Canadian & US - Customs and Immigration Info - What to bring

Canada North Lodge

PO Box 279, Ear Falls Ontario P0V 1T0 - Your Host: Lance Densing

Phone: 800-890-7903

Welcome . .Looking for a Canada walleye fishing trip? A few reasons to consider Canada North Lodge: Superb fishing. Whether you are fishing Ontario walleye, fishing Ontario northern pike, fishing Ontario lake trout, or fishing Ontario smallmouth bass, you will find that our fishing will fulfill your dreams. We also offer Canadian portage trips, Canadian outpost fishing, and Canadian fly-in fishing. An American Plan - Canadian fishing lodge. Featuring fine dining, modern accommodations, excellent service, professional Canada fishing guide, and the finest in equipment. An all inclusive Canada fishing trip at an affordable price.

What to Bring and the Border Crossing

Some of the first questions asked by anyone that are considering a trip to Canada are as follow. What should I bring? What kind of fishing tackle? What about clearing Canadian Customs? In response to these questions I have put together a quick list covering the important issues.

Clearing Canadian Customs

Suggested Items Not to forget

Fishing Equipment

Metric Conversion Tables

Hunting, Guns and The Canadian Firearms Act

Fishing Tackle and Gear

See our Tackle page - go back to home using the home button.

Fishing Rods -We advise fishermen to bring along the rod and reels they feel comfortable with using. Casting & spinning are the most popular. Medium to light action rods are advised, they allow the best action and good hook setting ability. Ultra light is used but hook sets are more difficult but offer tons of action once the fish is hooked.

Reels – Regardless of the manufacturer or type of reel, always ensure that the reel has a good drag system that allow smooth release of the line throughout the range of the reels drag setting & allows for easy setting of the drag. If the reel has jerky or erratic release points or is difficult to set, consider the purchase of a new reel. The drag is the most important part. Our guests land big fish with light equipment but it always comes down to proper drag setting while fighting the fish.

Line & line test – 6# to 10# test seem to be the most popular,

8# is a good choice. For casting with larger lures some guests have a second rod equipped with 14# to 17# line. Once again, the drag setting is important, set the reel for the line test, the line must release before it reaches its breaking point. When BIG fish are hooked, set the drag back to allow for the strong immediate force these fish place on your line when they run and dive.

Fishing Lures – This could be a long list. We advise our guests to bring along the tackle they have and wait until they arrive to find out what the fish are hitting at the time. At the lodge we have a very good selection of the popular lures. You can spend countless $$$ on lures, trying to anticipate what the fish are hitting, only to have most of them remain in the tackle box unused. Various jig and bait rigs tipped with a minnow remain a very inexpensive, popular, and effective lure for our type of fishing. Spoons, spinner baits, and crank baits are also used, but that list is endless.

Other very important gear

Good raingear - Coat and Pants are a must, carry it with you every day regardless on how good the day may look. We remind our guests to have it when they arrive, it’s amazing how many don’t take us serious until the rain starts.

Sun Screen – buy the highest SPF rating available. Sun burns are serious and seem to happen all at once. Remember that while fishing the sun and the ultraviolet rays hit you three ways, direct sunlight, off the water, and off the boat. Add windburn to it and you can get fried quickly.

Long sleeve shirts and a good hat are also a must.

Quality polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from the constant sun and water glare. Being able to see into the water is a big advantage while fishing.

Camera & Film.

Prescription Drugs.

Warm jackets, long sleeve shirts, both summer and cool gear. Most days are warm but you can have the cool days too. Come prepared for either.

Car Insurance Policy – Check to make sure it is valid in Canada. Have it with you in case of an accident.

Check your own personal checklist.
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Canadian Custom Clearing Tips

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: With the increased security procedures since 911 it is important that everyone has proper identification when crossing the border. I highly suggest the you make sure that everyone in your party has in their possession a copy of their BIRTH CERTIFICATE or a valid VISA. If you are traveling with children other than you own be sure you obtain a written note from the parents stating their permission to be in your care and guardianship. The border crossing into Canada is flowing as well as ever but they may spot check or ask for proper ID. Drivers licenses and other ID could hold you up as they check for the validity of this information.

You can bring additional alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, but make sure to claim the actual amount. You will be charged duty and taxes, but it will still remain less expensive than if you purchased them in Canada. Whatever you do, don’t try to smuggle the additional amount across the border. It is not worth it.

If traveling with children other than immediate family, have a signed letter of permission from the children’s parents.

When clearing customs for entry into Canada, remember to answer the questions politely and precisely. Don’t try to be funny, cute or clever. They don’t appreciate improper attitudes that often lead to delays, when they decide to check you out in response to the answer to their questions.

Always be honest to their questions.

Customs is usually no problem once you answer their questions. They have a job to do and if asked to pull over and they check you, don’t feel like you are being singled out for some reason. They do periodic checks, and you never know when it could be you. Be cooperative and it should go smoothly and quickly.

If for some reason you have a problem that you feel should not have happened, please report it immediately upon arrival at Excellent Adventures. We report such incidents to the proper authorities for inquiry and will help to stop these incidents from happening to others.

Additional Customs Tips - Some important information may be repeated

Customs Information

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: With the increased security procedures since 911 it is important that everyone has proper identification when crossing the border. I highly suggest the you make sure that everyone in your party has in possesion a copy of their BIRTH CERTIFICATE or a valid VISA. If you are traveling with children other than you own be sure you obtain a written note from the parents stating their permission to be in your care and guardianship. The border crossing into Canada is flowing as well as ever but they may spot check or ask for proper ID. Drivers licenses and other ID could hold you up as they check for the validity of this information.

LIQUOR - Each person of legal drinking age is allowed to bring across one case of beer or one 40 oz. bottle of hard liquor without paying duty.

CIGARETTES - Each adult over the age of 16 may bring across one carton of cigarettes (200).

GROCERIES - Each person a allowed to bring a reasonable amount of groceries for their stay.

PETS - Cats and daps may enter with a written rabies vaccine certificate dated within the last 6 months.

HANDGUNS - Handguns are prohibited. Radar Detection equipment is illegal in Canada

AMMUNITION - Visitors to Canada may import 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting purposes free of duty and tours.

DUTY FREE SHOPS - Duty free shops are tax free stores in our area that waive federal and state tax. These may be used if you have not purchased the cigarettes or liquor that is allowed over the border.

OTHER INFORMATION - Seat belts must he worn at all times. Radar detection devices are illegal.

CREDIT CARDS - Most American credit cards and principal bank cards are honored in Canada, (VISA is most widely accepted in Canada).

HEALTH INSURANCE - It's recommended that visitors to Canada obtain traveler health insurance before leaving the U.S.- health plan's often do not extend coverage for services received outside the country of residence - Visitors may find they have either no health insurance or inadequate coverage when in Canada.

HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL SERVICES . Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent. but rates vary, so Traveler's health insurance is recommended. Visitors taking medicine prescribed by a doctor should bring a copy of the prescription in case it needs to be renewed.

Re-entering the U.S.
48 HOURS OR LESS - If you were is Canada for 48 hours or less, you may bring back $25.00 or less back to the U.S. duty free.
OVER 48 HOURS - If you can document your stay in Canada exceeded 48 hours, you may bring back $400,00 in purchases tax free.
TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL- - If you are eligible for the $400.00 exemption, you may bring back one carton of cigarettes or 200 cigars regardless of your age. If you are 21 years of age or older, you may bring back 1 litre (33.8 oz.) of alcoholic beverage, if it is for your own use or a gift.
WILDLIFE AND FISH - Fish may be imported according to the possession limits shown on your Canadian an fishing license. A patch of skin must be left on all fillets. Fish must be packaged flat (2 fillets per puck. age). Fish may not be transported by other than the licensee, even if the transporter has the fish and license of another.
All big game must he accompanied by a Canadian Export Permit.

Important Note: The information on this page will increase as time permits. Lot's more to come.

Hunting - Guns - The Canadian Firearms Act

Non Resident Hunters are required to register their guns before entering Canada.

Canadian Firearms Centre: A few years ago Canadian legislation passed making gun registration mandatory. This site contains all the information concerning the legislation and the process to registering a firearm.

Canadian Firearm Centre

US Visitors/Hunters Firearm Registration form - This legislation requires non-resident hunters to register their firearms when entering with a firearm. It requires filling out a form in triplicate prior to arrival at the border and paying the $50.00 fee. - do not sign the forms until the inspection officer requires the signature.

The Form - Canadian Firearms JUS 909E

Information Visitors to Canada

Common Metric Conversion Tables

Canada uses the Metric System. Visitors will find weather reports given in degrees Celsius, gasoline sold by the liters (milk and wine by milliliter, and liters), grocery items in grams and kilograms and clothing sizes to centimeters.

WEIGHT:
1 lb is 0 45 Kilograms 1 oz. is 28 grams
1 kilogram is 2.2 lb. 1 gram is 0.035 oz.

VOLUME
1 imperial gallon is 4.5 liters of 615 USA. gallon
1 liter - 0.22 gal.

DISTANCE
1 mile is 1.6 kilometers 1 km is 0.62 miles
1 inch is 2.54 centimeters 1 cm. is 0.39 inches

SPEED
25 km/h equals (approx.) 15 m.p.h.
40 km/h equals (approx.) 25 m.p.h.
50 km/h equals (approx.) 30 m.p.h.
60 km/h equals (approx.) 37 m.p.h.
80 km/h equals (approx.) 50 m.p.h.
100 km/h equals (approx.) 60 m.p.h.

TEMPERATURE Celsius to Fahrenheit C x 9/5 + 32 = Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit to Celsius °F - 32 x 5/9 = Celsius

Phone: 800-890-7903

E-mail -info@canada-north.com