Canadian Wordoo's

[WallyObsession]

Was up last spring or late winter which ever it is. Saw alot of boats pulled over on the opposite shore. We stopped at a local bait shop in the morning and ask the guy were to fish. He told us about a few deep holes on the north side of the river and not to worry about the wardons. He said that they had no way of getting on the water from there side because of to much ice. Even if they are able just watch for a boat with a center console and black jackets. If you see this just hurry across to the MN. side they can't cross the center. Luckly we didn't listen. Is it true they can't cross over? What is the fine for being over there without a license or border pass with live bait fish over 18.1" and beer? Can't be very cheap. Any answers for a curious fisherman are welcome.

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Marble-Eyes - They're not for suckers!!!

[Sandee]

Being border waters, you can see both MNR and DNR and/or Immigration in a boat. Look at it this way - if YOU can get a boat into open water to fish, so can the authorities.

I am not sure what the particular amount of the fine is for non-license and a beer. I believe the over slot size is $175 - then there is the fine for each live minnow you have in your boat, fine for no RABC, if you didn't apply for one. I have heard a range of $100 up to $5000 - and they take VISA!!

If you plan to fish Ontario, be informed.

Thanks

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www.clementsonresort.com

[fiskyknut]

....But they don't take American Express!

[BDR]

Last I knew they could cross over as a chase and ours can go there. I think advising to "just hurry over" is very poor advise. How about do your hame work and get legal(about$50) to fish anywhere on the river. It is a very simple process and I do it every year. When your sitting on the river having a slow day the grass on the Canadien side always looks greener and very tempting. I get checked every year by Canadian CO's and immagration.

Brian

[Lund 18]

I wouldn't think about going on that the Canadian side with the things you had in your boat. I've been told it's $5.00 per live minnow, $90.00 per can of beer full or empty. You can have beer in the boat but the package the cans came in can not be open( 12pak box), if it is they will fine you. I don't no what the fine is for no Lisence or Border pass and I don't want to find out. There are plenty of fish on the US side if you don't want to pay the extra to roam the river. If you add up the investmant you have in all your equipment and time to go on this trip the extra dollars for the correct paper work is nothing. Good Luck

[WallyObsession]

We never did or wanted to cross the border. Thats just where the guy at the bait shop told us to go after we asked him for some spots to start fishing. It was or first time up for this early bite. A little scouting with or electronics and we were catching fish in the good old USA. Hopefully with a little higher water levels this year we'll be able to check out a little more of the water up river from the rapids.

[Guest]

I would follow the laws. In the Int'l. Falls paper this week "the court report" from Fort Frances listed a MN resident who pulled anchor and ran, they knew his name and issued what ever it is they do, probably where he ran to (he has cabin) I wouldn't want to have nervous stress he'll feel this spring to fish in his backyard. If your upstream from rapids you can check the access at Barwick thats where the canadian CO's ussually put in and it is also one of the more hazardous parts of that stretch of river. If I can help let me know, I know that stretch of river part way to Manitou real well. [email protected] SRR

[widetrack]

Randy,

I put in at Barwick last spring, and chatted with the MNR for quite a while. They were pretty darn nice fellows.

That stretch from Barwick to Sault rapids is a pretty scary stretch of water. I don't think I read more the a few feet of water the whole way down to the rapids... I ran most of the way with my 9.9 kicker after I bumped a rock not 200 yards from the dock!
Fishing was a blast in that area.

Any hints for safe travel from Barwick to Sault rapids would be much appreciated. It was a nail biting experiance with a glass boat and big motor.

Also are the Smallies in that stretch of water? It looks like small mouth heaven. If so what is a good time for them?

[This message has been edited by widetrack (edited 02-18-2004).]

[Cheers]

I beleve the fine for the Inl Falls poacher was $2500 Acording to the Fort Frances news paper his name was published and a warent was issued. With so many fish available in the river why bother being a criminal and getting labeled a poacher ?????

[Cheers]

I beleve the fine for the Inl Falls poacher was $2500 Acording to the Fort Frances news paper his name was published and a warent was issued. With so many fish available in the river why bother being a criminal and getting labeled a poacher ?????

[Guest]

I can relate to this..........three times over.......you think I would learn my lesson by now...........

Anyways, I got busted right in front of Wheeler's point a few years ago. We were trolling the shore line and the Canadian COs were pulling people over. They caught up with us, once we figured out what was going on and we did make an attempt to race back to the other side, but they caught us. We were not running from them, so they didn't get mad.

We had about 10 dozen shinners @ $4 each.
We had a case of beer @ $37 dollars for the initial fine, plus $1 dollar for every can.
We had 5 nice walleyes, only 2 over 18", we had to throw them back (thank GOD they all were alive).
We didn't have Ontario fishing license.
We didn't go through customs or have an RBC permit (remote crossing permit).
We illegally transferred alcoholic beverages accross the border.
We were drinking in the boat.

Well, we told them it was an honest mistake (which at that time, I thought it was). We explained to them that we were under the impression that the water was free access from shoreline to shoreline, as it is in State boundry waters. They explained to us how we were wrong and corrected us. They beleived us as we were very appologetic.

We could of been hit with a $5,000 fine, plus the boat would of been taken away until we would of paid in full, either credit card or cash.

They let us off with just fishing Ontario waters without a license.

There were two wardens ( a young guy and an old guy). The young one wanted to hang us from a rope, calling my buddies Ranger, his "vessel", as they drove our boat from canadian water to canadian shore. They made us get out of the boat, while they did a search for firearms.

The older guy felt bad for us and I think he realized we made an honest mistake and told us to release the walleyes and go home. The younger CO didn't like that, so they discussed it a bit and then ended up giving us the fines for not fishing with a license.

By the way, I did get caught by a Canadian CO up at the Angle Inlet for crossing without a daily border pass. We were drinking beer. He just wanted to make sure we had life jackets and told us to have fun!!!!!!!!!! (I had to move my can of beer to open the live well). He didn't care, just wanted to make sure we were safe and having a good time. We BS'd for a bit and he said have a great time!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!

The 3rd time was again on the Rainy. This time, we were right in the middle of the river, and the Canucks came up to us. They identified themselves and asked to board our "vessel", low and behold, just at that time, hear comes good old American Minnesota DNR boys. They came up to the other side of the boat (about 10 feet away). The canuks asked us if we were catching fish and told us to have a nice day. The MNDNR came up to us and the canucks left immediately. The MNDNR told us not get a little closer to our shores. We all smiled, as the canucks went up river, and the MNDNR followed. It seemed as though the MNDNR was making sure the Canucks were harrassing anyone?!?!?!

Point is, don't cross the border. The fish ain't worth it.

Don't worry about the fines for fishing, worry about crossing the border without going through customs. That in itself can get you in HUGE trouble. Especially when crossing back into Minnesota. You could be looking at $5,000 just for coming back into Minnesota plus jail time of up to 5 years (note that this is a federal crime). As I was once informed at the Int'l falls crossing, as one of our party members ran back accross the bridge from his truck, as he forgot to give us a beer receipt from the Duty Free station. The US border guard stopped him in his tracks and asked him if he wanted to pay his fine now or when he gets out of jail in 5 years (that will stop you in your tracks).

We explained, and all was good..........

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Let 'em go so they can grow!!!

[This message has been edited by Big G- (edited 02-23-2004).]

[Guest]

How about running on the Canadian side while negotiating past a crowd of boats? Anybody ever been pinched for that?

Won't be long now!!!!!

[BGFlyer]

Drizz- you ask a fine question. I've been told the whole river is considered "navigable waters" and you are ok as long as you aren't stopped/fishing. Running back upstream on the Can side and then drifting back down was very common 10 years ago or so. Seems less common now as the "Lund Cowboys" seem to prefer the slolom course. (another issue) Would like to know for sure the law on travelling the Can side.

[BDR]

Drizz nd BGflyer- I was told (from can. customs guy) "the border is the border, It doesn't matter why you cross you need the Remote border crossing permit".

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Will fish for work
Brian Rogers

[Guest]

Can anybody tell me what the process is if a person wants to fish both sides of the river? What steps must a person take?

Thanks, Luke Glime

[Sandee]

You need a RABC (Remote Area Border Crossing) pass and an Ontario fishing license. The RABC can be obtained on-line from immigration and fishing license can be purchased in Ontario.

I have links on our web site on the spring page. There are alot of different rules and regulations and I highly suggest you to read them all. Sample: bait, limits, length, boat equipment are some of the differences. Fines are high and they take Visa, our advice "Be Informed"

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