Fishing in Canadian Waters of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River

[Baron49]

With all the problems locally with fishing in Canadian waters that border the USA, I called Canadian Customs at the CBSA (1-888-226-7277) to find out if the same rules apply and unfortunately they still do.

For those not familiar with the new laws that went into effect last year here on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.  If you are going to fish Canadian waters and are NOT going ashore, or setting out an anchor you must call the CBSA at 1-888-226-7277 once you enter Canadian waters to register your boat and occupants.  Failure to do so can cause you huge fines and possible impoundment of your boat.  If you are going ashore you must report to the nearest Canadian Customs Checkpoint for inspection before entering Canada.

Just a point to remember is this phone number is in Canada, and once you are in Canadian waters you will be roaming on Canadian cell towers.  If your cell phone company does not participate with these Canadian companies it can be a very expensive phone call.  I have been on hold well over 20 minutes at a time waiting for some one to answer the phone after they transfer your call to the nearest Canadian Customs Office.

[Mike Cork]

Thank you for the update Baron  I remember reading how folks were getting into serious trouble last year over these issues.

[Baron49]

Just trying to keep people from getting into trouble here on Lake Ontario and especially the St. Lawrence River.  The OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) do NOT mess around.  They are not polically correct and do not put up with things like American police have too.  You get into a pissing match with the OPP you will lose even if you think you are right.

[EricM]

Baron,
heading up to the thousand islands towards the end of the month for a fishing vacation.  curious,  when you make the call you mentioned to customs to register your boat,  do you also have to have a Canada fishing license?  how about a passport?  I am strictly speaking about fishing,  not anchoring or going ashore....

thanks
Eric

[Baron49]

If you plan on fishing in Canadian waters you MUST have a Canadian Fishing license.  If you are going to be in the 1000 Islands area you can go to the 1000 Island Bait Shop just south of the TI Bridge. They will go over the border and get your Canadian fishing license for you for an extra charge.  If you have a USA Passport you can cross over the 1000 Island bridge into Canada to Hill Island, on the right hand side just past Canadian Customs is Stafford's store and restaurant.  You can buy your Canadian fishing license there.  There are several different types available for nonresidents.

You do not need a passport for fish Canadian waters as long as you do NOT anchor or go to shore for any reason.  All that will be required is for you to call the CBSA at 1-888-226-7277 once you enter Canadian waters to register your boat and the passengers on it.

Make sure your boat is up to date on everything from registrations to life jackets and all the normal Coast Guard required gear.   We have the US Coast Guard, State Police, Sherriffs Office, and DEC Police on the US side patrolling the waters and on the Canadian side they have their Coast Guard and the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) any of these may stop your boat and do a full inspection.

If you are planning on fishing for Bass, NY's opener is the 3rd Saturday in June.  There is NO catch and release of bass allowed prior to the opening day in the 1000 Island area, Canada's Bass season opener  is the following week.  Don't get caught fishing bass out of season on the Canadian side or they could impound your boat.  Fish and Wildlife rules in Canada are much stricter then here in the USA.

[EricM]

thanks for the info....thinking I will just stay put in the good ole' USA and enjoy the fishing on our side of the house.....
thanks again

[MJGriff]

Baron,

Thanks for the information! This is vital info for anyone going to the Great Lakes regions!
I honestly belive my Dad and I probably would have gotten nailed for not doing the boat registration call-in. We've fished the St. Lawrence before, but it's been about ten years since we've been up there. I am pretty sure we wouldn't have even thought to call the CBSA because we didn't the last time we fished the St. Lawrence....so, when we go there again this September I am going to give you all the credit when we DON'T get fined!

Again---THANKS!
MJGriff~

PS: we both bought our Canadian Non-Res outdoors card and 8-day Conservation Fishing License online...it was so EASY and I would suggest to anyone that isn't actually going IN to or on Canada soil but plan on fishing Canadian water to do it this way.

[Baron49]

Glad to be of help.  It is sharing of information like this that makes fishing a lot more fun by being able to avoid the problems.  Have a great trip and hope you catch some good ones.

Baron

[MJGriff]

One more point of importance...while we were in Alex Bay, NY (during our Sept 2012 trip), we spoke with a US Border Patrol Supervisor at Keewaydin S.P. He informed us that not only did we need to call the CBSA before entering Canadian waters...BUT...we also needed to report to the video booth at the Alex Bay town dock upon re-entering the US side! He said that it's the law...although he knows some people fail to do so...but, if caught- fines DO follow!
So...just a heads up to all of you fishing shared waters! Ask the locals if this is indeed the policies in the area that you will be fishing and avoid a big fine and big headache!

[Baron49]

Interesting....will have to check this out further as nothing was published about needeing to do anything on returning to the USA.  The only rule that I was aware of is if you anchored or went ashore in Canada you had to report back to USA customs.

Will make some calls and verify this....thanks for the heads up.

Baron