My buddies and I are taking our sons to the BWs for their first trip over memorial day weekend. We've got our permit all lined up to go in Saturday morning at EP 62. I know it's not ideal to go in Saturday and not Friday, but that's life. Anyway, we're hoping to get a site on Caribou, but if they're all taken we may have to find one on Pine.

Does anyone have any basic tips on where to find walleyes or smallies that time of year on those two lakes? None of us have ever been there, and with only two days to fish, and little kids, we won't have a ton of time to learn the lake and find a pattern. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

WV

I’ve not fished these lakes but that time of year you need to be shallow. I’ll be fishing the ely side same time and I’ll be fishing in less than 4 feet of water in the evenings. The one thing that you should do is take the kiddos to Johnson falls! I’ve brought my kids there in the summer to swim at the falls. It’s a special place in the BW.

I have only fished the eastern end of Caribou but the narrows about 2/3 of the way down the lake is a good spot - fish the point on the southern side. Also, a little further east there is a small island off the northern shore, right in front of a campsite, that is also a good spot. Nice site too.







The island

There are several shallow humps on the western side of Caribou as well as a small stream entering on the south side. The east side is shallower and has weed growth. I would hit all these areas and the pinch point Lindylair has mentioned.

Try listening to the Tumblehome podcast

Episode 6 covers Caribou, Episode 10 covers Pine Lake, and Episode 16 was the fishing opener for 2018 (Lots of Caribou lake mentions). I will also be there in this time frame. Tumblehome podcast .

Thanks for the advice everyone! Eager to listen to those podcasts

mike2019: "Try listening to the Tumblehome podcast


Episode 6 covers Caribou, Episode 10 covers Pine Lake, and Episode 16 was the fishing opener for 2018 (Lots of Caribou lake mentions). I will also be there in this time frame. Tumblehome podcast . "

Great podcast! Just what I did and didn't need. Great info, but now I'm super excited to go and will get nothing done at work, lol.

I would fish the points on the west end of Pine like crazy. Try all depths from just off shore to 20+ feet of water. Sometimes in really clear lakes like Pine, the walleye will be a little deeper and come up shallow to feed. Also, on the west end of Pine where the creek/river flows into Pine from Johnson Falls would be the first place I would fish. You’ll probably slaughter the smallies there too. About Pine, I've heard numerous people say the same thing about Pine's walleye population... lower total numbers, but size is well above average.

Here’s a video of my trip to Pine last year if you’re interested. East Side July loop

Tony

anthonyp007: "Also, on the west end of Pine where the creek/river flows into Pine from Johnson Falls would be the first place I would fish. You’ll probably slaughter the smallies there too.


Here’s a video of my trip to Pine last year if you’re interested. East Side July loop


Tony "

+1!!

Yeah I would just head right there, nonstop smallmouth action.