Border Crossing Information
What you are allowed to bring into Canada:
You are allowed, per person, 1 litre (32oz) of alcohol or 1 case of 24 beer, 1 carton of cigarettes, a reasonable amount of food for the number people vacationing, along with personal clothing and fishing equipment.
What you are not allowed to bring into Canada:
You cannot bring into the country live bait in water, worms packed in earth, hand guns and unregistered firearms or mace and pepper spray. Vegetables grown in your garden will be allowed if there is no visible sign of dirt. All fruits and vegetables are to be in the packages they came in from the store. (potatoes in the bag)
DUI Charges and Other Issues:
Our Canadian Immigration and Visitor regulations restrict persons with convictions that would be considered criminal charges in Canada to enter Canada. If you have had a DUI (driving under the influence) charge against you, and if it shows up on your records in the US (which can be accessed by our Customs & Immigration officers through co-operative agreements between the US and Canada) then you may be denied entry to Canada. Random checks are common. Changes to these restrictions have been made. A person with a one time offence that did not result in jail time is now allowed entry to Canada, with no application or fees.
We suggest you communicate with a Canadian Immigration office prior to your planned trip if you have a criminal record.
Alcohol in the Car or Boat:
DO NOT BRING OPEN ALCOHOL IN THE BOAT or DRIVE THE BOAT WITH ALCOHOL IN YOUR SYSTEM: Ontario has the most strict alcohol laws in North America. If you are driving the boat and you are over .08% or have open alcohol in the boat, you will be arrested. It’s a minimum $1000 fine, criminal record and a lifetime offender registration. Your driver’s license will be taken away (right then and there) for 15 months automatically. Other states and provinces will honor these charges. Between .05% and .08% is a 3-day license suspension and a $150 fine. ZERO OPEN ALCOHOL IN YOUR BOAT OR IN YOUR BLOOD !!!!
A police officer from the Ontario Provincial Police and a game warden from the Ministry of Natural Resources do fly into remote lakes and taxi right up to your boat to check for any illegal activity whether it’s drinking in the boat or being over your fish limits. These guys are very very serious and do not show any compassion. You have been warned.
Lets all have tons of fun, catch lots of fish but save your drinking for around the campfire.
Green Wilderness Lodge
My brother Russ owns a fishing and hunting lodge near Gogama, Ontario, which is a 6-hour drive north of Toronto.
Green Wilderness Lodge has outstanding fishing for Walleye and Northern Pike. They offer fantastic hunting for Black Bear, Moose and Grouse.
Offering both American Plan (meals) and housekeeping accommodations in clean and comfortable lakefront cabins, Green Wilderness lodge recently renovated their interiors adding beautiful pine walls and many other upgrades.
Interested in more about Green Wilderness Lodge? Click here to visit their website.