I don't understand

Over the years that I have frequented fishing lodges, I have continued to hear from some of our American neighbours that they don't abide with Canadian laws regarding bringing live bait (crawlers or leeches) into Canada. I'm at a loss to understand this practice. Whenever I visit the USA, I try my best to ensure I don't contravene any US laws - just seems like the neighbouring thing to do - to respect each others laws. The Canadian laws regarding bringing live bait into Canada have been in force long enough for everyone to know the laws. The fact that border guards don't always ask American fishermen coming into Canada whether they have any leeches or crawlers in dirt doesn't eliminate the existence of the laws.

Even though I'm cognizant of the economic impact of the recreational fishing industry to Canada, I can't help but question the rationale of guests that knowingly flaunt our laws. Just wondering....

[wingmann]

Not sure how often you have been told by an American that they don't obey that law. I have never heard anyone say they wouldn't. Whenever we bring worms from the US to Canada, they are always in bedding. Same goes for everyone I know that brings them over the border. Maybe someone was pulling your leg. This isn't hard to do so I have a hard time beliving someone wouldn't do the right thing.

Wingmann

[dutchboy]

Don't you know most of us arrogant Americans are above the law? Facts are it's a societal thing. Sad to say we as a people don't seem to respect others, be we Americans, Iranians, Russians, Chinese, Canadians or what ever. Just as some prefer to speed and also drink and drive some like to push the limit in regards to border crossings. Often you will find those same folks will be over limit or choose to ignore the limits and slots designed to protect our resources. I will never say all Americans are this way anymore then I would lump all Canadians into one group. It's a sad situation and it won't get better anytime soon.

Look around you...........people break the laws and ignore other peoples rights all the time. Kinda makes you want to move to the Arctic doesn't it?

[v-bay gord]

That hasn't been my experience in dealing with many Americans over the past 20 years. Maybe the odd gripe about laws etc, but can't say I've seen anyone flaunt the regulations.

[Obabikon]

First of all, you're allowed to bring crawlers in (as long they aren't in dirt). Maybe you meant minnows and leeches.



We put a lot of people through our resort, and not a single time has someone broken this law. Infact, this is one that most border guards ensure is kept up with. If this actually happens, my guess is it's less than 1:5000 actually break this law.

[Swifty]

This seems like a pretty ethnocentric view. I do my best to respect Canadian Laws when i visit Canada as you do when you visit the US. In fact, so does everyone i associate with.

At the end of the day there are a$$hole Americans and there are a$$hole Canadians and i highly doubt the ratio is all that different.

[Dogbreath]

I think Swifty has it right, the percentage is pretty close....
(maybe a couple less in Canada )
I have also noticed from previous posts on this subject, that not everyone is aware that transporting bait fish from lake to lake is an offence, it is also done up here by our own who do not know it is an offense. Not everyone is into fishing as deeply as many of us are.
Maybe "Just wondering" is trolling for an argument.....

[fishincrazy]

Originally Posted by DOGBREATH

I think Swifty has it right, the percentage is pretty close....
(maybe a couple less in Canada )
I have also noticed from previous posts on this subject, that not everyone is aware that transporting bait fish from lake to lake is an offence, it is also done up here by our own who do not know it is an offense. Not everyone is into fishing as deeply as many of us are.
Maybe "Just wondering" is trolling for an argument.....

BINGO!!!!!!

Why else would he/she hide behind the guest cloak.It is a valid concern so why not just post under a real handle?I feel sorry for anyone who has to hide.Just sayin................

FC

[Paul H]

I'm surprised that Ontario and others have not banned crawlers - at least in the north. They are non-native and their is renewed interest in keeping them from forests.

[Rich B]

For what it's worth, I have been heading north to various camps/lodges since the mid 80s
and can't ever say that I've known anyone in any camp to circumvent the Ontario regs regarding live bait.

I've personally brought up flats of crawlers various times (properly packed by Cabela's).

Never hear anyone in a camp "bragging" on bringing north their illegal live bait......if the original poster has heard this numerous times at different camps from Americans that they don't "abide" the Canadian laws, I'd have to ask which camps are you staying at ? The owners of the lodges/camps where I go would not tolerate that behavior.

Rich B