Got stopped on Seagull Lake (I think it was), and outside BWCA by MN game warden or whatever (he was in motorboat)
and he definitely checked for boat registration on our canoe (had registered in NY).   I do think it is necessary for anyplace in MN - for the most part, though I'm pretty ignorant of BW put ins, you drive to a put in parking,  and portage to the first lake, which is often not in BW?

This is a distantly-related question: does an American canoe need to be registered in ANY state to cross the border into Canada?

My guess is "no" BUT what Bill says about the "value of voluntary registration to assist in recovery from loss or theft" makes sense to me.  The reason for this question is that my brother - who lives in Texas - just purchased a brand new Prism which he had delivered to my house.  He intends to come get it and take it across the border with him when he joins me in June.   I'm not even sure they require registration of canoes down in Texas but that is his concern, not mine.  I'm more interested in possible issues that could arise for my "group crossing" of the border IF he tries to cross without a registered canoe.  Frankly, I doubt there ARE any if he has the bill of sale, etc.... which he will have.  If anyone knows differently, I welcome your inputs here.

Jimbo   

Thanks, Jim J!  Was kind of figuring it was that slack but the question became a bit of an itch I wasn't able to completely scratch.   

Jimbo   

I concur. You do need to comply with the safety requirements if your home jurisdiction - state - while in  Canada, not Canadian, which are generally more restrictive.