. Thank you all for the information and tips. Hopefully other first timers to Northern entries will find this useful as well.

I’ll have to think more about my food then. I usually do like a prepped fajita meal that I freeze with peppers and meat and then fry up for the first night. I also bring some of the bag salads that work well for the first few nights. I’ll have to do a bit more homework on what is or isn’t allowed.

Ryan