Spring Bite on the Rainy

[James_R]

There is no imaginary "line" on the Rainy River as far a travel goes. It is a navigable waterway. Unless you set foot on Canadian soil, dock your boat on their side of the river or tie your craft to a Canadian vessel you are free to be wherever you want on the river without an I-68 or a canpass. You are still subject to Ontario game laws on their side of the river but they do not have the authority to chase you onto our half of the river if you decide to move your boat over a few inches towards the south. A lot of people spreading paranoia and misinformation here so relax on the river next month and feel free to drive your boats wherever you want to on the river. If you have a couple of fish in your livewell and no Ontario fishing license don't beach your boat on the canadian shoreline and take a nap and you'll be just fine.

[maj330]

Any chance you can point to a government document supporting your statement?

[harvey lee]

Guess I have been told wrong info by many up in that area. Thats what I have been told more than once. Not what the guy that got fined told me at all.

Guess it is worth a phone call to the Ontario office. Need to get some info from the horses mouth.

[James_R]

Call a port of entry near the Rainy River and ask to speak to an officer familiar with this specific inland waterway. I'm not advocating that anyone should fish illegally in Canadian waters but their jurisdiction does end in Canada and does not include the United States. Border Patrol cannot legally enter Mexico to pursue a suspect since it violates Mexican sovereignty and international law so the same would apply to Ontario game wardens.

[maxpower117]

Call a port of entry near the Rainy River and ask to speak to an officer familiar with this specific inland waterway. I'm not advocating that anyone should fish illegally in Canadian waters but their jurisdiction does end in Canada and does not include the United States. Border Patrol cannot legally enter Mexico to pursue a suspect since it violates Mexican sovereignty and international law so the same would apply to Ontario game wardens.

Same thing I explained above and I tested it. Never again though.

[harvey lee]

After talking with the US Customs and Border Patrol and the Ontario CBP here is what I wwas told.

US Custom and Border Patrol agent told me I should not cross the line to simply navigate from point a to point b without the proper paperwork ie-Canpass or Rabc.

Ontario I asked the same question and thier agent said I could cross the imaginary line as long as I did not touch the Ontario shoreline and beach the boat. He also said, no alochol can be in the boat and NO minnows.

So, as always, when I am up fishing, I will be staying on the US side as I always have minnows in the boat like more than likely all fisherman.

[harvey lee]

There is no imaginary "line" on the Rainy River as far a travel goes. It is a navigable waterway. Unless you set foot on Canadian soil, dock your boat on their side of the river or tie your craft to a Canadian vessel you are free to be wherever you want on the river without an I-68 or a canpass. You are still subject to Ontario game laws on their side of the river but they do not have the authority to chase you onto our half of the river if you decide to move your boat over a few inches towards the south. A lot of people spreading paranoia and misinformation here so relax on the river next month and feel free to drive your boats wherever you want to on the river. If you have a couple of fish in your livewell and no Ontario fishing license don't beach your boat on the canadian shoreline and take a nap and you'll be just fine.

As long as you do not have any minnows or booze in your boat. If you do, then you cannot cross the line. I think most all fisherman have minnows in the boat for jigging the springtime walleye bite.

[Wiskers]

I cant wait to get on that open river... been way too long for me.. If anyone is going soon and has room or wants company let me know..

As for the invisible line issue, I have always had an issue with it.. I can see no fishing or docking but navigating is ok.. beer or bait in the boat.. If you don't stop they should not bother you. But if they do, as long as you stop on the US side they can not deal with you... My .02 cents worth, if they want to enforce an invisible line they better mark it.. That's just real live in my book..

[CANOPY SAM]

For those of you who are not currently aware...

We are now experiencing yet another winter storm. This one is slated to drop over 6+ inches of snow in the Warroad/Baudette area, and will be accompanied by 25-40 mph winds.

Our coming week's forecast calls for temperatures to remain below freezing until at least next Saturday, and the weatherman out of Grand Forks, ND, stated he did not anticipate ANY significant melting of snow until at least the end of March.

It may be a pretty small window this year, but at least we'll be ice-fishing for a while yet!