We arrive today in Grand Marais and paddle out Tuesday anyone been on Caribou by Clearwater. Where be the smallies?

Probably along the slowly sloping rocky shorelines and points for the most part. Could also be found in any weedy coves or around down timber.

Surface, crank baits, leeches, plastics.???

You will do fine with throwing top water or sub-surface with soft plastic jerk baits. Shorelines that have been wind blown will probably be good since bait fish will probably be pushed along them.

I agree with QUetico Mike. We exited Quetico paddling out through Mudro five days ago. The smallmouth had just returned to the normal summer patterns QM described in the deeper, clearer lakes.

How long are you going to be on Caribou?

Just came off Basswood. Smallies were on fire. Best bait I used was senko wacky worm rigged with O ring and hook. Weightless and can fish both shallow and down to 5 foot or so. Watermelon color worked best. We caught bass from 1 foot to 5 feet against shore and any suspended rocks. Top water on fire from about 5 to dark. They were basically hitting anything we threw but the wacky worm was easy and very few hang ups. Have fun!

ArkansasMike: "Just came off Basswood. Smallies were on fire. Best bait I used was senko wacky worm rigged with O ring and hook. Weightless and can fish both shallow and down to 5 foot or so. Watermelon color worked best. We caught bass from 1 foot to 5 feet against shore and any suspended rocks. Top water on fire from about 5 to dark. They were basically hitting anything we threw but the wacky worm was easy and very few hang ups. Have fun!"

What colors were they hitting? Headed to Horseshoe later this week! I know HS it quite a bit more stained than basswood, but just checking what the hot color was. Thanks!

I used watermelon with red or black flake. My buddy was using red, white, purple, black and anything else he had. Didn't seem to matter. 5 inch Yamoto worked best as they are a little heavier and easier to cast. Use smaller hook made for wacky worm and O ring to minimize worm lost. My buddy was using regular worm hook and lost 10 times as many worms as me. Surprisingly I only lost 2 hooks the entire week. Unfortunately I went through 40 worms in 3 days!! I also occasionally used a nail weight when I wanted to go a little deeper. Top water action was incredible early 7 to 10 and later 4 to dark. We used whopper ploppers . Good luck!

Thanks! I better pick up more worms! Can't Wait!

If you want to catch smallies right from camp, check out the site with the little island in front of it (not shown on the map here). Third site from the east end. We consistently caught smallies wading knee deep and just throwing out a slip bobber and leech, including my biggest ever.

We also had very good luck on the southern point at the narrows across from the longest Clearwater portage, just drifting and vertical jigging, also with a leech. Lots of action.

Nothing better than being able to catch quality fish right from camp:)