Gearing up for a fishing trip on some border lakes in less than a month. I think I have all my ducks in a row, but thought I'd poll the herd to see if anyone has additional thoughts or recommendations.

First, let me be clear -- we are taking day trips in a motor boat, and the lakes we'll be fishing are not in Quetico. Saganaga (east end), Gunflint, Magnetic, Little Gunflint, Little North, North.

We have:

- Day Motor permits for Sag.
- MN fishing licenses and trout stamps
- Ontario outdoors cards and sport fishing licenses
- MN Enhanced driver's licenses (and birth certificate for the under 16 party) for reporting to US customs upon our return (using the CBP ROAM app from our lodge)

Rules:

- Since we'll be crossing back and forth over the border, we will need to adhere to the stricter of the two country's policies in terms of gear, methods, and possession limits.
- No live or dead/frozen bait
- No booze in the boat
- Do not land the boat or touch a foot on Canadian soil, and do not anchor in Canadian waters.
- Not sure if this necessary, but the boat has PFD's (worn at all times), a working bilge pump, bow & stern lights, a throwable, 50 ft of buoyant rope, an air horn, and a fired extinguisher.

Other notes:

- The RABC is still suspended but CBSA's new policy as of August 2021 allows for fishing and leisure cruising on the Canadian side of border lakes. From CBSA: "If you enter Canadian waters for leisure and touring, including pleasure fishing or sightseeing (known as loop movements), you are not required to report to the CBSA as long as the boat does not land on Canadian soil, anchor, moor or come alongside another boat in Canadian waters.”

Am I missing anything?

A waterproof flashlight. Even a dollar store version.

That's a LOT of big water you're covering.

Can you actually motor the boat from Little Gunflint to Little North? Or are you portaging that beast? I know the water is up in that area, but sill looks like one helluva chore if it involves gas and motor. Or is that a spot you'll be paddling?

To be clear, (I know you have a boat and motor and are staying east) but you are not saying the rules have changed (for now) about fishing the northern side of border lakes like Ottertrack or Knife with only a Canadian Fishing License correct?

What you posted talked about not touching the land or anchoring, just making sure this is clear that nothing has changed in that area.

Scoobs: "That's a LOT of big water you're covering.


Can you actually motor the boat from Little Gunflint to Little North? Or are you portaging that beast? I know the water is up in that area, but sill looks like one helluva chore if it involves gas and motor. Or is that a spot you'll be paddling? "

We’re pretty familiar with these lakes and we try to err on the safe side with windy days. We floated the boat through the channel between little GF and little North last year. I just trimmed the motor up, jumped into the water and pulled it through by the bow. With the water up this year it will definitely be deep enough, we’ll have to see what the current situation is like. Tough going east and easier coming back out is my guess!

MarshallPrime: "To be clear, (I know you have a boat and motor and are staying east) but you are not saying the rules have changed (for now) about fishing the northern side of border lakes like Ottertrack or Knife with only a Canadian Fishing License correct?


What you posted talked about not touching the land or anchoring, just making sure this is clear that nothing has changed in that area."

I’m not sure exactly what your asking Marshall, but my thought is you would also need quetico permits to fish the Canadian side if those lakes. But you don’t need the RABC (not available anyway) or any customs stuff with Canada if you don’t go ashore or anchor, that applies to all Canadian border lakes. I also heard back from US customs who told me I “If you are not touching Canadian soil, nor meeting up with a vessel in Canadian waters you do not need to report your arrival back into the US.” so that makes things easier as well.

Adam,
Sounds like
you got it down pat.

Sounds like ya got it.

I’d feel weird doing this. So many years of fishing LOTW, Rainy,and outfitters and lodges putting the fear of God into ya if you just stray a a few feet into Canada they’ll throw the book at ya :)

If someone wanted to do this in the BWCA I think you can do this with a vehicle park pass for each canoe to Ontario parks? Plus the Canadian fishing license, outdoors card, no live bait, don’t touch Canadian soil. I’d call Quetico Park to verify or maybe even email the superintendent then keep a copy of the email on you.

T

I guess this makes moot all of the previous comments made here by the most cautious among us re: crossing the border to view the LLC pictographs?

And, how about seeing Rebecca Falls, as long as you don't land?

schweady: "I guess this makes moot all of the previous comments made here by the most cautious among us re: crossing the border to view the LLC pictographs?

And, how about seeing Rebecca Falls, as long as you don't land?
"

You still have to have a Quetico permit for those since you'd be entering the park. Either a visit to the ranger station or the annual vehicle pass that Timatkn mentioned. Likely not worth the expense or trouble if only to view those.

Castaway: "

schweady: "I guess this makes moot all of the previous comments made here by the most cautious among us re: crossing the border to view the LLC pictographs?


And, how about seeing Rebecca Falls, as long as you don't land?
"

You still have to have a Quetico permit for those since you'd be entering the park. Either a visit to the ranger station or the annual vehicle pass that Timatkn mentioned. Likely not worth the expense or trouble if only to view those. "

Sure. I wasn't considering the Quetico layer...

How do you see Rebecca Falls without getting out of the canoe? I don’t think that is realistic. But yes agree that viewing warrior hill and the La La Croix pictos should not be such a big deal. I am not sure those are even in Quetico so that may not matter.

I’d say from what I’ve observed and what the Canadian Game warden told me was the biggest issue they see and fine for is fishing on the Canadian side with live bait and no Canadian license. Such as sitting at the Lower Basswood Falls portage and fishing from shore or the island right off of it.

T