“They were like kids in a candy store. They left the dock at just before 7am and were back by 8:30am just giggly.” This was an example of what happens when anglers who really love fishing the Ontario side of Lake of the Woods that borders the NW Angle get out after a long pause in something they cherish. The fish have been cooperative. After all, they haven’t been fished, for all practical purposes, for two years.
The reports across the board have been excellent. Big numbers of walleyes are the main draw. After all, this is The Walleye Capital of the World, and walleyes are the most sought after fish.
Muskie anglers have also reported seeing, catching and releasing good numbers of fish. Seeing 30-40 fish a day is not outside the realm of a day of chasing muskies.
Smallmouth bass and pike are also prevalent, just not targeted as much. For the avid bass anglers, there is no doubt with 14,552 islands, you would have an absolute ball along and probably catch your limit of walleyes accidently while targeting smallmouth.
Boating into Canada and not touching land. The rules to cross into Canada via boat are similar to before the border was restricted. If you boating into Canadian waters from America and don’t touch land, a dock, etc., you do not have to report into CBSA. Here is how the rule reads from the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) website.
You can now enter Canada for leisure and touring, including pleasure fishing, sightseeing and other discretionary purposes (known as loop movements).
However, you must:
- continuously remain on your boat while in Canadian waters
- not land in Canada
- not make contact with another boat
- not moor or anchor while in Canadian waters
If at any point, you land on Canadian soil, come in contact with another boat or drop anchor, you will be required to report to the CBSA and if you’re eligible to enter Canada, you will become subject to all entry requirements including pre-arrival testing and submitting your mandatory information into ArriveCAN. Travellers engaged in transit or loop movements are not required to report to the CBSA.
Here is how the rule reads from CBSA.
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents and French citizens and permanent residents of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon (SPM) are eligible to enter Canada by boat for discretionary purposes and can come on land, anchor, moor, or come alongside another vessel in Canada. However, they must:
- 1) be asymptomatic;
- 2) have a valid pre-arrival COVID-19 molecular test result taken in the U.S. for U.S. boaters, or in SPM for SPM boaters (antigen tests are not accepted)
- 3) submit their mandatory information via ArriveCAN, including proof of vaccination in English or French (both vaccination doses, if applicable), and a quarantine plan; and,
- 3) be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Fully vaccinated U.S. citizens and permanent residents must also:
- reside in the U.S.
- be travelling from the U.S.
Fishing the beautiful waters that are full of fish that border the NW Angle can be fishing nirvana. Contact your favorite NW Angle resort for fishing guides, lodging, questions and details.
Boating and fishing Canadian waters for Americans is now available again. So far, the fishing has been nothing but spectacular.
