We are going to be in the Clearwater area this spring and are probably going to poke along the BRT at least, but I was wondering if we want to paddle Watap, is the Mountain-Watap portage US, Canadian, or both? We haven't planned to have/need border-crossing paperwork and don't want to find ourselves violating any laws accidentally. Some maps show it on the US side while others make it look as if it crosses the border.

We certainly won't be paddling as far as Rove or Daniels. Just curious about getting to Watap with our canoe(s).

Looks like all the lakes you mention are border lakes so paddling them is perfectly legal, as long as you stay in the water. You become illegal if you step onto Canadian soil.

If you are just passing through and don't stop for sightseeing or fishing (on the Canadian side), you don't need a RABC or anything. You're allowed to travel on the Canadian side of the border for portages and whatnot, but don't linger for lunch on the Canadian side of a portage.

Jackfish: "Looks like all the lakes you mention are border lakes so paddling them is perfectly legal, as long as you stay in the water. You become illegal if you step onto Canadian soil."

Portages like the one by Lower Basswood Falls and the one from Bottle to Iron require that you set foot on Canadian soil, and this is allowed for from what I understand.

See this thread which recently discussed this same thing:
Iron Lake border route thread

It's also one, of only 3, Portages along the border that have the large obelisk border markers.

You are free to move along any of the border route portages without a RBC permit, even if the portage itself is on "all Canadian" soil. A good example of this would be Bottle portage between Lac La Croix and Bottle Lake. I would not advise fishing at either end of this portage as it is in Canadian Waters. The portage is connecting border lakes.

If you are going to pull to shore and eat lunch on Watap lake, do that on the south side of the lake, not the north side.

If you need to seek refuge from extreme weather conditions and your only safe option is on Canadian soil you can do that, but leave once it is safe to travel, do not linger. i.e it would not be prudent to seek refuge from the sun on a calm day on Canadian soil...