Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: Fishing Canada side of border lakes this year???
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timatkn |
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bobbernumber3 |
billconner: "I don't fish so don't really care but if you and canoe are clearly in US, is it illegal if your lure ends up in Canada for a few minutes? Or if you hook it in US and fish heads to CA? " Cut the line in this situation! |
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bottomtothetap |
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Savage Voyageur |
bobbernumber3: "billconner: "I don't fish so don't really care but if you and canoe are clearly in US, is it illegal if your lure ends up in Canada for a few minutes? Or if you hook it in US and fish heads to CA? " Not a chance I would ever cut the line. If I’m in the USA and the fish goes into Canada I would just stay in the good old USA and reel in that tasty Canadian Walleye. Just don’t cross the dotted line and you are good to go. |
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bobbernumber3 |
Savage Voyageur: "bobbernumber3: "billconner: "I don't fish so don't really care but if you and canoe are clearly in US, is it illegal if your lure ends up in Canada for a few minutes? Or if you hook it in US and fish heads to CA? " In this situation, either you are too close to the border or you have too much line on your reel. |
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thegildedgopher |
tumblehome: "thegildedgopher: "Quetico permit not necessarily required. There are border lakes on the east side that are outside Q boundaries. No permit for La Verendrye." Or not, since this is a thread about fishing the Canadian side of a border lake, not about camping on crown land. |
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allforfreeforall |
billconner: "From Canada That about sums it up. |
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bottomtothetap |
mutz: "The border is closed, I am trying to understand what exactly is not clear about this. Kind of like asking if you can fish just a little bit even though fishing season is closed. I would counter that nothing government issued ever does seem to be clear. This tends to prompt all kinds of other questions--"Does this suspend Webster-Ashburton?" , "If I don't touch land am I still 'OK' ?" , etc. Relaxed "enforcement" of rules prior to border closures also contributes to these questions. Even on the government website, look at all of the exemptions: border closure |
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thegildedgopher |
timatkn: "Is North Lake the one with an island on the Canadian side called poop island where all the Americans go to take a dump? I might have my lakes messed up, but on the eastern side yes there are violations on both sides...you are correct. Gross. I don't think that's North lake though. Unless they're going all the way to Sac bay, which is a long ways just to poop. |
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billconner |
mutz: "The border is closed, I am trying to understand what exactly is not clear about this. Kind of like asking if you can fish just a little bit even though fishing season is closed. The border is not closed to essential travel, exactly what the treaty addressed allowing passage. Seems equally clear to me. "It being understood that all the water-communications, and all the usual portages along the line from Lake Superior to the Lake of the Woods; and also Grand Portage, from the shore of Lake Superior to the Pigeon river, as now actually used, shall be free and open to the use of the citizens and subjects of both countries" It doesn't say unless the border is closed. |
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timatkn |
bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " I’ve seen BOy scouts fishing on the LBF portage get a warning and a chastising for fishing in Canadian waters with a “if I wasn’t a former scout you would of been fined.” On this website there have been posts by people confronted. Some was fined for being on warrior hill posted on here because they were told by the outfitter it was okay. I can’t remember what the fine was I want to say $250. Were warned if customs caught them they would of been fined in thousands. Outfitter posted his clients were fined for fishing in front of moose bay on crooked. He posted it as a warning. I think they were fined $250 a piece. The Great Outdoors posted a few accounts along the border je was aware of...he was a former fishing guide. He said fines ranged from hundreds to thousands with confiscation of gear. He said they were not reasonable I got pulled over on Argo by a float plane to check licenses, they were patrolling Crooked for Americans fishing on the wrong side of Crooked and told us they gave out quite a few fines...which surprised me as the weather was terrible... thought we were the only idiots out fishing. This group was business like but expressed there were no warnings. Getting fined was their warning. Someone posted that last summer they were chased away form picotos on Lac La Croix. If you lingered at a portage or were traveling in a canoe not fishing...I’d expect a conversation or a warning. Fishing I think they will come down on you. T |
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Ducksndirt |
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MarshallPrime |
Someone asked about talking to authorities up there, I have been on border waters for probably 10 trips, trolling and casting a little bit everywhere and have never seen US or Canadian DNR. Never checked. In all 15 of my trips, I have only EVER been checked for camping permits 1 time (very nice conversation) on the east side near Caribou and Horseshoe lakes and NEVER for my fishing license. I have spent SO many hours fishing (13 trips in BW and 2 in the Q), so many hours and NEVER a license check. Crazy |
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billconner |
bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " I don't think I've read any reports of this since the border tightening following 9/11. And I've never seen border patrol in the wilderness. I know US rangers won't enforce border issues and don't think Q rangers will either. I guess they could get you gir permit and fishing. |
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sns |
Only if you are willing to spend an extra few days or weeks in Canada as a 'guest' of their institutions... |
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goatroti |
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timatkn |
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billconner |
"You currently cannot enter Canadian waters for optional reasons, such as: touring sightseeing pleasure fishing You may still navigate through international or Canadian waters while in transit directly from one place outside Canada to another place outside Canada, if the transit is: direct continuous/uninterrupted by the most reasonable route" |
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mgraber |
billconner: "From Canada Thanks Bill. So it is like every other year when on a BWCA trip with no Quetico/Canadian permits and licenses, there is no change due to COVID. |
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goatroti |
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billconner |
Now, I also have contacted Canadian authorities by the email contact on that page. Now, I'd guess not but a few percent of the employees in that department have ever heard of Webster Ashburton, but we'll see. General Canadian civil servants are pretty friendly and helpful, so maybe a full answer. Would be interesting to test US civil servants on whether they think Canadians can use US side portages. Of course even if Tradeau, Biden, and the Pope said it was OK, no guarantee the officer in the field won't still put you in jail. |
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tumblehome |
goatroti: ".....your own side, fish your own side. We'll take care of Canada thank you very much." Except with Covid where you could certainly use some help. |
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tg |
tg |
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Wharfrat63 |
bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " This was my experience last year. https://bwca.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=forum.thread&threadId=1222303&forumID=12&confID=1 |
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mgraber |
MarshallPrime: "Yeah, the border isn't opening this year so I figured going into those bays was out ....just sad. All that beautiful water, all the lonely fish... Going in to those bays is always out, every year...unless you have the proper documents. RABC Day use, overnight, or yearly vehicle permit. Canadian fishing license if fishing Passport for returning over the border to the US Must report to US Customs after leaving wilderness I really don't understand why this keeps coming up, I find it embarrassing as a US resident that people don't know that you can't just enter a foreign country without proper documents. I have talked to a number of authorities about this kind of stuff and it is a growing problem, and the attitude towards Americans is deteriorating. Please just follow the rules which have been discussed extensively on this site. I am not suggesting that you would intentionally break laws, you are asking, it just seems to be a common theme lately. Have a good trip! |
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cyclones30 |
If you're not allowed or have the proper paperwork....same thing. I know of a guy that got a float plane ride from the Canadian side of basswood right to jail. Family wired his bail and gave up gear and rights for so many years and got home somehow. |
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goatroti |
mgraber: "MarshallPrime: "Yeah, the border isn't opening this year so I figured going into those bays was out ....just sad. All that beautiful water, all the lonely fish... Thank you from a Canadian. |
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OMGitsKa |
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MarshallPrime |
Border lakes (north side vs south side) are always tricky but a big bay clearly on one side vs the other are pretty clear with fishing regulations. Just wondering. thanks |
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Castaway |
Even if the border is opened, you will require a RABC (Remote Access Border Crossing) document, a Canadian fishing license, which also requires a Canadian Outdoor Card and since you will be in Quetico, a Quetico day pass, which has to be obtained at a Quetico ranger station or you may purchase an annual Canadian vehicle pass to avoid going to the ranger station on the day of your trip. A lot of expense and trouble unless you make it a true Quetico trip in which case it is worth it! |
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cowdoc |
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MarshallPrime |
The BWCA is going to be PACKED worse than last year!!!! We are going 2 weeks earlier than normal to avoid the crowds but it will still be very busy the 1st week of June I'm sure. |
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billconner |
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cyclones30 |
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Savage Voyageur |
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billconner |
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bottomtothetap |
timatkn: "bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " Thanks for those examples, timatkn--including the "first person" info you related about your experience on Argo. All of those scenarios seem to involve a concern for specifically standing on foreign soil or the suspicion of fishing foreign water. With the lively discussion and ominous warnings that get posted on this forum regularly including words like "you just can't cross an imaginary line for any reason", "no exceptions", "there is no grey area--it's all black and white", "you are subject to significant fines", etc. I was worried about planning a trip to border areas again based on past experiences: One time on Seed, just before the portage on our way to Knife, as I saw the point at about 2 o'clock on my right and saw the dead end bay ahead, a quick check of the map confirmed that we had veered a bit north of our target and would need to correct to our right to get to the portage. According to the map we had no doubt wandered into Canada for a bit. We camped on Robbins Island and at one point took a cruise around the island during which I can't say that we hugged the north shore of the island particularly tight and this may have put us over the line as well. On our return trip, a slip and fall at the end of the portage from knife to seed got one of our guys quite wet and a shin cut. Before proceeding he switched into some dryer clothes and did some quick first aid on his shin cut. This portage is on the Canada side and while he changed clothes and dressed his wound, we clearly weren't "only portaging". Didn't think much of this at the time but in retrospect these sound like mistakes that could have provided some serious consequences had there been Canadian rangers nearby. Your scenarios about fishing and stepping on foreign soil other than at a portage, do make me feel more assured about future outings even if I now still feel just a little guilt for that last trip to Knife. I can't find anywhere that the border closure has included suspension of the Webster-Ashburton treaty so I think we can still go for a border route. If someone is certain otherwise, please let me know! |
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timatkn |
OMGitsKa: "Can someone clarify are we allowed to use shared portages? I was under the impression it was allowed, heading to Knife Lake later next month. " I cannot say with 100% certainty but any portage that was allowed before is still allowed. What portages would you take to get into knife that are in Canada? I've never been there. Last year Canadians still used Curtain falls Portage (US side) and Americans used Bottle portage (Canadian side). Those portages fall under the Webster Ashburton Treaty. I don't know enough about Knife to know if those portages have traditionally been used under the treaty. See the last few threads in the link posted to last years discussion. T |
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bottomtothetap |
Wharfrat63: "bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " I do remember that thread, wharfrat63. Sounds like the ranger was asking the needed questions to do his job and that his main concerns were that you had not stepped on Canada soil and that you were not fishing, and not so much that you were looking at the pictos. His wariness about your presence was likely prompted by the confusing info he got from that other guy in your party. When something does not make sense, it is their job to be suspicious until they get clarification. Good for you for respectfully NOT stepping on land, NOT fishing and moving on without a scene when the situation didn't feel as comfortable as you preferred. |
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timatkn |
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yuri |
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goatroti |
yuri: "absooolutely fishin the canadian side " C'mon over and fish under a bridge...troll! |
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Speckled |
goatroti: "yuri: "absooolutely fishin the canadian side " Or maybe the guy live in canada and is only going to the Q? |
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goatroti |
Speckled: "goatroti: "yuri: "absooolutely fishin the canadian side " Damnable Canadians. Join and minutes later make their only post trying to annoy and inflame. |
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mgraber |
goatroti: "Speckled: "goatroti: "yuri: "absooolutely fishin the canadian side " Lol! |
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user0317 |
goatroti: "Speckled: "goatroti: "yuri: "absooolutely fishin the canadian side " Probably one of those tire slashing Canadians we've been hearing about. |
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djwillco |
bottomtothetap: "Sometimes it's easy to make mistakes. Would be interested to hear a few first-person accounts of those who've veered a bit across the "imaginary line" (as I know I have--apparently I've been extremely lucky) or were lingering a bit long on a portage and were confronted by authorities. What was your experience? Was it costly? What was the demeanor of the official--U.S. or Canadian? Were they "reasonable"? What were the overall consequences? " I've been (and seen others) shooed back across the imaginary border line in the water while in Voyageurs National Park. Rangers on boats in there. No big deal, they just let us know and told us to move back the other way. We weren't near land. I am actually a dual citizen of Canada and U.S. so maybe the ranger recognized the familiar and folksy canuck look on my face and went easy on me. :-) |
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WhiteWolf |
tg: "Not BWCA but a few years back we were fishing sturgeon on the Rainy River near the mouth at LOTW. We were in a group of boats fishing a deep hole near the invisible boundary. Our GPS chip showed we we in the US. The Canadian border patrol did not agree but after looking at our electronics and considering our contrition just told us to move over 20 feet. We could have been cited for numerous violations (beer in boat, fishing sturgeon in Canada (illegal at this time of year-at least), fishing without Canadian licenses). Embarrassed that we pushed our luck and feel like we really dodged one there. Not worth it. Similar situation - though we were never approached. Fishing Rainy River near Indus in FEB 1996 (pre 9/11) - through the ice. Got within perhaps 80-100' of the what we thought was the border and decide no more closer. Turns out as the sun set that night in the SW sky - it revealed the glare of spotting scopes watching us on the Canadian bank. Not worth it getting any closer. |
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mutz |
Closed means no. |
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timatkn |
Now not responding to Bill’s post I also think Mutz is correct as the original question was can we fish in Canadian waters. The answer is clearly no at this time under any circumstances. If the border opens then you would need an Ontario outdoors card, Quetico permit, RABC, no live bait, Ontario fishing license, no barbs on your line to be legal to fish on the Canadian side. I am with Mutz also on there seems to be this cavalier attitude of Americans towards the Canadian border. It’s okay to cross over and site see, it’s okay to fish the Canadian side, its okay to go to Rebecca Falls, it’s okay to camp on the Canadian side if you can’t find American sites etc… none of these things are ever allowed. People just don’t get caught very often some how I guess it’s okay? Have people never heard of the word integrity? T |
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thegildedgopher |
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tumblehome |
thegildedgopher: "Quetico permit not necessarily required. There are border lakes on the east side that are outside Q boundaries. No permit for La Verendrye." You need a crown land permit. $5 a night. Sportsman outdoor card required before you can purchase a fishing license. Still need an RABC or clear customs. |
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thegildedgopher |
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timatkn |
thegildedgopher: "Also the more I think, the barbless statement is incorrect as well as this is not an Ontario regulation but a quetico one. Barbs are fine on the Canadian side of lakes like Gunflint, North, Mountain, etc, since those lakes are not in Q." For most of the Canadian/BWCAW border the barbless, Quetico permit, and no live bait rules apply but Yes if the border lake isn’t part of Quetico then you can just do Ontario outdoors card, ontario fishing license, RABC, passport, no live bait except crawlers…minnows and leeches are illegal to bring across the border…the point is many Americans think they can just travel back and forth fishing and site seeing over an international boundary disrespecting our neighbors to the north and our own US customs process. T |
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Wolfee |
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timatkn |
Wolfee: "I definitely saw the opposite last year, in terms of illegal border crossing/fishing. I counted 5 Canadian motorboats clearly fishing in US waters. Honestly, I don't give a crap if our friendly neighbors to the north bend the border rules a touch, just pointing out that it goes both ways and it's not like all Americans are rule-breaking border crossing scofflaws, while all Canadians are goody-two-shoes..." For the most part those are First Nation guides with Americans on board who are paying them to either knowingly or unknowingly violate the law. Not many if any Canadians frequent the resorts on Lac La Croix…The US has tried to stop this. Even taken First Nation guides to federal court. In every case we have lost…something about ancestral lands and being a sovereign nation…it has been a long time so I think enforcement has given up. Your only recourse is don’t support businesses that hire the guides that do this or don’t hire these guides. People have posted pictures on here before with the resorts name. The guides I don’t think consider themselves Canadian… Sometimes these are Americans coming in from Crane on the railroad portage…I doubt many if any are just plain ole Canadian’s coming across the border to fish. T |
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WhiteWolf |
Wolfee: "I definitely saw the opposite last year, in terms of illegal border crossing/fishing. I counted 5 Canadian motorboats clearly fishing in US waters. Honestly, I don't give a crap if our friendly neighbors to the north bend the border rules a touch, just pointing out that it goes both ways and it's not like all Americans are rule-breaking border crossing scofflaws, while all Canadians are goody-two-shoes..." as long as this is brought up- every year I've done the Kruger/Waddell challenge from I-Falls or Crane Lake to Superior- 2015-16,18-20 - every year there is illegal Canadian boats fishing in US waters on LLC-- all in the same general spot just S of 27 and 25 Islands WELL into the US waters. It's goes both ways obviously but rarely you hear anyone mention the other side. |
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Wolfee |
timatkn: "Wolfee: "I definitely saw the opposite last year, in terms of illegal border crossing/fishing. I counted 5 Canadian motorboats clearly fishing in US waters. Honestly, I don't give a crap if our friendly neighbors to the north bend the border rules a touch, just pointing out that it goes both ways and it's not like all Americans are rule-breaking border crossing scofflaws, while all Canadians are goody-two-shoes..." I'm sure that's probably true on LLC. I was actually talking about North Lake. Pretty sure they were all Canadians since they were all in large boats with big HP engines and this was last year when the border was closed. No way they were getting those boats through Little Gunflint channel. Kind of makes me wonder if all the best fishing that time of year is on the US side. |
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timatkn |
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