Sportsman's Lodge on Little Vermilion Lake

As of June 1, 2009 EVERYONE is required to have a Passport or equivalent  documentation to cross the US/Canada Border.  Valid Drivers License and Birth Certificates are NOT equivalent documents.

The Official site for all US Passport information is:
http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/

If you nee a passport and don't know where to go, this site  provides a look-up for your closest site:
http://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

Also plan on at least 2 Months to receive your passport after you apply for it.  If it is less than 2 months until you travel there is a process to expedite your request for an additional processing fee. 

Keep in mind there are some special requirements for Minors (Under the age of 16) to apply for a passport.

As a visitor, you can bring certain goods into Canada for your own use as "personal baggage". Personal baggage includes clothing, camping and sports equipment, cameras and personal computers

What to Pack

• Extra rod and reel
• Tackle box with lures, fillet knife, sharpening stone
• Depth finder - We do have Depth finders for all our boats so brining one is not a neccessity. Please feel free to bring your own.
• Rain gear
• Heavy clothes
• Gloves and hat
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses
• Sun Block
• Camera
• Tin foil
• Food and beverages - See "Food"  FAQ
• Plastic bags for freezing fish

The biggest rule is don't pack what you will not need on your trip!  There are a few items that can not be brought across the border.  The most common are:

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetables.  Only bring food items that have been factory packaged across the border.  Once you are in Canada you can purchase these items from a Canadian Grocery store.
• Night crawlers in Dirt.  Dirt or earth can not be taken across the US/Canadian border.  Night crawlers packed in an approved worm bedding can be taken across the US/Canadian border.  There are several Bait/Tackle shops near the border where you can purchase Night crawlers properly packaged for the trip across the border.
• Pillows, Blankets, or Bedding.  All these items are included with your stay at Sportsman's Lodge.  You can bring these items if you have special requirements.

For a complete list of "Restricted" items please visit this link:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s6

Weather you are coming as a group of 2 or 12 we recommend that the shopping is done by  a single person or a small group shopping together.  Our experience has been that when each group member does there own shopping a LOT of unopened food is left behind. 

Planning makes a BIG difference in bringing the right amount of food.

1. Plan what meals the group will eat, (Big Breakfast?, Dinner?, Supper? Snacks?)
2. Are there any Group members that will not be eating fish?
3. Are there any foods group members will/can not eat?

Group Members should bring their own Snack items, but don't bring more than they will eat on the trip.

All of our cabins are equipped with a Stove/Oven and Refrigerator inside, and access to a Gas Grill, and Large Fish Fryer outside. 

If you have not checked it out make sure to read "What NOT to bring".  The big item is don't bring fresh fruit or vegetables across the border.  Plan on purchasing items such as Potatoes and Onions after you are in Canada.  This will save you issues when trying to cross the border.

Yes you can, but you are limited on how much you can bring in to Canada without paying duty or taxes.

You can bring more Alcohol with you, but you must declare it at Customs, and pay the duty of any additional Alcohol brought across the border.

Keep in mind that each Case weighs 20 Pounds.  There is a weight limit on the flight from Red Lake to the Lodge.  See "Is there a Weight Limit" for more information.

For More Info please visit:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html#s5

All guests under the age of 18 years old MUST have a note from each parent not traveling with them.  When crossing the boarder into Canada all youth will need to be accompied by both parents, or require written permission to travel from the parent(s) not traveling with them. 

For more information see this link:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/admiss-eng.html#s2

Unfortunatly yes we do have a weight limit.  Everything going to/from the camp is transported by float plane. 

A good rule of thumb is to limit what you bring to 90 Lbs or less per person.  This includes all clothing, tackle, and groceries. 

One item that adds weight quickly is cases of pop/beer.  At 25 pounds per case weight adds up quickly.  If your group is expecting to require additional cases of pop/beer let us know when you book your trip.  We can purchase and bring your order out to camp before your group  arives. 

Night Crawlers can be brought across the US/Canada Border, but only if packed in bedding.  Please do not try to bring Night Crawlers that have been packed in dirt/earth.

Our best recommendation is to purchase Night Crawlers in International Falls before you cross the boarder.  Night Crawlers purchased here are ready for transport across the US/Canada border.

Here is a GREAT  website with all the information about crossing the border in a vehicle.

http://gocanada.about.com/od/faqscrossingtheborde1/p/border_tips.htm

Be at the dock at least 30 minutes before scheduled to fly out.  This is typically 6am.

Different aircraft have different passenger and weight limits.

Sort gear into two catagories. 

• Critical - Items that need to be with you at all times such as medication, and fishing tackle
• Non-Critical - such as food and clothes. 

This will allow you and other guests to start fishing earlier.

Arival/Departure times are very busy at camp.  The same planes that bring guest to camp are taking guests home on their return trips.  Our staff will be working very hard to have your cabin clean upon arrival, but please understand you may not be able to get into your assigned cabin immediately upon arrival. 

We recommend you use this time to setup your fishing gear, and/or explore the grounds.  The main lodge will typically be open should the weather be less than Ideal. 

This is also a GREAT time to talk with our departing guests about their experience while at camp.

Please bring your cameras and Video Cameras to document your trip. 

If you bring a Digital Camera and would like to share your pictures please stop by the Lodge the night before you leave so we can copy your photos to share on our website.  If you don't make it to the Lodge before you leave, but use Facebook don't forget to share your pictures and stories with our Facebook page.

Just in-case the Date/Time is not set in your Camera Please take one picture of a clock/Watch or Cell phone showing the time and current date if possible.  This will help us organize your photos.

When you arive at camp you will be assigned a boat/motor for your stay.  You are responsible for any damage to the boat.

Little Vermilion Lake has many boating hazards.  Although most are well marked, some may not be.  Use caution when navigating the lake.

Fuel tanks are refilled each night, and should last the entire day.

We have a newly remodled Fish Cleaning house at camp that will accommodate several guests at once.  To keep your Fish Cleaning experience a pleasant one we ask a few simple things.

• Keep the door closed.  The Fish Cleaning House is screened to keep out flys and other insects.  Of course if the door is proped open it defeats the reason to have it screened in.
• Clean up after yourself.  Water, Brushes, and Cutting boards are all provided.  When you are done rinse everything down and make sure the cutting boards are clean.

This does tend to become a gathering area.  If there are guests waiting to use the Fish Cleaning house please clean your fish before stopping to socialize.  Of course if no one is waiting take your time.

The main lodge has a radio telephone for guest use.  Please have some form of calling card to cover Long Distance calls.  There is one phone for the camp, so if you use the phone please keep in mind others may want to use the phone.

We are beyond any cell phone coverage areas, so cell phones do not work at camp or on the lake. 

Yes we do have Internet Access via satalite.  We do have a computer in the main lodge available, as well as limited wireless access. Bandwidth is limited and shared between all of our guests.  There is sufficient bandwidth for checking email and general web access, but we do not encourage use of streaming applications such as Netflix, or Hulu.

If you are a Facebook user we encourage you to post status updates along with pictures while at camp on our Facebook page.

Any fish you plan on taking home needs to be packed for inspection at the US/Canada border.  Each fish should be packed separately, and clearly marked with species.  Also a portion of the fish hide must still be attached to each fillet. 

If your group is traveling back in more than one vehicle make sure that your fish travel with you.  Customs will ask "How Many Fish are you bringing back".  If you have more fish than the total limits of the passengers of the vehicle they will be confiscated.

When packing to return home, have the fish easily accessible.

Dry Ice can be purchased in Red Lake, or Ear Falls

The night before you depart you will be told when to expect to leave.  Keep in mind this is an estimate and can very due to weather conditions.

Be prompt.  Remember the next guests are waiting to get to camp.