Border Crossing

[Lonnie Jensen]

I have been to Canada many times fishing and never had a bit of trouble crossing the border. We cross at International Falls. Now I am hearing horror stories about people being hassled over nothing and that things are drastically different than even a year ago. Is this true? I was planning three trips next summer and my first trip was with a buddy who had a DWI 27 years ago, sober ever since, only a speeding ticket since then. Now I am hearing even he would likely not be allowed into Canada. Is this true or not??? Is there anything being done to remedy the siuation or is this just how it is going to be??? Thanks for your feedback about this.

Thank You, Lonnie

[Esox Masq]

The main issue is getting back here, My wife works in Windsor two days a week, and has to have 1) a birth certificate 2) a social security card 3)a drivers lisence to get back into the country. A passport will also work as a form of ID, but not required.

[Frank Walsh]

Lonnie,

There have been no major changes in policy, but in the wake of the September 11th issue, you cannot have too many pieces of "photo" identification with you to streamline your border crossing on both sides.

The DWI issue has been around for years, and crops up randomly.
Yes, your buddy can be refused entry. You cannot predict if and when it may surface, but can be remedied in advance through your closest Canadian consulate or Embassy. Call(202)682-1740 or
http://www.cdnemb-washdc.org

I would get resolved once and for all.
There is also a movement afoot by NOTO, to have the Canadian Government reduce their position on this. Check out the "Eh Canada"
section of Walleye Central" for more on this.

Hope this helps,

Frank Walsh

[Frank Walsh]

The link from here does not work. It comes from the Canada-Consular Information Sheet: http://www.travel.state.gov/canada.html
Page 1.

[Dan Klis]

Hi,

A touchy situation. My friends and I travel across the border (Sprague, Rainy River and International Falls) nearly everyweekend from ice out to ice up. I did see some people get turned around because of DUI or DWI (never really understood the difference) but as Frank says this has been going on for years. I can remember losing guide trips in the late eighties because some of my clients were sent back.

I know that many resorts on the Canadian side have been losing business and are very upset with this. I am not sure if Frank mentioned it but there is a pardon system in place. I am not sure of how it works.

I really did not see any changes since September 11, in fact a few times it was very quick and painless. One thing to remember is that it is their country and it is a privilage to fish in Canada and not a right. They have the right not to allow anyone they wish to cross there border. It is just a fact of life.

Good Luck

Dan

[Dan Collins]

Lonnie: I have crossed at International Falls twice since Sept. 11. Both times were quick. No searches, etc. Make sure you have proper ID. I have been told that if they find out someone has a past DWI, they make them fill out papers and charge a fee to get in, but I don't think they flat out refuse to let the person in. There also is a method of permanently taking care of a DWI, but you would need to contact the customs people about that. Don't cancel a trip to Canada over fears about the border. Dan

[Frank Walsh]

Yes they can, and sometimes do, refuse entry because of a DWI.
The older it is the less chance of a problem. A recent one may keep you out no matter what you do. As I said above. you may not encounter a problem, but the only way to be 100% sure, is to take care of it in advance.

[Guam Bomb]

Frank,

Is this for DWIs in Canada or the US. If in US, how do you take care of it in advanced.

I am planning a trip in August and several members of the party have old DWIs obtained in Wisconsin.

Thanks for your help,

Steve

[Frank_Walsh]

Hi,

A DWI in either country would be a problem. With todays centralized data bases, more and more old offenses are showing up. One cannot predict any specific outcome. I've seen recent cases where the entire group had fairly recent DWIs, admitted it, and were allowed in. I've seen others where "grandpa" had a 30 year old DWI that he completely and honestly had forgot about, be denied entry.

It's a crap shoot I'm not willing to take. We actually had people turned back this year that lost their whole trip.

The phone number, or web site in my above posts should get you on the right track.


Frank

[Esox46]

Frank, aren't you the gentleman who owns the resort up in the Angle? If so, I hate to open a can of worms, but have a question that needs to be asked?

Since 9/11, I have heard stories of folks not being allowed in due to variety of reasons, particularly the DWI thing. They have drove 14 plus hours only to be turned around and try to salvage their trip at a lake/resort in the states. How does this affect their deposit sent to a Canadian resort in advance? Are resorts returning them with no problem? Seems to me the intent to keep the date of the trip is there from the customers point of view but the country won't let them in!

As my friends and I normally make plans at upcoming shows, we are wondering what protections resorts are giving us in this post 9/11 climate. Any comment as I'm sure this is something that is being discussed amongst resort owners. Thanks Frank.

[Frank_Walsh]

Hi,

First, this is not totally a September 11th issue. It has been escalating for the last two years. In addition to the September 11th date, another reason it has intensified is the closing of the float plane service to the Angle. A lot of people with DWIs avoided the border crossing by flying in (never leaving the U.S.),and phoning in to customs (when fishing) that was more relaxed than the actual border.

As to the deposit issue, I am speaking for myself only. But I'm sure the deposit refund policies are somewhat universal. We make all of our customers aware of the situation. Below, is an actual section regarding customs from our instructions sheet, that we send to our guests when making a reservation:

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Border Crossing
As part of your trip, you will be crossing into Manitoba, and are restricted to the same Canadian Customs requirements, as if you are staying in Canada. These general guidelines are by no means conclusive, and you should check the current regulations before entry:

· You are restricted to one case of beer, or 40 ounces of alcohol (or wine) per person.
· You are allowed one carton of cigarettes, or 50 cigars per person.
· You must have current rabies vaccination certificate for all of your pets.
· If you have a DUI, or other criminal conviction, you may be refused entry to Canada.
· The only live bait allowed is night crawlers packed in bedding.
· You cannot enter with handguns, pepper spray, mace, or radar detectors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Obviously, when someone gets this, and could not resolve their border problems, we would refund any (and all) monies paid. If they get to the border, and are refused entry leaving us with an empty cabin, they will not get a refund. I can go on for a few pages regarding "no shows" and deposit issues, but that is not the subject. Rest assured that the small portion of lost income that the deposit offsets, does not help much. The bank still has their hand out.

To summarize this, we make all of our customer aware of the rules as we know it. This virtually eliminates last minute surprises.