Does anyone know what safety equipment we need to have onboard our canoe while in Quetico?
Obviously, life jackets are required.
I thought I read somewhere that you need a floating rope and a horn or whistle.

I too think a whistle is a requirement.
Other than that and the PFD I think you're good.
I've never had anyone in Canada ask for either.

Pretty sure there’s a requirement for some sort of throw rope for safety as well, but I’ve also never been checked. The only reason I’m even aware of the throw rope requirement is that I believe it was briefly mentioned at a Ranger station to me once. I have never been checked for this either. I’m generally more concerned about proper permit, fishing license, documentation, and following the fishing regulations.

There is a downloadable Wilderness Guide available on the Friends of Quetico Park website. In it you will find a section on park rules and regulations (some of this information is not available on the official Quetico website) and the safety equipment for canoes:
1. a pfd for each person
2. a buoyant heaving line 15 meters or longer
3. a bailer
4. a sound-signaling device (whistle)
5. a waterproof flashlight if paddling at night
6. "one manual propelling device (i.e. set of oars or paddle) or an anchor with no less than 15 meters of cable, rope or chain in any combination."

The last item is very odd: a paddle OR an anchor. It is obviously meant for a boat with a motor, but it is listed under regulations for canoes and kayaks.

I can't find the regulations online, but it seems that the list of required safety equipment applied to canoes registered in Canada? Read closely where you find the regulations.

Thank you for the quick responses. If I pick up a whistle, I should have everything covered. A bailing device could mean anything so I’m sure I can find something. The rope for my drift sock floats, so I’m considering that good enough.
I’m in northern MN and one more required item should be lots and lots of bug spray. The gnats in my yard could carry you away. Our permit is next Friday. Hopefully, they aren’t as bad across the border.

If registered in US, you only need what your home state requires. Ausable's list is if registered in Canada.

Vaguely related to regulations, so I'll try asking here: has anyone ever had their tackle checked by the authorities?

I just spent an hour or so switching out treble hooks for single ones on some new lures and smashed down a bunch of barbs. I'd get rid of those evil treble hooks on everything everywhere if I weren't too lazy, though TBH I like having barbs when I'm fishing for dinner down in Baja and elsewhere.

On my first trip across Quetico Lake a few years back, I caught a nice-sized pike who had someone else's rather large treble hook stuck in his jaw, no lure attached.

Treble hooks are fine, Luckee. Barbs in your tackle box are fine. Just no barbs on the hook on your line.

bobbernumber3: "I can't find the regulations online, but it seems that the list of required safety equipment applied to canoes registered in Canada? Read closely where you find the regulations. "

We don't register canoes in Canada. I very much doubt there is any exception for boats entering from the USA.

On normal cottage lakes with motor boats you better have all the gear listed in the regs when spot-checked or they will dole out the fines liberally. The regs apply to canoes, kayaks, as well as paddleboards. Even the waterproof light has to be onboard at all times - night and day. Yes, you heard the right.

I very much doubt you're going to get pinched in Quetico. Perhaps on a border lake on an extraordinarily rare occasion. That would be very bad luck indeed.

from: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/visitor-information

Safety Equipment Requirements
Foreign pleasure craft (pleasure craft that are licensed or registered in a country other than Canada) need to comply with equipment requirements of the country in which the vessel is usually kept.

If you are not a resident of Canada and are using a pleasure craft licensed or registered in Canada, all of the required safety equipment must meet Canadian safety requirements. However, you may opt to bring your own PFD for your own personal use.

For more information, consult the Small Vessel Regulations.

link

Argo: "...I very much doubt there is any exception for boats entering from the USA. "

Link


The Regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. Please note that a proof of residence will be required on board at all times.

billconner: "from: https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/marine-safety/visitor-information


Safety Equipment Requirements
Foreign pleasure craft (pleasure craft that are licensed or registered in a country other than Canada) need to comply with equipment requirements of the country in which the vessel is usually kept.


If you are not a resident of Canada and are using a pleasure craft licensed or registered in Canada, all of the required safety equipment must meet Canadian safety requirements. However, you may opt to bring your own PFD for your own personal use.


For more information, consult the Small Vessel Regulations.

link "

Thumb up.

Ever read the kids book "I Want to Go Home" by Gordon Korman? It's about two boys trying to run away from their summer camp that's on an island in the north woods of Ontario. One escape attempt was almost successful but was foiled when a provincial police cruiser stopped their boat mid lake and made the boys go back to camp because they didn't have a bailing bucket.

From other responses sounds like the regs don't apply to you but I loved that book as a kid and this discussion made me think of it :)

Wow, thanks for switching on the dim light in my brain bobbernumber3 -- why did I assume single hooks???

Should we suggest that to the authorities, or is no-bait/no-barbs good enough? Maybe Quetico should actually go FFO :D

Luckee: "Wow, thanks for switching on the dim light in my brain bobbernumber3 -- why did I assume single hooks???


Should we suggest that to the authorities, or is no-bait/no-barbs good enough? Maybe Quetico should actually go FFO :D"

No problem, Luckee. I went to single hooks on some of my trolling lures, but without barbs they were pretty much useless. Don't get me started on live bait in the Q!!!

Still scratching my head on FFO?

Laughable !
Bring a life vest, and use your fingers to whistle.

Stumpy: "Laughable !
Bring a life vest, and use your fingers to whistle. "

As a euphemism for ridiculous.

The required Canadian safety kit, as it applies to non-motorized craft, is a classic example if bureaucratic indifference.

I was checked in Quetico on March Lake on May 17 or 18th. They only asked for my permit and did not check safety equipment. If they had checked, I would have met the requirements because I have a headlamp and a
4-Bailer
The 4-bailer has a floating heaving rope, bailer, whistle and reflector in one small package.

bobbernumber3 , "FFO" would be "Fly-fishing Only," which is a rule you see here and there. I do a lot of fly-flinging for bass and pike in the Q.

In all seriousness, I'd be bummed out by FFO in Quetico. I've never managed a walleye on flies, but trolling from the yak can produce a few of those delicious fish. Same for lakers.