Crossing the Border

The terrorist attack of 9/11 has resulted in much tighter security measures in Canada as well as the US. The following is offered as guidelines only.

DISCLAIMER:
This information has been pulled from several websites, but should not be considered the final authority regarding Canadian or US border crossings. Please contact the Canadian or US Immigration offices for specific and definitive information.

Identification:

Passports for travel by car are not specifically required until January 1, 2008. Until then you do need to bring proof of citizenship. Government issued IDs such as a birth certificate are required. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY your birth certificate. At minimum, this will raise red flags, and could get fraud and identity theft charges brought against you. Bring an original birth certificate with you; it should have the city's seal impressed into the paper, and possibly a watermark. US aliens are required to bring an Alien Registration Receipt Card as proof of residence. Naturalized citizens should bring their naturalization paperwork [just be sure to lock it up in a safe place while traveling in Canada]. As things stand right now, you'll want to be prepared [the boy scout motto] with as much identification as you can get. The last thing you want is to get stuck at a border crossing because you didn't bring enough ID. Have car registration papers ready for inspection, also.

Felony Convictions and DUIs:

You may be asked if you've been before a judge. What they're looking for here are felony convictions, DUI charges, and other major crimes, which will probably keep you from crossing the border. Minor traffic violations [speeding, parking, tailgating, etc] won't. If you have been convicted of a serious crime, regardless of how long ago it was, you'll need to fill out an application from Canadian Customs or a Canadian Consulate detailing such things as the crime, itself, your employment history, and proof that you attended rehab or something equivalent. The processing fee for this form is $150. There are different rules for different crimes and for how old the crime is. So if you have been convicted of a crime, contact Canada Immigration or your nearest Canadian Consulate. The United States State Dept website does state that "Section 19 of Canada's Immigration Act prohibits the admission of people who pose a threat to public health, safety, order, and national security. Prior to attempting a border crossing, American citizens who have had a criminal conviction in the past must contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance to determine their admissibility as visitors into Canada. If found inadmissible, an immigration officer will advise whether a waiver (Minister's Permit) is possible."

Taking Children into Canada:

You need to be at least 18 years of age to cross without consent from a parent[s] or legal guardian. If you are under that age, the legal adult that you are traveling with must have a signed letter of consent from your parents or legal guardian stating who the child is traveling with, how long they will be there, where they are going, etc. Dads taking their son or daughter fishing in Canada must have this letter from the child's mother. Customs on both sides of the border will ask for this letter. Customs may want to contact the parent back home as well.

What can you bring into Canada:

200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 7 ounces of tobacco for (Over 21)
1.1 liters of wine or liquor or 24 12-ounce bottles of beer (Over 21)
Gifts valued at no more than $60 CDN
Plants, bulbs, seeds fruits and vegetables must be declared at the border. But there are many restrictions. Bring canned fruit and vegetables (including potatoes) or plan on purchasing them in Canada.

Dogs and cats may be brought in provided that you have documentation from your licensed veterinarian accurately describing your animal and that it has had rabies vaccination in the past 36 months. Collar tags alone do not count. This same documentation must also be provided when returning through US Customs. Seeing eye dogs are allowed in without problems.

Minnows and leeches can not be taken into Canada. You may bring in night crawlers if they have been raised in buss bedding or newspaper. You are not allowed to transport dirt across the border. Night crawlers raised in dirt and transferred to newspaper or buss bedding will excrete dirt for some time. Border officers will confiscate the night crawlers if only a spec or two of dirt is noticeable. Don't start you trip on a negative note, plan on the extra cost and buy your bait in Canada. There are many reputable bait dealers that will sell leeches by the pound and night crawlers by the flat. Also remember resorts make a portion of their livelihood by selling bait and tackle items to their customers.

Radar Detectors:

Radar detectors are illegal in Canada. You may have issues if they are in the car even if they are turned off. The smart thing to do is to leave them at home.

Angle North Advice

Respect Canadian laws and rules and you will be treated with respect and a fishing experience you will remember forever. Try to cheat and you will be treated to an experience that you will forever try to forget.