I am doing a fly in trip to northern Ontario next week. My outfitter recommended that I pre order my Leeches through Bobs Corner in Vermilion Bay. I initially ordered 12 pounds for our 10 day trip for 5 people. I did not inquire about the price when I talked to them, so I called them today to see what the charge would be. They told me 50 bucks a pound. I could not believe it!!!! I quickly changed my order to only 6 pounds. Is this the going rate up there, or is there someplace on the way to Red Lake or in Red Lake that is cheaper?? This fishing is expensive.....

Welcome to Canada.
Famous Canadian quote "how much is it?" "how much you got, eh..."

pretend youre in quetico.

quote kanoes: "pretend youre in quetico."

Very, very, good idea...

Time to use jigs etc.

quote kanoes: "pretend youre in quetico."

In all honesty, you probably won't even need leeches or any other live bait in Northern Ontario. From my experience it would be a total waste of money.

Order them online and have them delivered/shipped to
Someplace nearby in Canada. We get em for $20.00 a pound for larges.

You cannot bring leeches into Canada anymore, they must trap their own which results in the high price.(You must purchase them there and have a sales slip indicating you have done so.) This started many years ago when their trappers/dealers pushed to have the leech banned, at least banned from being purchased in the US.

THEY could at that time, buy them in bulk from US trappers & re-sell them, until a judge ruled that NO LEECHES could come in anymore.

All of their leeches used to come from the White Earth Indian Reservation and surrounding area, which is very fertile water for leeching. Now they have no outside source for them. They brought it on themselves by trying to corner the market!

quote The Great Outdoors: "You cannot bring leeches into Canada anymore, they must trap their own which results in the high price.(You must purchase them there and have a sales slip indicating you have done so.) This started many years ago when their trappers/dealers pushed to have the leech banned, at least banned from being purchased in the US.

THEY could at that time, buy them in bulk from US trappers & re-sell them, until a judge ruled that NO LEECHES could come in anymore.

All of their leeches used to come from the White Earth Indian Reservation and surrounding area, which is very fertile water for leeching. Now they have no outside source for them. They brought it on themselves by trying to corner the market!

"

I wouldn't doubt in Canada good leech ponds are limited.
Down home here we have a couple of people making pretty much a living off of catching leeches out of shallow ponds in the Mille lacs to west and north of Brainerd.

I called a couple of places we use near Fort Francis and that is the going price $50/lb. Ouch! They were nowhere near that price last year.

In past years I have done two fly in trips to Northern Ontario and never used live bait. Fishing was fantastic.

I do very well on GULP in Canada. If you still insist on live bait get some crawlers packed specifically for Ontario (bedding not dirt) and use those instead of leeches...same results for much less $$.

Salted minnows, work great, easy to keep, cheap.

quote mutz: "Salted minnows, work great, easy to keep, cheap."

I wonder,can you bring those across the border?

quote PINETREE: "

quote mutz: "Salted minnows, work great, easy to keep, cheap."

I wonder,can you bring those across the border?"

I think so but probably wouldn't hurt to check with the outfitter flying you in.

quote mutz: "

quote PINETREE: "

quote mutz: "Salted minnows, work great, easy to keep, cheap."

I wonder,can you bring those across the border?"

I think so but probably wouldn't hurt to check with the outfitter flying you in."

We did it 3 years ago when I went...no need for live bait up there as others have said.

bring some yellow 3" twister tails and other colors ?

quote shock: "bring some yellow 3" twister tails and other colors ?"

Oh yes, I have a few hundred in every color imaginable ..

HUH I thought the only pulled crap like that on Americans south of the USA. I would think some Canadian would be more resourceful and start up a business farming them.. Clearly there is some money to be made.

quote wildernessfan2: "HUH I thought the only pulled crap like that on Americans south of the USA. I would think some Canadian would be more resourceful and start up a business farming them.. Clearly there is some money to be made. "

It's not a ploy to extract money from Americans. The Canadians are taking the threat of spreading exotic species/diseases very seriously. Thus no importing of live bait. I personally think it's a wise move.

quote marsonite: "

quote wildernessfan2: "HUH I thought the only pulled crap like that on Americans south of the USA. I would think some Canadian would be more resourceful and start up a business farming them.. Clearly there is some money to be made. "

It's not a ploy to extract money from Americans. The Canadians are taking the threat of spreading exotic species/diseases very seriously. Thus no importing of live bait. I personally think it's a wise move.



"

I see what you are saying but the negativity behind this is due to the history. The Canadians didn't ban American Leeches, they banned Americans selling them in Canada. They would buy American leeches, bring them across the border then crank the price up about 200-400% to sell to Americans. This was all under the guise of stopping invasive species. In reality the leeches were still the same American leeches just with some added price gauging.

It sounds like the current ban is actually legitimate, but you can't help but doubt the Canadians due to their previous history.

T

Back in the mid 90's when I used to fish Lac Seul and St Joeseph with my uncle-- occasionally we would buy minnows (always did Salty Dogs--salted minnow). When we did by minnows, they were hand counted. Not talking heavy northern-- were talking counting out chubs.

quote marsonite: "

quote wildernessfan2: "HUH I thought the only pulled crap like that on Americans south of the USA. I would think some Canadian would be more resourceful and start up a business farming them.. Clearly there is some money to be made. "

It's not a ploy to extract money from Americans. The Canadians are taking the threat of spreading exotic species/diseases very seriously. Thus no importing of live bait. I personally think it's a wise move.
"

As timatkn stated, it had nothing to do with invasive species, it was all about the dollar when they first banned the leech.
I had a Canadian bait dealer contact me because he wanted to buy bulk Ciscos. During the course of the conversation he came out with the statement, "We're going to ban the leech!"
When I asked him why, the reply was, "because we want to sell them all!"
I spoke to personnel in the Ministry of Natural Resources at that time and they tried to use the same "protect the waters" argument.
BUT they had no answer when asked why a Canadian and I could be at the same dealer in White Earth, load hundreds of pounds of leeches on both of our trucks, deliver them to our shops, put them in well water, and mine were no good, while the Canadian doing the same thing had leeches totally acceptable to be sold in Canada.

Ok, point taken.

I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry.

quote marsonite: "Ok, point taken.


I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry. "

This is already happening with night crawlers, as almost all sold in the US come from Canada.
If I understand correctly, an invasive species like VHS cannot be transferred with a leech for some reason.
However, I don't think the situation you described could really happen because bait is a lot cheaper here than in Canada! :)
PS-The Canadian bait dealers didn't really want the leech banned, they wanted to sell ALL OF THEM, and cut their own throat in the process.

quote marsonite: "Ok, point taken.


I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry.


"

I showed that to one of my Canadian co-workers and he thought that was pretty funny, with their system that isn't ever going to happen.

T

quote timatkn: "

quote marsonite: "Ok, point taken.



I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry.



"

I showed that to one of my Canadian co-workers and he thought that was pretty funny, with their system that isn't ever going to happen.


T"

Not saying it's going to ever happen, But again, try to imagine the situation from their point of view.

Back in the 80's, I had an uncle who loved to fish in Ontario, and bragged about gassing up in I falls, bringing his own bait and groceries and never spending a dime in Canada. And then bringing home multiple limits of fish. And he was not alone. Is it any wonder they have passed laws to restrict US fishermen? After all, those resources are owned by the people of Canada.

So I'm just saying, just pretend, that every boat on the lake next to your bait shop had an Ontario license, and those people brought their own bait from home. Not saying it would ever happen, but how would you feel about this? That's my point.

quote timatkn: "

quote marsonite: "Ok, point taken.



I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry.



"

I showed that to one of my Canadian co-workers and he thought that was pretty funny, with their system that isn't ever going to happen.


T"

Not saying it's going to ever happen, But again, try to imagine the situation from their point of view.

Back in the 80's, I had an uncle who loved to fish in Ontario, and bragged about gassing up in I falls, bringing his own bait and groceries and never spending a dime in Canada. And then bringing home multiple limits of fish. And he was not alone. Is it any wonder they have passed laws to restrict US fishermen? After all, those resources are owned by the people of Canada.

So I'm just saying, just pretend, that every boat on the lake next to your bait shop had an Ontario license, and those people brought their own bait from home. Not saying it would ever happen, but how would you feel about this? That's my point.

quote marsonite: "

quote timatkn: "

quote marsonite: "Ok, point taken.



I still don't fault the Canadians. Can you imagine the hue and cry if Canadians started driving across the US border in large numbers with full gas tanks and full bait buckets to catch our fish? I bet the state legislature would be hearing from bait dealers in a hurry.

"

I showed that to one of my Canadian co-workers and he thought that was pretty funny, with their system that isn't ever going to happen.



T"

Not saying it's going to ever happen, But again, try to imagine the situation from their point of view.


Back in the 80's, I had an uncle who loved to fish in Ontario, and bragged about gassing up in I falls, bringing his own bait and groceries and never spending a dime in Canada. And then bringing home multiple limits of fish. And he was not alone. Is it any wonder they have passed laws to restrict US fishermen? After all, those resources are owned by the people of Canada.


So I'm just saying, just pretend, that every boat on the lake next to your bait shop had an Ontario license, and those people brought their own bait from home. Not saying it would ever happen, but how would you feel about this? That's my point.


"

Agree 100%. Especially being another country. I always said going to Quetico etc., is a special privilege.

That goes for other areas also,if I go to Grand Marais or Ely I feel obligated to spend some money to support the recreational industry in that area.

quote marsonite:
Not saying it's going to ever happen, But again, try to imagine the situation from their point of view.

Back in the 80's, I had an uncle who loved to fish in Ontario, and bragged about gassing up in I falls, bringing his own bait and groceries and never spending a dime in Canada. And then bringing home multiple limits of fish. And he was not alone. Is it any wonder they have passed laws to restrict US fishermen? After all, those resources are owned by the people of Canada.

So I'm just saying, just pretend, that every boat on the lake next to your bait shop had an Ontario license, and those people brought their own bait from home. Not saying it would ever happen, but how would you feel about this? That's my point. "

The Canadians referred to those folks as "pork and beaners". They really ruined a good thing, because the Canadians felt compelled to respond by limiting where Americans could camp (within a certain distance of the border)--no camping at landings, etc.--as well as requiring a Crown Land Camping Permit for backcountry trippers.

Ultimately, the whole thing was driven by Americans allowing their own fisheries to be so degraded that they had to head north to find widespread, great fishing.

Marsonite I get it and the feeling to want to do that, but restrictive or retaliation policies usually makes things worse for the economy or have the reverse negative affect over time. Just look at tourism between MN and Canada. A lot more Candians come down than Minnesotans go up and the ratio is ever increasing. Can be good if you are a Minnesotan going to Canada (less people), bad if you own a Business in Canada. Good for Minnesota business as well---so not complaining :) Sorry for getting off topic though.

As far as your uncle goes I wouldn't say he was alone but far from the majority. Also multiple limits is poaching and should be prosecuted, but that is an individual situation.

We get the same thing every year with a few Wisonsin fisherman busted with 400 perch or walleyes here in MN--doesn't mean everyone from Wisconsin does this and we retaliate with restrictions on all Wisconsin residents though.

I'm just playing devils advocate really though and trying to add perspective why many may sound dubious over the Canadian rules. I try to go to Quetico 1-2x/year myself and love it.


T

Smuggle them in !!!!

I paid $60/lb 8 years ago in vermilion bay at the corner store (before it burned down). They were small and I'm not sure how they were weighed but I'll bet there weren't more than 40 leeches in there
I'm sure it was a joke but you don't want to smuggle ANYTHING into Canada. If you get caught it can throw your whole trip into jeopardy.

We have used gulp leeches and minnows for 7 years now on fly in lakes near vermilion bay and done very well. Usually catching a dozen or more fish per bait.

I know you said the leeches were small, but if you have true jumbo leeches, it's possible that you could have as few as 6 dozen (give or take) in a pound.
Most people cannot fairly judge the number of minnows or leeches in a bag to give a good estimate.

Tgo. I bought a half pound from your shop last month. Your leeches were 30% bigger and there were 2-3 times as many as we got up in vermilion bay. I was impressed