I received a call from Canada asking me if I wanted a refund for my RABC permit. They said my choices were to take the refund or not take the refund, so I took the refund. They said some people declined a refund?!?

They don't see anyone crossing the border into Quetico this year. Sad having to go another year without Quetico. He said they might not be doing any RABC permits in the future, so I guess if this happens, PP ranger station would close?

I also guess if you wanted to go to Quetico once the borders open someday in the future that you would have to drive to one of the northern entry points. I hope this doesn't happen.

That is terrible news...hopefully he was misinformed. I won't get too worked up right now, but I live in Ely and it would be a tragedy if I had to make a 4 hour drive to get into the park I live about 20 miles from...

Eric, there is no nonessential travel in sight at this time...may be possible if you can get yourself vaccinated. My guess is that, demographically, you are low on the list.

Ugh!

That's pretty much what I expected for this year. But the stuff about the future of RABC is is alarming. Staying tuned...

Dang, that means another busy year for BWCA too.

This is a bummer. After making our first trip to Quetico in 2018, my group vowed we would be annual Quetico goers vs. BWCA. The SMB fishing on Jean was like nothing we’ve experienced in BWCA. Really hoping late summer / fall trip to Q is a possibility.

Mike - any BWCA lake recommendations for late May / early June to target primarily SMB with some bonus walleye? Appreciate any suggestions

I assume this RABC was for 2020? Our group had 4 of them but I have not received any phone call. This kills me to not be able to go into Quetico. I am 67 and running out of time :) Sound pretty solid we are not going in this year. Bummer

deancal20: "I assume this RABC was for 2020? Our group had 4 of them but I have not received any phone call. This kills me to not be able to go into Quetico. I am 67 and running out of time :) Sound pretty solid we are not going in this year. Bummer"

I purchased one for 2020. Once I knew the borders were not opening in 2020, I called for a refund. They said I could receive a refund or wait for the 2021 permit. I said I would wait and just have my money go towards the 2021 permit.

They called me last week and said they don't foresee the border being open this year and are issuing refunds to the people who pushed their money to 2021 from the 2020 purchase. I asked if the border opens this year if I could apply for a RABC permit and he said the border isn't opening in 2021 and that is why they are now offering refunds.

He also went on to say that they are undecided if they were going to continue with the RABC program after the borders do reopen. If that is the case you will have to drive or fly into a northern entry point. Unless they plan to open back up the customs at the PP or Cache Bay entry points.

It probably depends on when you purchased your RABC when you will receive a call. Did you call them last year about a refund or extension? If not, then you might have lost your money for the purchase since 2020 has past.

I purchased mine 12 months ago. Maybe you will receive a call 12 months after your purchase date if you asked for an extension. Or you could call and ask for your refund now and see what they say. They said it will take 4 to 6 weeks to receive your refund check. If you call them, please let us know what they tell you.

Hmmm...I called last October, but was told they were not going to issue ANY rabc refunds. Mike, you must be living right!

Spookmeister: "Hmmm...I called last October, but was told they were not going to issue ANY rabc refunds. Mike, you must be living right!"

My partner must be living right too, because they called and left him a message as well. I have not talked to him to see if he called them back. I will text him and see.

QueticoMike: "

Spookmeister: "Hmmm...I called last October, but was told they were not going to issue ANY rabc refunds. Mike, you must be living right!"

My partner must be living right too, because they called and left him a message as well. I have not talked to him to see if he called them back. I will text him and see."

My buddy didn't talk to anyone, he said he just received a message and was told he would be sent a refund in 2 months.

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

This does not bode well for my July Lac Seul trip that's been planned since 2019. I wouldn't go without widespread vaccinations anyway but this puts a real damper on that. Hoping the news about RABC discontinuation won't go through.

Might have to change your name to Just south of Quetico Mike

Basspro69: "Might have to change your name to Just south of Quetico Mike "

Yep, just call me BW Mike for the mean time.......

QueticoMike: "

Basspro69: "Might have to change your name to Just south of Quetico Mike "

Yep, just call me BW Mike for the mean time......."

Doesn’t matter... you will still hammer the smallies !

BWCAgoer: "This is a bummer. After making our first trip to Quetico in 2018, my group vowed we would be annual Quetico goers vs. BWCA. The SMB fishing on Jean was like nothing we’ve experienced in BWCA. Really hoping late summer / fall trip to Q is a possibility.

Mike - any BWCA lake recommendations for late May / early June to target primarily SMB with some bonus walleye? Appreciate any suggestions"

How was the smallmouth action on Jean? Jean is one of my dream base camp trips!

How was the fishing on Jean? That is one of my Quetico dream trips (specifically for SMB!)

BWCAgoer: "This is a bummer. After making our first trip to Quetico in 2018, my group vowed we would be annual Quetico goers vs. BWCA. The SMB fishing on Jean was like nothing we’ve experienced in BWCA. Really hoping late summer / fall trip to Q is a possibility.


Mike - any BWCA lake recommendations for late May / early June to target primarily SMB with some bonus walleye? Appreciate any suggestions"

Sorry, I missed your question when you asked this a couple of weeks ago. If you want to catch big smallmouth, fish one of the big border lakes. Basswood, Crooked, and Lac La Croix come to mind. There is also a good population of walleye available as well.

Tristian5431: "How was the fishing on Jean? That is one of my Quetico dream trips (specifically for SMB!)"

Fishing on Jean is always good. One of the best places to find an easy grand slam.

Maybe some good news? I received a letter from the Canada Border Services Agency saying they will be sending me a $30 check in the next 6 to 8 weeks for refund of my 2020 RABC.

The bright spot in the letter and read into what you will, states : Please check our website for information on the resumption of the RABC program, at which time you will be able to submit a new application.

They also mention in the letter previous to the above sentence it mentions "suspension of the program". So that's sounds promising as well.

So it doesn't sound to me like that are doing away with the RABC program which I was told on the phone could be a possibility.

QueticoMike: "Maybe some good news? I received a letter from the Canada Border Services Agency saying they will be sending me a $30 check in the next 6 to 8 weeks for refund of my 2020 RABC.


The bright spot in the letter and read into what you will, states : Please check our website for information on the resumption of the RABC program, at which time you will be able to submit a new application.


They also mention in the letter previous to the above sentence it mentions "suspension of the program". So that's sounds promising as well.


So it doesn't sound to me like that are doing away with the RABC program which I was told on the phone could be a possibility. "

I'll take good news in any form I can get it. Thanks for sharing Mike. Fingers crossed.

Don't worry, Mikey .... I'll keep you apprised from my InReach every day of my 46 this summer ....

... if they open the provincial parks. ;)

If only the USA would restrict Florida, Arizona, etc....access to Canadians identically to Canada access this non-sense would be over. Because sufficient Canadians aren’t vaccinated due to self inflicted lack of planning, fully vaccinated USA residents willing to get tested coming and going are not allowed to cross the border. Makes perfect sense to me? Huh? Just sayn. Rant over. Just tired of artificial one way extraneous restrictions from Canada who’s COVID infection RATE is now higher than USA despite the smug attitude.