Heading in Friday morning through Homer and camping somewhere in the area.
DNR census numbers are bleak for walleyes but they are all pretty old. I know I have read of some folks having luck on eyes in the area so I believe they are there. Anyone have any firsthand knowledge of the opportunity for walleyes and a general area or lake to focus on? Plan on a trip up the Vern River too and I hear there might be some spots up there too? Favorite campsites? Thx.

I camped on Juno on the site on the west end in about 2004. Without much trying, I got a 2 lb walleye. Homer's survey is 2016 and looks good, and I would bet Pipe would have them despite the survey back in 1975. I would doubt this area sees a lot of fishing pressure due to young forests after a burn in about 1995.
You have to take these surveys with a grain of salt. Conditions for surveying are difficult. Fish, especially minnows of game fish migrate up rivers and creeks in high water. What contained only northerns and perch in 1975 might have bass and walleyes in 2018. Good luck LL.

Vern is loaded with walleyes. I prefer the campsite on point by whack portage. Good shore fishing for eyes in the evening on slip bobber. Any rifle on the Vern river will hold tons of eyes. Go past big downed tree on river first rifle is a honey hole and can be fished from shore. See video below that's the spot. Leeches will increase your success big time. If you don't go through whack the pools below each portage are also loaded with eyes.


For numbers you won't find a better smallie lake than pipe. Eyes can be hard to find on pipe but they average better size. East pipe has lots of walleyes as well you'll have fun.
Vern river

Size is not good for anything on Juno.

Lindy....great info from FF. The campsite he referenced is the one I told you I liked. His video gives you a good view of what the trip down the river looks like. You don't see the big tree in his video because he's on the back side of it, but you will know it when you see it. I was only on Vern 1 night and wish I would have had more time to fish it.

The Big Pipe (I think it's West?) has tremendous walleye fishing....with some big fish in there, too. I didn't really fish Vern much, though now I wish I would have. :)

I 2nd this...Vern is a fantastic walleye lake. I would however add that Juno is also a fantastic walleye lake and the size is there too if the stars align. I have passed through and camped on Juno on several occasions and one time caught 15+ fish over 22" casting deep cranks into the blowdowns on the west side of the lake in the narrows. LLK

Hey Lindylair,
Would love to hear about your trip through Homer. Have an interest in this area for next year. Hope you had a great time!

Trip report posted...lots of details and photos

Great area

Homer Lake July 2018

Nice photos!
I forgot about the drainage at that site.

Great trip report! Sounds like an area I need to try. Is this area conducive to hammock camping? In my old age I've left the ground for the trees.

Great report, lindylair. Looks like you had a great trip! Thanks for sharing.