fishing canada, customs issues

[ahartz]

I was told today that if I fish in Canadian waters as a US citizen and have not checked into customs I can be at risk of some sort of fine. It has always been my understanding that unless you anchor or otherwise "land" in canada, US citizens do not have to check into customs. So in my example I am float fishing in canadian waters, with proper canadian fishing license, do I need to land in canada and check into customs and then resume my fishing in and out of canadaian waters for the remainder of the day? Can anyone shed some light on this issue..andy

[UNCLE AL]

Ahartz,
I was wondering the same thing. I read about guys fishing the canadian side of the Detroit River. Do you need one of their licences? On Lake Michigan, you have to know where you are, so you're not in Minn. or Wisc. water, cause they'll bust you if you don't have one of their licenses. Let us know. Thanks.

[Fried Fillets]

Andy, your understanding still holds true. I was stopped by the O.P.P. on Saturday and they asked if I had the proper number of lifejackets and a Canadian fishing license, that's it. We were jigging the river when the O.P.P. stopped us. I'm not sure about the anchoring part, which doesn't make sense. Just because I throw out an anchor, I'm still at sea. Also, the O.P.P. were enforcing the 5mph speed limit between LSC and the end of Peche Island. Don't understand the need for the speed limit. Ahartz, I think I've answered your question too, you need a Canadian license.

[goosewa]

I believe you must call Canadian Customs when you do the following:

1. Anchor in Canadian Waters.
2. Beach your boat on any land in Canada
3. Or if you dock and gain entry to Canada.

I do not think this applies if you are drifting or trolling.

When you call into Customs it must be done from a Telephone on the Mainland of Canada. Not from a cell phone or a VHF Radio.

If you do not have a boat that has a Galley and Pump Out Head you will get a ticket for Alcoholic Beverages. The fine is somewhere around $150 and they will confiscate you boat until the fine is paid.

Canadian Waters is not the place to play around if you have been drinking or plan to drink. Drunk driving/boating is considered a felony in Canada. If you get popped they may not let you back into Country.

-Goosewa

[TheFlyfisher]

As far as I know the law is the same as it has been for the last 20 years.
" If you anchor or dock your boat in or on Canadian soil or water you must call customs as soon as you land or anchor and let them know you are there".
"If you are drifting or trolling you "do not" have to call.
Mike

[UNCLE AL]

what about the license, and where do they draw the line.

[Tattoo Mike]

So if your jigging and get snagged your anchored so call customs immediatly of face a $10,000 canadin fine, however don't get too frightened that's only $12.63 american right now. Seriously everything makes sense except the anchoring unless in was on dry land.

[Canadian Hunter]

You need a licence to fish on this side,, just like I need one to fish on your side! Doesnt matter where you put your boat in to a conservation officer,, matter's if you are fishing in theyre jurisdiction!

All police on this side are asking for lic's. Mnr being on strike several steelhead river's were being raped,, and the sportsman screamed at the politician's to get someone to enforce the law's! And a no lic.. is a huge cash cow,, believe it's $152 and possibly $50 a fish!

No booze in the boat, only with a head and sleeping quarter's and only have accessible when anchorred!

[Homer]

Like Mike, I agree with all of the regulations except calling Customs when you're anchored in the middle of the river. I'm not sure how much they enforce that one, though. We got checked by OPP when perch fishing Saturday, and the Customs question never came up.

[UNCLE AL]

Thanks for the info on the licenses. Too bad we can't all fish the same water in peace.

[Canadian Hunter]

From what ive seen,, they pretty much used to let the anchor issue go if you are out in the middle of the river fishing. And for that matter anchored on any of the lakes.

Just dont step on land, ive seen a few ticket's go to people who went to "sit in the bushes". Now if this happened to you, you know your buddies will never let you hear the end of it!!!

[ahartz]

thanks for all the replies. I am ok then. I have a full canadian license..50.00 or so US dollars. Worth it for walleye and musky fishing. and the line is drawn...ummm...along the international boundary as depicted on the chart. Plug the line in as a series of waypoints into the GPS, call it a route and you'll know where you are....andy