If you were to go in at Clearwater you don't have to go all the way to Pine, Caribou Lake is a very good fishing lake with some nice campsites. And Little Caribou has a 5 star site and reportedly good fishing too. You would have the lake to yourself if you got this popular campsite.
Other thoughts...
Poplar to Meeds Lake, very good smallie lake and decent walleye too. Can take the long portage from Poplar or go down through Lizz, Caribou and down the little creek into Meeds. Time wise, not sure, that may take a little longer but its easier.
Rockwood Lodge is a popular outfitter on the north shore of Poplar Lake that could get you set up.
Slim Lake out of Ely, one super easy portage into Slim and 3 campsites to choose from. A coworker was there this fall and said it was smallie heaven, also has eyes and pike. Outfitters nearby.
Homer Lake entry off the Sawbill Trail. Nearest outfitters would be Sawbill Lodge itself or Sawtooth Outfitters on Hwy 61 in Tofte, right before you make the turn. They will throw the canoe on the car for you and you're off. Was there this summer and camped on Vern lake, right across from the mouth of the Vern River. Caught lots of fish right from camp including eyes and some very nice smallies. You can go up the Vern River easily quite a ways and the fishing was awesome for both smallies and eyes. You can pull over on the Vern River in several spots and cast from shore and have good luck too. Easy portages from Homer to Vern.
My buddy and a Vern River smallie
A smallie I caught right from camp
Typical Vern River scene...there are several narrows and we caught fish around everyone of them