CANPASS/ Remote Border Crossing Permit

[fisherguy09]

Hi guys,

I am sure this question has been asked before. Can a Remote Border Crossing Permit be purchased the same day at the Rainy River crossing in Baudette?

If so does anyone know the hours of business?

Thanks for the help!

[eskay]

Yep, you can get the passes right there.

The hours are (or were) a little odd. It was 8-4, closed Sunday and Monday, I think. Give them a call, they might have changed the hours. I checked once and asked them why they were closed on Monday, officer said it was because they were open on Sat.

[fisherguy09]

Thank you! I will give them a call today.

Figures on the closed Monday deal... I am heading up next Sunday night and wanted to be there first thing Monday. There is still a chance..

Thanks again!

[vman11]

Last spring we renewed in Rainy River on our way back from Sioux Narrows late on a Saturday night, had to be around 11PM. Renewal might be different from initial purchase, but even the first time setup wasn't very involved. As recommended, give them a call.

1 807-852-3341

[fisherguy09]

Update, just managed to get connected to the Rainy River crossing. The agent said that they are now able to process Remote Boarder Crossing Permits 24 hours a day. They said the process goes quick if you get the paperwork online and fill it out ahead of time.

[gizmoguy]

Just remember no fishing sturgeon on the Can side.

[slammer]

Do you need a passport to obtain?

[eskay]

Good to hear that they changed the hours. It was always a crap shoot as to whether I'd make the crossing by 4.

[srj]

Slammer, you do need a passport/passcard to cross the border.

[slammer]

Aware of the passport to cross into Canada. Do you need one to buy the permit?

[h8go4s]

If no passport, you will need a state issued birth certificate and a driver's license.

Details here:

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/rabc-pfre/menu-eng.html

[bucks-n-ducks]

With the RABC permit, if I fish the rainy and call in for that day, does that give me free rain on the whole river? or how does that work?

[computerboy]

With an RABC, you don't need to call into Canadian customs. That's the whole point of getting the RABC to begin with. However, all import rules and restrictions apply. Ontario fishing regulations also apply. The only thing the RABC allows you to do is cross into Canada over border waters without having to call into Canadian customs. You do not have free reign on the river. In fact, there are a lot of rules you need to be aware of.

For those of you thinking about getting an RABC permit, there's a lot you need to consider. I don't want to dissuade anyone from getting an RABC because they can come in very handy when the river is crawling with boats. But you do need to understand what you're getting yourself into or you could find yourself in very serious trouble. These are just a sampling of some of the rules and requirements for fishing the Canadian side of Rainy River when you are launching your boat from the US side. This doesn't cover everything, just some of the more common things that will end up costing you a lot of money if you are not in compliance:

- Ontario fishing license required

- Ontario outdoors card required

- Remote Area Border Crossing (aka "CANPASS") permit required

- No live bait

- No walleyes over 18"

- No sturgeon fishing

- No alcohol consumption or empty containers on board

- Canadian safety equipment required on board (manual bilge, floating rope, etc)

We have been checked by Canadian Conservation Officers every year we've been on the river. If you plan to fish the Canadian side, you should expect to be stopped at least once during your trip.

Good luck!

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

Just to clarify the above per the Transport Canada regulations you need not have all of the Canadian required safety equipment if you have a non Canadian licensed watercraft.

Safety Equipment Requirements

Foreign pleasure craft (pleasure craft that are licensed or registered in a country other than Canada) need to comply with equipment requirements of the country in which the vessel is usually kept.

peace