Anyone cross the border into Canada lately ???

Whatever…

haleysgold, two years ago in Canada, my partner and I caught 207 walleyes in 2 1/2 days. That’s the best reason I know for going to Canada!!!

bigstorm wrote:

I have been reading the responses here and have tried to figure out a response, and if I should respond at all.

First off, where I and a few of my family/friends have been going to in Canada for a long time, I highly doubt anyone could put a week of fishing together resulting in the number of walleyes and northern we catch anywhere in the upper midwest or the US for that matter. That makes it well worth the drive and costs (no guides for us and we bring our own food/gas/bait for the most part)

There are some that have come up with us in the past that are not getting vaccinated and they understand they cannot go back at this time. They also understand that them not going is not keeping the rest of us from going to Canada.

Bottom line is that everyone has their choice and you have to understand the impacts of that choice. Everyone is free to make their own choice but should also respect everyone else’s choice without pushing your choice on someone else (not saying that is happening here, just making a statement). That is the beauty of our country

Our group is planning on crossing in just over a week and we cant wait to get back up there

Could not have said it any better myself. This is exactly the same way as i feel about the whole subject !!!!

Why would them not going keep you and others from going lol. That sounds like a lesson learned in pre k

Been going to N Manitoba every other year since 2002… until covid. It is their rules and if they want to mandate the shots (only 2, makes no sense scientifically if boosters work ?) that is their right. It is up to each individual to make their own informed decisions. I weigh great fishing and fun against possible future medical issues, such as Myocarditis and have chosen to fish in the US and the Carribean for now. I do hope they loosen up and realize, this is just another virus (manmade) and not the death threat it was originally made out to be. Until then, enjoy life everyday, no matter where you are fishing !!!

I wonder if Canadians (or any other non-US citizens) have these same discussions when they talk about coming into the US, considering the US requires them to be vaccinated AND show proof of negative test or recent recovery of covid.

blank wrote:

I wonder if Canadians (or any other non-US citizens) have these same discussions when they talk about coming into the US, considering the US requires them to be vaccinated AND show proof of negative test or recent recovery of covid.

I’m sure there are people on both sides of the Fence in Canada and all other countries as well. It all comes down to each country can set their own rules, and travelers can choose to follow them or not.

tswoboda wrote:

Sounds like a blast. Where are you staying?

We stay at the Campground on Reed lake itself. Great campground and nice landing. The only problem is no electric or running water. The solar heated shower doesn’t get very warm. Makes for few and quick showers. The lack of Gas nearby also presents a few challenges. Well worth it to me for all the great fishing.

fishthumper wrote:

We stay at the Campground on Reed lake itself. Great campground and nice landing. The only problem is no electric or running water. The solar heated shower doesn’t get very warm. Makes for few and quick showers. The lack of Gas nearby also presents a few challenges. Well worth it to me for all the great fishing.

Gotcha, I was going to suggest you call your resort with questions but that’s not really an option. I had friends that were nervous or had questions about the border crossing so we called our resort host and they were a huge help with putting everyone at ease.

Also just a heads up since you’re camping – you need to provide a physical address in the ArriveCan App. I had issues last summer where the App wouldn’t accept national park campgrounds as a location so I just used a random hotel in the area… something to look into if you haven’t already.

tswoboda wrote:

Also just a heads up since you’re camping – you need to provide a physical address in the ArriveCan App. I had issues last summer where the App wouldn’t accept national park campgrounds as a location so I just used a random hotel in the area… something to look into if you haven’t already.

Very good head’s up because this will affect us.

tswoboda wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
We stay at the Campground on Reed lake itself. Great campground and nice landing. The only problem is no electric or running water. The solar heated shower doesn’t get very warm. Makes for few and quick showers. The lack of Gas nearby also presents a few challenges. Well worth it to me for all the great fishing.

Gotcha, I was going to suggest you call your resort with questions but that’s not really an option. I had friends that were nervous or had questions about the border crossing so we called our resort host and they were a huge help with putting everyone at ease.

Also just a heads up since you’re camping – you need to provide a physical address in the ArriveCan App. I had issues last summer where the App wouldn’t accept national park campgrounds as a location so I just used a random hotel in the area… something to look into if you haven’t already.

Thanks for the heads up. We are doing the ArriveCan. app. tomorrow. Never gave that one any thought.

When I first tried to do the ArriveCan app at the end of April it asked me for an address, but none of the other people who we traveled with were asked for one. Then I tried it again and it didn’t ask, so I don’t know what the deal with that it. But that’s still a good mention by TSwaboda to keep in mind.

Why would you go all the way to Canada and ‘put up with all this BS’ at the border?

Easy, the fishing is in a different league than MN. Anyone suggesting otherwise is just kidding themselves. Isn’t it something like 1% of MN lakes have naturally spawning walleye populations? And you’re suggesting you can have the same fishing experience here? There are 250,000 lakes in Ontario, many of which are connected through vast river systems with nearly infinite spawning habitat, SIGNIFICANTLY less human development or pressure, and are often much more approachable lakes from a size/wind perspective.

I just got back from a canada trip to the Red Lake system, group of 5, 13 pike over 40″(43″ the biggest), 30+ walleye over 20″(29.5″ the biggest). This winter we caught a 45.75″ and 43.5″ pike, and our 2nd day we AVERAGED 40″ for length on pike.

That doesn’t exist in MN.

And the cost is not that much more, my last trip was all in $1000. That’s 7 nights lodging, gas, food, etc towing my Ranger Reata from St. Paul to Red Lake, ON.

Forgot to mention, one of my buddies did get popped for a random test this winter. He took it at the fishing resort, took about 10 minutes, and then a courier came by and picked it up the next day while we were fishing.

Was he a bit annoyed? Sure. I’ll ask him if that 10 minute inconvenience ruined his trip, I think his 45.75″ pike may have evened out the scales though lol.

This past trip we had a 15 minute flurry where we caught a 40″ pike, a 29.5″ walleye, and then a 41″ pike. We had 40 pike over 36″, caught walleyes at will, and honestly didn’t really try that hard. I think if you gave me two days to catch ONE 36″ pike in MN on any lake of my choice in late May, I’d probably struggle. We were shaking the mid-30s fish off at the side of the boat after a day or two so we could try to get a big one lol.

12 year old in our group caught the 43 incher, lodge owner said, ‘Dang, I’m sorry, maybe next time you’ll get a big one” hahaha.

I don’t think anyone was suggesting that the fishing was as good here in MN that it is in Canada. I certainly wasn’t.

Pike fishing is certainly a lot better, no one would even remotely argue that. We have such a problem here with a lack of trophy size pike and an abundance of smaller annoying ones that its not even on the same wave length now.

We caused this problem with over harvest of large pike though, so there’s no one to blame but us.

Sounds like some people will do almost anything for easy fishing and larger fish.
Have fun.

blank wrote:

When I first tried to do the ArriveCan app at the end of April it asked me for an address, but none of the other people who we traveled with were asked for one. Then I tried it again and it didn’t ask, so I don’t know what the deal with that it. But that’s still a good mention by TSwaboda to keep in mind.

Oh that’s great news! I know the App is constantly updated so hopefully the address part has been nixed.

gim wrote:

I don’t think anyone was suggesting that the fishing was as good here in MN that it is in Canada. I certainly wasn’t.

Pike fishing is certainly a lot better, no one would even remotely argue that. We have such a problem here with a lack of trophy size pike and an abundance of smaller annoying ones that its not even on the same wave length now.

We caused this problem with over harvest of large pike though, so there’s no one to blame but us.

Overharvest of large pike is just one of the issues with a lack of Big Pike here in Minnesota. Overall fishing pressure is probably a bigger part. Most pike in Minnesota Waters probably have a lure pass by them several times a week. I would guess a lot of these pike in Canadian waters are lucky if they have a lure pass by them more than a few times in a year. I’m not sure why or when we have had a over harvest of Large Pike here in Minnesota. It must have been a long time ago. I’m nearing 60 and I can’t even remember a time there were large Pike being caught in #’s. Even when I was young a 10 Lb. pike was a Big one. I’m not saying it didn’t happen – Just not sure when that would have been.

fishthumper wrote:

Overharvest of large pike is just one of the issues with a lack of Big Pike here in Minnesota. Overall fishing pressure is probably a bigger part. Most pike in Minnesota Waters probably have a lure pass by them several times a week. I would guess a lot of these pike in Canadian waters are lucky if they have a lure pass by them more than a few times in a year. I’m not sure why or when we have had a over harvest of Large Pike here in Minnesota. It must have been a long time ago. I’m nearing 60 and I can’t even remember a time there were large Pike being caught in #’s. Even when I was young a 10 Lb. pike was a Big one. I’m not saying it didn’t happen – Just not sure when that would have been.

Angling pressure is certainly a part of it. I don’t want to get off topic and into a discussion about our pike populations in this thread though. I can assure you there was over harvest of large pike here for a LONG time. I personally know people who regularly kept 15 pounders for years, and still do when they catch or spear one.

gim wrote:

I personally know people who regularly kept 15 pounders for years, and still do when they catch or spear one.

There is a lake in the LOngville Area that is known for big pike by the locals and I talked to a guy with a spearhouse. He was bragging about all the 40 plus inchers he speared out of there. They have since dramatically changed the restrictions to hopefully get it back to its old glory.

CaptainMusky wrote:

There is a lake in the LOngville Area that is known for big pike by the locals and I talked to a guy with a spearhouse. He was bragging about all the 40 plus inchers he speared out of there. They have since dramatically changed the restrictions to hopefully get it back to its old glory.

Spearing is just one of the reasons. Most guys that still do it are only in it to spear Bigfoot. Luckily its a bit of a dying breed.

gim wrote:

I don’t think anyone was suggesting that the fishing was as good here in MN that it is in Canada. I certainly wasn’t.

Sorry, that wasn’t targeted at you! One guy said on the last page “I don’t know why I’d drive 15 hours, pay way more, when I can have the same experience in MN.”

I tried to quote but was having issues. So yeah, I interpreted ‘Same experience’ as you know, having the same fishing experience.

suzuki wrote:

Sounds like some people will do almost anything for easy fishing and larger fish.
Have fun.

Uhhhh, yeah? LOL! “Do almost anything”? No one’s out here giving ZJ’s behind the local Wendy’s to scrounge up enough cash to go to Canada.

I’m paying the same amount, taking the same amount of vacation days, and the only difference is my travel days to Canada is 9 hour drive instead of my travel day to LOTW which is 5. Which amounts to….like no difference whatsoever for me. I crack my first fishing vacation beer at 5PM instead of 1PM. I fish the same amount, I just catch way more fish, bigger fish, spend more time on the water, see far fewer boats, and generally have a way more enjoyable time.

So if, ‘drive an extra 4 hours’ falls into the ‘do almost anything’ category for you, I guess you’re right? Every person in the history of the world that is passionate about a hobby travels to enjoy said hobby.

I can’t believe you flew to California to play Pebble Beach when you could have got a tee time at Oak Marsh for way cheaper! I can’t believe you would go to the Everglades to photograph birds when there are so many Canadian Geese ,Mallards, and robins right here at the local pond! Man, these bikers will do almost anything to have a big rally instead of just meeting their local biker club in Delano. These hikers will ‘do almost anything’ to find a big mountain to walk up, do you know they travel all the way to Yosemite or Mount Rainier, haven’t they ever heard of Lutsen? hahahahahha.

You do sound like a lot of fun, but you’re statement is basically, ‘wow, sounds like people will travel to do something they really enjoy.’ Uhh, yeah man, you should try it! I don’t know if you watch the IDO fishing show, if not, spoiler alert, they travel all over the place to find good fishing! Weird!

And where do you like to fish? Do you waste a ton of time and money driving ALL THE WAY to the st. croix river when you could just fish Powers Lake right in the Woodbury city limits?

gim wrote:

Pike fishing is certainly a lot better, no one would even remotely argue that. We have such a problem here with a lack of trophy size pike and an abundance of smaller annoying ones that its not even on the same wave length now.

We caused this problem with over harvest of large pike though, so there’s no one to blame but us.

Agreed. There’s just way more pressure here and the lake makeup just isn’t as conducive to growing/maintaining large pike. A few lakes have the potential, but they just have so much pressure. There are only like 230k people that live in NW ontario, that’s like a few people per lake lol. MN has 5.6 million people, and ~11,000 lakes to spread between them?

I think another contributor to really big pike is forage. A LOT of lakes up in Canada with very large and healthy cisco and whitefish populations. Pike and walleye grow BIG and FAT on those fish, but there’s much fewer lakes like that in MN. And some that used to be seem to have dwindling populations (Mille Lacs).

If you love walleye and pike fishing, you really ought to give a Canada trip a try. Happy to give some lodge recommendations to anyone interested, those resort owners could definitely use the business after the last couple of years! And again, I think you’d be really surprised at how affordable it can be to do a drive-in trip!

ZJ’s, hahaha. I already know I can’t afford it, big guy.

blank wrote:

ZJ’s, hahaha. I already know I can’t afford it, big guy.

Well move along then, we have trips to finance

blank wrote:

ZJ’s, hahaha. I already know I can’t afford it, big guy.

LOL, I didn’t mention it before, but I also spend some time in the local lab jer…*ahem* ‘researching’ Frogs.

blank wrote:

I wonder if Canadians (or any other non-US citizens) have these same discussions when they talk about coming into the US, considering the US requires them to be vaccinated AND show proof of negative test or recent recovery of covid.

Lots. And lots providing fake vax certificates to us customs trying to get across. It’s 7000 fine per person and mandatory 2 week quarantine once they are escorted back to the cdn side.

suzuki wrote:

Sounds like some people will do almost anything for easy fishing and larger fish.
Have fun.

Do you own a boat, a Motor, any electronics????

Justin Donson wrote:

13 pike over 40″(43″ the biggest), 30+ walleye over 20″(29.5″ the biggest). This winter we caught a 45.75″ and 43.5″ pike, and our 2nd day we AVERAGED 40″ for length on pike.

That doesn’t exist in MN.

That does exist in MN, it’s just super rare, right place at the right time type deal. I’ve had 18 northern over 36″ (biggest 44″) in one morning, 30+ walleye over 20″ isn’t that uncommon on Rainy in April or Mille Lacs back during the hey day or other special bites that can be had in MN today. IMO you are paying for that almost being guaranteed in Canada, whereas it’s a once in a blue moon occurrence in MN.

BigWerm wrote:

That does exist in MN, it’s just super rare, right place at the right time type deal.

I agree, its just much rarer here than in Canada. Comparing Rainy or Vermilion or Lake of the Woods or another big northern lake to Canadian fishing is reasonable. Many of them are geographically close to the border and have healthy populations of sizable fish. There’s generally just more fishing pressure.

If you start comparing places in the southern half of the state to Canadian fishing, its not really even on the same wave length. A large pike 35+ inches is like trying to catch bigfoot in the southern half of the state. I catch more muskies than pike of that size every season even though I catch 100+ pike/season (all by accident, do not target them).