We had plans for Kelly Lake but my buddy switched it to Homer cuz he hasn't been to that area. I was there once, about 40 years ago and don't remember much. This will be a relaxing trip, finding a site we like and setting up camp for 2-4 days, maybe move once. DNR census numbers for walleyes aren't good at all but I have read many trip reports with pretty good luck for numbers and some decent fish. Between Homer, Pipe and Vern Lakes, which would you focus on for eyes? Any other fishing tips? Is there a particular campsite that stands out on one of the lakes? Not much permit activity for our entry period, hoping it will be quiet. Early July. Thx.

I sort of like targeting lakes which have "nominal" populations of walleye. I get bored rather quickly catching eater size walleye. I figure in lakes which aren't covered up with average size fish I can more easily focus on Mr Big and fish accordingly. Keeping intensity up can be hard without lots of bites but when the bite comes it might be the fish of a lifetime. Can't help with anything else as I have never been there. Good Luck!

Hey Lindy...... glad you are getting a trip in!!

That's where I went on my short solo in May the weekend in between Fishing Opener and Memorial Day. Small lakes, short portages, and it was a very quiet area. I didn't see a single person, but I didn't catch many fish. The most Eastern site on Pipe is the nicest one on Pipe and I caught smallies and northern from the campsite. The Eastern site on Vern is the nicest site in the area. On Homer the two sites outside the bwca are nicer than the one inside the bwca.

I really enjoyed the area even though I didn't do well fishing. I paddled down the Vern River for an hour and then turned back late afternoon the day I camped on Vern. I wish I would have had more time to venture further. It was a pretty paddle and it looked very moosey with lots of games trails leading to the water.

Pipe campsite......

Vern campsite.....


Hey, I'm heading to Caribou from Clearwater soon with big duckling. Any info for me that's not in your trip report? 1. on portage to Caribou take left at first Y and right at the 2nd Y ;) 2. visit Johnson Falls. 3. slip bobber w/leech on the eastern end of Caribou for walleye and smallies. 4. I'm going to skip over the 1st three sites (they have the logging camp trail connecting them) and hope for the middle site or one of the 2 down at the eastern end.

I know this is off track but if you haven't, listen to the Tumblehome podcast on Caribou. More info than you'll ever need on that lake, and others if you listen to other episodes. That's right in their backyard.

Ducks, thanks for the info. Looking forward to our trip. Hoping to find enough walleyes for one night's dinner, and some interesting scenes and subjects for the many photos I am sure I will take.

The Clearwater to Caribou portage is shown as splitting on the map and taking the first left is easy. We did not know about another split in the trail further on so we took the left trail which proved to be the wrong choice. It ran along a ridge along the north shore of caribou and we eventually ended up right behind the first campsite. I think this might be the logging trail you refer to. At the second split, take the right fork and it should bring you right to the portage landing.

We stayed at a campsite that for some reason is not shown on the map here. It was a ways west of the most easterly portage from Clearwater and had a small island in front of it. We thought it was a great site and wading knee deep and casting a slip bobber and leech out towards the island yielded us many nice smallies, including my biggest ever. I love it when you can have good fishing right from camp. We also had good luck fishing the point at the mid lake narrows, lots of action and good size too. We used both a slip bobber and vertical jigging as we drifted along the point.

Johnson Falls...well worth the effort. Nice little daytrip of a couple hours travel time. On the western end of Pine Lake you should be able to see a vague trail. We just pulled up our canoes there and took this somewhat overgrown trail for about 10-15 minutes and eventually came out at Johnson Falls. Remember there are two sets of falls there. A great swimming hole at the base of the first falls. Across the bay from where you come in on Pine is the end of the arduous Canoe Lake to Pine Lake portage and is another place you could park the canoes. A short trail from there connects up to the trail to Johnson Falls.

I am sure you know about the 5 star campsite on Little Caribou lake. Kind of a risk to go there because if it is occupied you would have to backtrack to Caribou. But if you get it you will love it and be the only ones on that cool little lake.

Tried to email you this instead of posting but couldn't get it to work. Have a great trip.

Thanks Lindy....... much appreciated. Have fun on your trip.

Cyclones30...... thanks for the podcast info. Definitely going to listen to that. I have looked at the detailed info on their website about the campsites on Caribou.

If you want to catch walleyes, go to Pipe (the big one...I think it's West Pipe). I'm not saying anything more. :)