My BWCA trip this year is a little different than in the past. Instead of the typical week-long canoe trip, we are staying in a cabin on Clearwater Lake with my wife's family. I am looking for day trip suggestions. What lakes should we head to for fishing? Are there hikes off of Clearwater or surrounding lakes we could do? Any other sights we should see or places we should look to paddle? Thanks for the help!
The trip is in the middle of June.

Head to the east end of Caribou, near the portage to Little Caribou, for excellent fishing.

There is a hike to the top of the palisades on the south shore of Clearwater...I don't have specifics on how to find the trailhead, but you can find specific instructions in the podcast I will link to in a minute.

It's a fair amount of travel for a day trip, but you can get to Johnson Falls on the western tip of Pine from a cabin on Clearwater - cool place.

The portage to Mountain Lake on the north side of Clearwater intersects with the Border Route Hiking trail...I think from that spot you walk west on it to get to an amazing overlook of Mountain Lake from way up high. I think you might be able to get to the BRT through the back of the first campsite on the north side of Clearwater from the west.

Take the portage to West Pike, then the portage to Gogebic, which I've heard is a cool little lake with Brook Trout - kinda unique. I've never been there personally.

If you're interested, this podcast has 2 episodes specifically dedicated to discussing Clearwater Lake - the campsites, the portages in and out of it, etc. It should tell you everything you'd ever want to know about that lake - it's episodes 8 & 9. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tumblehome-a-boundary-waters-podcast/id1349937827

See this PDF for Gunflint Trail hiking opportunities.

inspector13: "
See this PDF for Gunflint Trail hiking opportunities.

"

Covers it pretty well.

Honeymoon Bluff is a good thing to do on your travel day in since it so short and on Clearwater Road. Looks west, so would be a nice place to see a sunset.

Stairway Falls via CARIBOU ROCK TRAIL is a crowd pleaser.

And head east on the Border Route Trail from Daniels lake. Start from Clearwater Lodge to and end up at the Rove overlook. Likely the most physically demanding of the ones I've mentioned here.

Or get a day permit and canoe to the Mountain-Clearwater portage and do both of the overlooks there.

Can someone creat a link to the podcast I'm having issues

myceliaman: "Can someone creat a link to the podcast I'm having issues"

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brotherbear: "My BWCA trip this year is a little different than in the past. Instead of the typical week-long canoe trip, we are staying in a cabin on Clearwater Lake with my wife's family. I am looking for day trip suggestions. What lakes should we head to for fishing? Are there hikes off of Clearwater or surrounding lakes we could do? Any other sights we should see or places we should look to paddle? Thanks for the help!
The trip is in the middle of June."

Brotherbear-I will be staying at the bunkhouse at Clearwater Lodge on June 17. If you are around during that time, look for a fat ugly guy with a blue Swift solo canoe and say hello!

That said, I think Treehorn pretty much nailed it. The fishing on the east end of Caribou can be outstanding at that time of the year. I have also had pretty good luck on Little Caribou during that time, and it is a much smaller lake that holds walleye, smallmouth and northern.

myceliaman: "Can someone creat a link to the podcast I'm having issues"

Go right to the source:
Clearwater Outfitters Blog/Podcasts
Episode 011 just came out yesterday.

Love listening. We will be in the area July 5-9.

Johnson Falls is one of the most well known scenic spots in the BWCA, for good reason - just a really cool spot. If you were willing to sacrifice an entire day you could get there and back with a reasonably early start, and time to spare. It is about 8.4 miles so a leisurely 3.5 hour canoe ride with a couple portages - but minimal gear. You will pass through some very nice lakes in Caribou and Little Caribou and if you like fishing they are both good ones.

If you left the dock at Clearwater by 8am I would venture to say that you could be at Johnson Falls before noon. Enjoy a couple hours with lunch, exploring both sets of falls and taking a dip in the great swimming hole at the lower falls and be on your way back by 2-230pm. This would put you back at the cabin around 6pm, i would allow some time for unforeseen circumstances and lollygagging. But in mid June you will have virtually the longest days of the year so even if you were off by an hour or two, it wouldn't matter, plenty of light left.

This would be an adventure, and a long day. But if the weather is cooperative i am betting you and the family would love it.

Their blogs are full of info. Though I've been to the area multiple times I learned a lot. We paddle out June 26th haven't decided on base camping on Clearwater or Caribou?

Frenchy19: Brotherbear-I will be staying at the bunkhouse at Clearwater Lodge on June 17. If you are around during that time, look for a fat ugly guy with a blue Swift solo canoe and say hello!"

Our first day is June 17th! Hopefully see ya around!

Clearwater palisades

BRT bridge near Gogebic Lake.

Gogebic rock recliners

Johnson Falls area

Mountain Lake overlooks

If you're willing to drive 5 minutes down the road you could also grab a day permit and check out the falls on the Stariway portage going into Rose lake. Would be a good one to combine with Honeymoon Bluff hike since you'll be in the car anyway for that one.

Make sure to look at the forecast if you are going to be out for the day. The wind can really howl on Clearwater and you don't want to have to head back to your cabin straight into a 30 MPH breeze.

treehorn: "Head to the east end of Caribou, near the portage to Little Caribou, for excellent fishing.


There is a hike to the top of the palisades on the south shore of Clearwater...I don't have specifics on how to find the trailhead, but you can find specific instructions in the podcast I will link to in a minute.


The portage to Mountain Lake on the north side of Clearwater intersects with the Border Route Hiking trail...I think from that spot you walk west on it to get to an amazing overlook of Mountain Lake from way up high. I think you might be able to get to the BRT through the back of the first campsite on the north side of Clearwater from the west.

I've heard there's one in each direction but know for sure that if you go a halfish mile to the West on the BRT where it intersects the Mountain/Clearwater portage you'll find some amazing views.

Take the portage to West Pike, then the portage to Gogebic, which I've heard is a cool little lake with Brook Trout - kinda unique. I've never been there personally.

Gogebic's worth a visit if you want some solitude. I wouldn't count on any fishing mid-day and it's a bit of a hike up there but would be plenty doable as a daytrip if you pack light. It's a neat little lake with a very unique feel. If you aren't camped toward the West end of Clearwater this could be a long day, however, so plan accordingly.