leeches

[starfire]

Hey everyone,  It will be roughly forty days till my wife and I head to Alwaki Lodge.  I know every year it is hashed out were to get your leeches.  Well It has been a couple of years since I have been there.   Any suggestions on were the best place to get them?   Last time our crew went, we met at Walmart parking lot in North Bay to pick up the Leeches, I believe his name was ed (not sure). This year with just my wife, I know I will not need as many. 

[RHYBAK]

Our group always get ours at Kipawa bait.
There are two places in North bay which I'm sure somebody will post for you.
As a matter of fact,I believe one has been posted already,if you read through the past threads.
Another is the new bait shop in Tamisquaming. Word is,he is selling b y the pound.

Here is one
Trout Lake Outdoor Centre
3791 Trout Lake Rd
North Bay
705-495-4227 - Bob's cell 705-493-1781

North Bay Outfitters on Lakeshore Dr, North Bay
Billy Bob's, Lakeshore Dr south end.
Kipawa Bait & Tackle, downtown Kipawa.....

[Kathy E]

Hello,
Does anyone know if it is ok to bring leeches across the border if they are in bedding?   We've brought them in the past.  Last year while crossing the border, we were asked if we had any, we said we did.   When we said they were in bedding, they allowed us to bring them over.  Can anyone clarify?   I don't want to buy them and then find out that they are not allowed  (they are expensive!).
Thanks,
Kathy

[starfire]

Thanks Rhybak,
    I will get thematic Kipawa bait. Appreciate the info

[limacharley]

Kathy
Leeches in bedding?? Do you mean worms?

[Kathy E]

It's special bedding made for leeches, I think it's made by Fraybil.  I know it's hard to find.   You keep the leeches in this moistened bedding in the refrigerator, they keep for a long time.

[Oarin]

  Hi Kathy, Mark and I had always brought leeches with us over the boarder, then several years ago we were told we had to go back across the border to  New York and dump them. Lots of $ left on the ground. We now buy our leeches at Billy Bob's in North Bay. They have had a reliable supply each year. If you go there call ahead and place an order. They were the only place to have them when we went late in August.

   Leave some fish for Mark and me! Hopefully no screaming rabbits this year and maybe the lynx will come through our camps again. We'll see you guys in 87 days!! Oarin.

[Kathy E]

Hi Gary,
I think we may have to buy leeches in Canada this year.   We do know where Billy Bob's is, we stopped there once.   It's not worth buying them here if we have to dump them.   So looking forward to going, Mike has been counting down the days.   We just might catch all the fish before you and Mark get there, lol.   
Gonna be nice to go for 2 weeks in a row!   I hope that screaming rabbit doesn't show up again, but you never know.
See you in 86 days!
Kathy

[RHYBAK]

Kathy
I did some phoning around yesterday and here are my findings.
Please keep in mind that your dollar is better than ours.

Kipawa Bait=$45/lb
Pronature=$49/lb
Billy Bob=$50/lb

[Jay Thomas]

Hello,
Does anyone know if it is ok to bring leeches across the border if they are in bedding?   We've brought them in the past.  Last year while crossing the border, we were asked if we had any, we said we did.   When we said they were in bedding, they allowed us to bring them over.  Can anyone clarify?   I don't want to buy them and then find out that they are not allowed  (they are expensive!).
Thanks,
Kathy

Here's an excerpt from the 2014 Ontario Fishing Regulations "It is illegal to bring any crayfish, salamanders, live fish or leeches into Ontario for use as bait".

IMHO, even though your plans don't include using the leeches in Ontario, it's still illegal to bring live leeches into or through Ontario. You can contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940.

Jay

[SgtCrabby]

That answered a question I've been contemplating; 
     No crawfish.

Sgt Crabby

[puckster_guy]

That answered a question I've been contemplating; 
     No crawfish.

Sgt Crabby

I've seen crayfish in kip does anybody know if they'll be good walleye bait? Just curious, I have used them to catch smallies in the past.

[SgtCrabby]

As I see it; the first question is are crawfish even legal to use in Quebec? 
They are a form of live bait.
Down here they're used as bait for several types of fish and are also considered 'tasty' to people too.

[puckster_guy]

Hey Sarge.....I've eaten bucketfulls of'em on several trips south of the border. They are delicious, a bit of work to eat tho but I love'em. As for the bait issue I believe it only applies to monnows else worms and leeches would be illegal too. Either way it was as much a rhetorical question. Do the walleye eat them? I'm sure they do. Having said that I have no idea how to capture them to try......Joe.

[SgtCrabby]

Yes, bucketfulls is the way to serve them. and they are a bit of work (small bites), but can be delicious, especially if you like hot spicy foods which isn't for everyone, at least in Lousiana its spicy.
Last year when cleaning some fish, we found crawfish in the stomachs so I would have to say that they do eat them. 
That is why I've been contemplating if I could bring some, but Jays excert says no bringing with me.  Maybe a local baitshop would have them (if legal; they are a form of 'fish').