King Island Lodge

Frequently Asked Questions

Know Before You Go

Information for U.S. & International Travellers crossing the Canada / USA Border

Do I need to have a passport to visit Canada?

The U.S. Government requires all of its citizens 16 years or older (returning to the USA from Canada) to have a valid passport. This includes travel by land, air or sea.

While Americans technically do not require a passport to enter Canada, American Law requires you to present a passport to U.S. Customs and Border Officers upon your return to the United States.

For more information visit www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders

What identification do I need for my child?

If you are traveling with your own children under the age of 16 and you are accompanied by your spouse, ensure you bring their birth certificates. If you are traveling with a child other than your own or without your spouse, have the child’s birth certificate as well as a letter of permission, including name and contact information for that child’s parents or in the case of your own child, from the child’s parent not traveling with you. This is needed in case Customs Officers decide to verify you have permission to bring the child into Canada.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has useful information about visiting our country at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp

What if someone from our group has a DUI, felony, or misdemeanor conviction?

If you or anyone in your party has a felony or misdemeanor conviction, you may not be allowed into Canada. This includes offenses such as a DUI. Your admissibility to Canada depends on the nature of the offense, how many offenses you have, as well as how long ago it occurred. If this applies to you or someone traveling with you, it is imperative that you contact Canada Immigration well in advance of your arrival. You will likely have to complete some paperwork and Canadian Immigration authorities will then advise you of the likelihood of being allowed into Canada. Final determination of your admissibility into Canada is only made when you cross the border.

Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp or the Canadian Consulate in Detroit, MI at www.detroit.gc.ca regarding any forms you may be required to fill out. You may also want to call the Immigration Officer at the Fort Frances, Ontario Port of Entry at (807) 274-3655 to discuss your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions for Americans traveling outside of the U.S. are available at these two websites: www.canadawelcomesyou.net and www.travel.state.gov U.S.

How do I get a passport?

When getting a passport for the first time, go to the nearest passport acceptance facilities located throughout the USA. Bring two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices.

There are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.

How do I renew my passport?

You can renew your passport by mail if:
– your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged;
– you received the passport within the past 15 years;
– you were over age 16 when it was issued;
– and you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.

If your passport has been altered or damaged, you must apply in person.

Do children need passports?

There are special requirements for children under 14 years old and between 14 and 17, see the website below for more info on these requirements.

Main passport website: travel.state.gov/passport
Download an application on-line: travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html

Is there anything I’m not allowed to bring into Canada?

Residents of the United States who visit Canada are allowed to bring in a “reasonable” amount of personal goods duty free. Below are the limits you are allowed for some of the regulated items:

Alcohol: If you meet the age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada (19 years old in Ontario), you are allowed to bring in, free of duty and taxes, either 1.5 litres of wine, or 1.14 litres (40 oz) of liquor, or 24 x 355 millilitres (12 oz) cans or bottles of beer or ale. Additional amounts will be subjected to duty.
Tobacco: If you meet the age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada (19 years old in Ontario), you are allowed to bring the following amounts of tobacco without paying duty: up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams (7 oz) of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks. Additional amounts will be subjected to duty.
Food Products: Americans are allowed to bring in beef products into Canada for personal consumption only – up to 5 kg (11 lbs) per person. Be aware that you cannot bring certain foods or goods into Canada from the United States or Overseas. Customs Border Services has an informative website you can visit prior to your arrival at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html
Pets: Residents from the U.S. are allowed to bring their dog or cat to Canada. Animals older than 3 months of age require a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued within the previous 36 months. Animals under 3 months of age do not require a certificate but must appear to be in good health.

What can I bring back to the United States?

Residents returning to the United States are allowed to bring back the following provided they were in Canada for at least 48 hours:

• $400 U.S. worth of merchandise per person duty free every 30 days. Families may combine their $400 exemptions.

• If you have stayed for less than 48 hours or if you have used part or all of your $400 allowance in the previous 30 days the limit is $200 U.S.

More Information: www.cbp.gov

Do I need a fishing license to fish in Canada?

All non-residents of Canada who want to fish in Ontario require a current non-resident sports fishing license and a non- resident Outdoors Card. Non-residents under the age of 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed family member. Any fish caught are part of the limit of the person with the license.

Canadian residents require a resident fishing license and a current resident Outdoors Card.

Can I bring live bait into Canada?

No, you cannot bring live minnows, smelts, leeches, night crawlers or any other bait fish into Ontario from the United States.

Is there a limit to the number of fish I can catch in Canada?

With so many lakes, it is important that anglers are aware of the general regulations and of any exceptions to the general regulations (e.g. specific slots or catch and possession limits) that may apply to the lake you will be fishing on.

Ontario’s Fishing Regulations can be downloaded at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/Publication/STE L02_163615.html

Do I need a hunting license in Canada?

Non-residents must have one of the following to obtain a hunting license:

• An Ontario non-resident hunting license issued to you after January 1, 1968.

• A hunting license issued to you after January 1, 1968 by a competent authority in a jurisdiction where you were a resident of that jurisdiction.

• An Ontario hunting license verification certificate showing your license to hunt in Ontario or that you passed the hunting license examination.

A copy of the current Ontario Hunting Regulations can be downloaded at: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/Publication/MNR_E 001275P.html or call the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at (800) 667-1940.

Can I bring a gun into Canada?

Residents of the United States over the age of 18 may bring a rifle or shotgun into Ontario for hunting purposes only.

You are also allowed to bring up to 200 rounds of ammunition duty free. Firearms are subject to a registration fee. Residents of the U.S. are encouraged to pre-register their firearms prior to arriving. Handguns, fully-automatic weapons or modified weapons are not allowed in Canada. Proper storage of the firearm is important so make sure you are aware of the regulations.

For more information on importing your firearm into Canada and to receive a registration form, contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at (800) 731-4000 or (506) 624-5380. You can also download the registration form at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/formulaire/index-eng.htm

FISHING
Lake of the Woods is a tremendous body of water, covering roughly 951,300 acres. There are over 14,000 islands scattered about the lake and about 52,000 miles of shoreline to cast! King Island is located on Sabaskong Bay, on the east side of Lake of the Woods. Sabaskong Bay offers a safe haven, with many bays and hundreds of islands of all shapes and sizes. You can always find safe water here to fish, no matter how hard the wind blows. The rock shorelines are lined with majestic stands of white, red and jack pine and still look much as they did in the time of the early explorers. Lake of the Woods has a reputation as one of the best inland fisheries to be found anywhere. It also offers great variety, as it boasts walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, perch and lake sturgeon, as well as numerous non-game species.

WORLD CLASS MUSKIE FISHING

Lake of the Woods has consistently produced excellent numbers of fish in the 40 to 50 inch class. Also it is not unrealistic to catch that trophy sized (over 50 inch) lunker.
Medium heavy to heavy baitcasting rods with 25 to 35 pound line are the ticket, Bucktails and spinner baits in the early season around the weeds and shallows give way to crankbaits and surface baits by mid-summer. Fall usually finds the fish deeper and deep divers and jigging baits can be deadly here. Season opens the third Saturday in June.

FAST PACED BASS FISHING

Possibly the best kept secret about Lake of the Woods is the fact that it not only produces excellent numbers of smallmouth, but also lots of fish in the 17 to 21 inch class. Crankbaits, jigs and spinners all work well on the boulders in the early season. Mid-summer, rubber tailed jigs and deep cranks will pick them up in deeper water. Don’t forget about largemouth bass in deep cover. We have them as well. Season runs all year, with catch & release only during the month of June. Best times are the third week of May to mid-July.

WALLEYE FISHING

Sought after as a delicacy, a walleye shorelunch is truly worth the trip in itself. Lake of the Woods not only offers good numbers of lunch sized fish, but also opportunities to catch a fish of 30 inches or more. Jigs and minnows or leeches work well throughout the season, but bring some deep diving crankbaits if you like to cast or troll. Season opens the third Saturday in May. Best times are consistant throughout the season.

NORTHERN FISHING

These fish are the first to become active. Right after ice out you can find them up in the shallow bays ready to feed. Bucktails and spinner baits work well in the weed beds and bays, teamed with a medium to heavy baitcasting rod and reel. Weedless spoons and twister tails will also produce well but again, have a few larger diving crankbaits for rock shorelines. Best times mid-May to mid-July.

CRAPPIE FISHING

Shy, scrappy, finicky and delicious. We find them generally spring and fall and usually small jigs and minnows work best. Good numbers of fish and size up to 17 inches in our area. Best times – May 21st to June 21st or September 15th to October 30th.

Lake of the Woods Facts

Lake of the Woods is the second largest inland lake in Ontario.
It covers an area of 385,000 ha. (951,300 acres), two thirds of which is in Canada.
The average depth is 7.9 metres (26 feet).
The maximum recorded depth is 65.8 m (216 feet) in Whitefish Bay.
Although Lake of the Woods is irregular in shape, the lake at its widest span is 105 km (65 miles) north-south and 90 km (56 miles) east-west.

WALLEYE FISHING