Going to Canada: Things to know before you go!

Here are something’s to consider if you are thinking about going to the Ontario side of Rainy Lake. Less than five percent of our guests take their houseboats to Ontario. Twenty percent of our guests purchase Ontario fishing licenses for their trip and travel from their Minnesota mooring site to Ontario to fish. Fishing is superb on both sides of the border. Rainy Lake is simply one of the most beautiful places in the world. If scenery is your objective the Minnesotawaters will meet all your needs. The Minnesota section is Voyageurs National Park, a totally undeveloped wildernessmecca located on the Minnesota/ Ontario border.

If you elect to go to Ontario we make things as easy as possible. You have two choices in the way in which you visit the Ontario side of Rainy Lake. You can take your houseboat and moor to the Ontario shore or you can travel fromMinnesota to the Ontario side of the lake and return back to your houseboat in Minnesota. Rainy Lake is five miles wide at its widest point, most of the time less than four miles wide so travel to and from is quite easy. If you have done theOntario side of the lake; upon your return to Rainy Lake Houseboats you must report via video phone or stop prior to the beginning of your trip at United States Customs in International falls and pick up an I-68 permit that allows you to report in by telephone at the completion of your trip.

There are three requirements for staying in Ontario waters or parking on crown land (federal owned land in Ontario). You will need a Remote Area Border Crossing Permit (RABC), an Ontario fishing license, and a crown land camping permit (one each day for each adult over 18). There are only two requirements if you only wish to fish in Ontario waters, a RABC and an Ontario fishing license You can send your license information and if needed the number the number of crown land camping tags you will need for your stay. We will get them ahead of time and have them waiting for you upon arrival. The Remote Area Border crossing Permit must be applied for by mail. A family needs one permit (husband, wife, and children under eighteen can be included on your permit). It is highly recommended to mail your RABC application six weeks prior to your arrival time. Fishing license and camping tag info needs to be received by our office two weeks prior to your arrival.

The RABC application needs to be mailed to the Canadian address on the form not Rainy Lake Houseboats. TheCanada website for the RABC application is http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pdf/pub/CANPASS.PDF

Important things to know for admittance to Canada!

If you are going to enter Canada for any reason, not just Rainy Lake Houseboat vacations know the laws that allow and disallow entry. This website may help you determine admissibility http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/inadmissibility.html

No passport is required in 2007 for United States citizens.
If entering by car expect to have all passengers surrender their driver license for a background check.
You can be denied entry if a felony or lesser crime is found in your background check. Driving under the Influence of Alcohol charges make you inadmissible to Canada. Other non felony charges such as assault, domestic assault, theft, can be reasons for denial of entry. Even though you may have a vacation booked and a down payment made you will be denied entry.
The same background checks are made for the Remote Area Border Crossing Permit. However you will know in advance if you have been given admission as the permits are mailed back to you before you go. RABC’s allow you to enter Canada in remote regions that have no checkpoints.
You do not need an RABC on Rainy Lake if Ontario is not your destination. The majority of our guests use theMinnesota portion of Rainy Lake.

I hope this answers some of the questions you may have. If you have further questions you can reach us at 1-218-286-5391 or email at info@rainylakehouseboats.com