Family fishing trip starting this Saturday on Rainy. This is our second trip, first was Memorial Day. What is the process to obtain a border crossing permit & Canadian licenses so we can cross via boat to fish Redgut? Is there a customs station on the water much like up in the NW Angle on LOTW? Thanks for the help. 
To purchase a RABC (remote area border crossing permit) you will have to go in person to the canadian customs office in Fort Francis to get that permit, then head to a bait shop to get your Ontario license. This permit is valid for 1 calendar year. 
Do you have an Ontario Outdoors Card? You will need one for your license.
There are a number of options available for you.
First you can simply apply for a RABC card online and have it sent back to you. Since your trip is coming up shortly this likely will not be your best option. Second would be to drive across the border to the Canadian customs office and get your RABC card in person then drive to say Rainy Lake Sports in Fort Frances to get your fishing license.
The 3rd option would be to check in with your boat right at Rainy Lake Sports and be checked in daily in which you would avoid having to have a RABC card if your fishing the North Arm as you and your boat would be cleared on a daily basis.
Welcome to IDO by the way! 
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Family fishing trip starting this Saturday on Rainy. This is our second trip, first was Memorial Day. What is the process to obtain a border crossing permit & Canadian licenses so we can cross via boat to fish Redgut? Is there a customs station on the water much like up in the NW Angle on LOTW? Thanks for the help.
I walked across the bridge to Canadian customs and got my border pass. Then across the street for the license. Then back across the bridge.
Walking will save you a wait in line to drive across and also the $6.00 they charge. (I think it was $6)
Good Point Brian!! Heck that $6.00 will be needed for minnows on the Canadian side….Might get you 12 little fellas. 
Thank you all for the help. We all have passports and the magic green cards, need the current license. I am thinking this is two or three days max out of 7 so the on the water daily check in may be the easiest.
The boys and I are going to go chase a few memories up in Red Gut.
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Thank you all for the help. We all have passports and the magic green cards, need the current license. I am thinking this is two or three days max out of 7 so the on the water daily check in may be the easiest.
The boys and I are going to go chase a few memories up in Red Gut.
Atta Boy!! Good Luck!!
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Thank you all for the help. We all have passports and the magic green cards, need the current license. I am thinking this is two or three days max out of 7 so the on the water daily check in may be the easiest.
The boys and I are going to go chase a few memories up in Red Gut.
You say boys, so I assume under 18yo. Since I know you need a notorized paper for crossing the border with kids in a vehicle, maybe somebody else can clarify if you need the same when on the water with them. I would assume you would need it unless your wife is also along whenever crossing the border in the boat?
Anybody know for sure?
Just trying to save ya any headaches to mess up a fun trip.
Very good point. I would say YES definately if either parent of the kids under 18 is not in the boat you will want a note giving you authorization to take them out of the country. We’ve always used a simple note, and haven’t had it notarized.
If you have your Ontario Sportsman card simply call the number on the back to get your lisense. They send it out the same day.
Chris- Correct me if I am wrong here. When we used to go to the Quetico we would purchase a conservation license for fishing Canada. It saved you a little $$$ if you will only be there a few days. Does limit the amount of fish you can keep. But was never an issue for us.
Good luck- and welcome to IDA
John
Yes. They still offer a conservation license for anglers looking to limit their catch and save a few bucks.
We had a great week on Rainy, only ran to Red Gut 1 day, did the check in at Fort Francis it was a piece of cake. Thanks to all for the advice on how to do that.
Certainly for the future I would have my act together and get the required stuff via the mail as it would save time and of course gas. This was a fun adventure however and we got to go on a nice boat ride on a great day and see some neat parts of the lake.
As noted the hatch was on big time, we still caught some nice fish. We spent some time reef hopping and catching (& releasing) big ‘eye’s that evidently were too dumb to eat bugs. My 13 year old nailed a 27″ the biggest of the trip boy was he fired up!
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