So I'm up in Atikokan last week checking out our September trip entry point on some Crown Land north of Atikokan and I like what I see.  I tap some locals for fishing information and it sounds very promising.  We were in some Crown Land last summer and we had a great trip so we decided that it might be worth while looking into some other areas.  So, on my way out of town I stop at Walts and ask if I could pre-purchase camping permits so as to avoid a stop next month.  

"Sure", he says, "No problem.  For when and where?"  So I give him the location (Seine River Tributary NE of Marmion) and then he asks for my ID.  Upon seeing my MN drivers license, he asks which resort is outfitting me or which guide I was using.  "No one" I say, "we outfit ourselves and are just going to park here, carry it in and make our way north."  His eyebrows raise and he then informs me that I cannot get a Crown Land camping permit unless I am being outfitted because this is a "Green Zone."  So I ask to see a map of this "green zone", which encompasses nearly all of NW Ontario.

Here's the scoop, which was confirmed by a subsequent phone call to the MNR.  Apparently, overnight camping on Crown Land in the "Green Zone" (which, by the way, is nearly everything North of Atikokan (White Otter included)) is now prohibited for non-residents UNLESS you are 100% outfitted by a guide/resort.  I was "strongly encouraged" to use the Provincial Park system - so while I love the Q, I fell in love with Crown Land over the past 2 years as well.  So, looks like I'm back to Quetico after a 3 year hiatus.

Not a big deal but just thought the other Crown Land campers here might appreciate the information.  Jeesh.   :P

Of course I understand the "logic" / reasoning behind it being that the MNR has more financial interest the PP system and if they can't get their bucks worth, at least the resorters / guides will get a taste.  I'm not complaining. . . Just a little surprised - well, not that surprised either I suppose.  anyway, just FYI.

PJ, perhaps the substantial "outfitting" you get from a liquor store would qualify.

Kingfisher wrote on Jul 20^th, 2007 at 9:21pm:

PJ, perhaps the substantial "outfitting" you get from a liquor store would qualify.

Perhaps, but then we would have to renegotiate our sponsorship contract - legal nightmare I'm afraid.   ::)

i thought there was a thread on here a while back talking about the same thing. someone posted that they found an outfitter that would give them the required paperwork if they rented a tent from him...and then left it on the shelf.

I've rented life jackets for a discount before but apperently the anti has been raised this year.  In fact, I'm sure the outfitters and guides appreciate this new situation and I can appreciate it as well.  Canoe Camping in Canada is a privelgde and I'm not one to take it for granted.

Does this apply to Nortern Manitoba? Maybe I should ask where the green zones are. :-/

cedarboy :)

This link was posted on the CanoeCountry forum and perked my interest.  No detail is given though as to regulations or mention of the "green" zone.  

  (You need to Login or Register

"We would drive into the heart of Canadian Shield muskie country, framed by Eagle Lake, Lake of the Woods and Rainy River. Instead of spending more than $1,000 on a guide, lodging, home-cooked meals and possibly float-plane fees, we'd just haul a canoe into Canada's lightly regulated and largely pristine "Crown lands" and camp along the shore, a la the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness or its Canadian twin, Quetico Provincial Park. "

It is my understanding, northern Manitoba is not restricted like Ontario is.

ck

Thanks CK
Planning a trip next year for the Grass River, dont  need a surprise. :-?

CB 8-)

Reviving this thread for more "enlightenment".

My US outfitter says I can purchase a "Crown Land Permit" for use on N Light lake here in the US before I cross with my RABC.  So this is outside the "green zone"?  What say you?

I asked about how to identify Crown Land vs. private property....was told to just stay away from camping near anything that looks "owned".  I've viewed the journey on Google Earth, and there does appear to be some private property development out there....NE Sag and N Light.
Seemns kind of "nebulous".  What say you?

Northern Lights Lake is out of the zone.  One of my employees and his pals do a "canoe trip" into NLL each summer and head about 2 miles NW of the resort at the end of the road.

Thanks PJ.  I'm gonna paddle in from the Gunflint.  Looks to be an easy paddle (tow in to Sag falls).  Gonna checkout N Light falls and Saganaga falls.  I've wanted to checkout this lake for 5 years now.  Bonus will be 2 nights up in NE Sag (outside of the Q) on the way out.

Green Zone?, 'eh?  I remeber this post when it first came out....forgot to research that one.