We have a entry permit for Tuesday, June 26th. Are initial plan was to base camp on Clearwater. Now I have a concern about fishing Clearwater so I was thinking base camp on Caribou with a day to visit and see Clearwater. I've had great success fishing Caribou. Any thoughts?

I haven't been to Caribou yet, but we did winter camp on Clearwater. Personally, I prefer smaller lakes, especially for a basecamp. There are some amazing sites on Caribou according to the ratings.

What time of the year do you normally fish Caribou?
I have only been there one time in early June and nobody on the lake was catching anything

I've been there in June and Sept.. equally gd fishing!

I was there a week after ice out so that’s probably why, I may have to try it again

I struggled fishing Clearwater (I was there in mid July). The Lakers start to be more difficult to target as they move to deeper water (somebody else will be better able to pinpoint the timing of the Lakers transition) and tiny smallies is what you are left with. Clearwater is Beautiful and it’s proximity to the BRT make it very appealing as a base camp but I wouldnt stay there for the fishing once the Lakers are deep. This is just based on my experience.

My suggestion is to not stay on Clearwater. Bc there are boats with motors it doesnt have that "boundary waters" feel seeing those boats. Stay on the on the most east camp site on the north side of Caribou. Great site, although fishing from shore wasnt great.

You could also stay at the 5 star in little caribou. Very short portage between the two.

Good day trip to Johnson falls. (bring a rod, we caught smallies a the base of the waterfall.

I suggest taking the first portage closest to Clearwater lodge to caribou vs the other ones. The middle lake portage is a death portage and idk why anyone would use it. The east most portage from Clearwater to Caribou is better heading from Clearwater to Caribou as it is more downhill that way. It is also a long paddle from Clearwater Lodge to that last portage on the south side of Clearwater. I think the paddling is easier on Caribou vs Clearwater.

Good fishing for Pike walleye and Smallies on Caribou and you can daytrip to Clearwater without having to portage all of your gear.

Planning on base camping at a campsite that is the only camp site on a lake along a popular route is not a good idea for the simple reason it will likely be taken. Also, IMO, it is rude to base camp at a place like that, it is the only campsite on the lake along the route, let others experience it rather than hog it, especially since you will be fishing, and likely portaging to other lakes, what is the point of staying there if you are not there? It is an over used site and really not all that great for base camping since it will guarantee portaging twice every day to fish. There are plenty of campsites that would be good for base camping on Caribou or Pine, which is likely where they are going to be if on a fishing trip. I can think of one towards the west end of Caribou that has nice grass to set up tents for a good night sleep.