Smelt

[rollz2002]

I was just wondering what the restrictions were about bringing smelt across the border was. I have them already dead, frozen and salted. Is this enough or is there more that I have to do? Or Can I not bring them all together.

[Cheers]

YOU CAN NOT USE SMELT AS BAIT !!

It dosnt matter if they are frozen,dried, pickled ect. you cant be in possesion of smelt while fishing. The M.N.R. just did a series of public presentations about intruduced/invasive species and are realy concerned. I dont think the C. O. will have much tollerence. Sucker meat or ciscoes work just as well and are ok to use.

[CH47]

Cheers is 100% correct. It is illegal to use smelt as bait in Canada and if the border patrol finds them they will be confiscated. If the CO finds you with them then you stand the chance of having your GEAR confiscated. As in your poles, tackle, BOAT......

[hksbh]

You guys are wrong smelt are allowed in Canada but maybe not all Provinces. Manitoba you are allowed to import and use as bait if they are dead.

[Schwanny]

I agree with you hksbh...it depends on what part of Canada you are going to. Much of Ontario, but not all of Ontario has this restriction. If you cross at Pigeon River it is allowed, but it depends on how far west you drive from Thunder Bay. We bring Smelt across every year and declare it at the border. We never had a problem. It is better explained in the Ontario fishing regulations which are available on-line.

[pikemaster]

We also cross at Pigeon River and head west to the Geraldton area. You are allowed to use smelt in this area, which includes Atikokan to Nipigon to Longlac. We declare them and have never had a problem. I even bring them to the resort owner and give him a bunch, it saves money because ciscoes are expensive in Canada.

[rollz2002]

The area I am goin is right north of Fort Francis. We go into pipestone and then off there we fish a little lake. We have been told that there are smelt in there and thats why I figured I could bring them.

I guess I can look it up but whats the Canadian web page that has the regs on it?

[Cheers]

You can Google Ontario Fisging Regulations and down load the entire regs. You are interested in division 22. Good Luck! Or you can phone 807 274 5337 (M.N.R.Ft. Frances ) ask for Doug Gibb - the area supervisor for the C.Os ( he is out of town but I think he is back Friday ) you can leave voicemail by chosing option 1 then 442. Or you can trust me ( Ilive in Ft Frances and fish almost daily) and I will swear on a stack of bibles that you cant legaly use or posses while fishing smelt in our area! Yes you can use smelt in some areas East of Thunder Bay but not in the imediat Atikokan or Fort Frances area (area # 22 )

[Cheers]

I picked up a copy of the regs this evening F.Y.I. page 67 shows the map and page 74 has the text. NO SMELT OF ANY KIND ! from the Manitoba border to East of Atikokan aprox 35 miles and North past Big Trout Lake ( 700 miles North ). Divisions 32, 22,22A,30, 24,31,