Hi friends,

I will be heading up to Clearwater, Mountain, and Caribou lakes off the Gunflint in the first week of August. Any tips on fishing those lakes? I would love to catch walleye but would be happy catching anything. Still learning how to fish in BWCA so any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

Just exited that area last Friday. We took Clearwater to Mountain portage for lunch and photos at Watap-Mountain portage last Thursday. Fished Mountain on the return to Clearwater portage for a while. Non-stop smallmouth action in bay immediately south of Watap portage along shoreline. Really didn’t matter where we threw, but downed trees next to shore produced biggest fish. Same was true in bay at Mountain-Clearwater portage. We used Mepps spinners and various shallow diving Raps. It didn’t seem to matter that day. Not sure if you are heading to Pine (would recommend for Johnson Falls experience) but if so we had good success with smallmouth off campsite 729 (second campsite from west) in between shore and island. Again spinners and Raps produced fish, with biggest coming from leeches and slip bobbers. Caribou was pass through lake for us, but did manage small pike (spinner) on a stop. Saw and heard a group catch fish (could not tell species) on south side of Caribou where stream enters lake - due south of campsite No. 4. Also, check with the guys at Clearwater - good guys and will pass along good info. Hope that helps and good luck!!

Stated on Clearwater a couple years ago.
Caught smallmouth and trout on Clearwater with one trout over 20 lbs. We only caught small to medium smallmouth on mountain lake.
Caught of bunch of nice smallmouth and walleye on caribou.
There are no walleye in Clearwater or Mountain lakes.

2x post

Fantastic, thank you so much for the info! How was the smoke up there? Sounds like smallmouth are what we should be targeting on Mountain. Just curious what size and color spinners you were using? Think I only have 1 spinner- time to beef up the tackle box and might as well stock up on whatever was working for you, thank you!!

Captn Tony,

Thanks for the info, good to know we will not be looking for walleye on Clearwater or Mountain. How did you manage to catch that size lake trout? Think we would have a chance during early August? If so- what should we use to give us a chance? Thanks much

We were using Mepps Aglia 1/4oz in crawfish and silver/white. Also used plain white Rooster tail spinners also 1/4oz. Going bigger is not going to hurt. My 12 year old had a blast (as I did) watching the fish chase lure back to canoe. I’ll have to look at the Raps we used that were also productive, but they were the shallow divers.

We spoke to a group that stayed on Mountain and they also reported excellent smallmouth fishing.

Smoke/haze was interesting during our stay. Was present in early mornings and late evenings, but not noticeable during the day. Perhaps that was due to my attention on other surroundings, but only really noticed it in mornings and evenings. Further only a night or two where we had a noticeable smoke smell.

Enjoy as it is a very nice area!!

Fishman53, thanks again!

Is this the kind of spinner you mean? Do you put anything on the treble hooks?

https://www.amazon.com/Mepps-B3S-Treble-4-Ounce-Silver/dp/B00144ASKS/ref=pd_di_sccai_5/131-5321445-4548619?pd_rd_w=4spbD&pf_rd_p=c9443270-b914-4430-a90b-72e3e7e784e0&pf_rd_r=T61NNTSFB39QRPNZ7Q5D&pd_rd_r=375d7f76-a12f-4a66-a271-46089eaae3ef&pd_rd_wg=4bSXN&pd_rd_i=B00144ASKS&psc=1

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/mepps-aglia-dressed-spinner?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Shop%7CCAB%7CTopPerformers%7CFishing&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkpCr5MD68QIVLGxvBB0Q5wJuEAQYASABEgKKUfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I was unable to open your link, but here is one from Cabelas.

Hopefully I have uploaded a pic of the spinners. Mepps 2 and Rooster tail - as you can see both have very little skirt left from all the action. Mepps 5 is the biggest one.

Raps.

Last one.

And no we did not put anything (assuming u mean worms, etc) on trebles.

Excellent, I will pick up a few of each. Thanks again!

I will give you some intel on Clearwater Smallmouth Bass spots. Fish the North side of the lake on the many points. They all hold bass like crazy. I had two 100 fish days there. Get some Mepps #2 and #3 spinners. Also look on Google earth and find the sunken island on the east bay of the lake. You can see it as a lighter area. Fish the sunken island by anchoring right on top and cast out to the deeper water. I’ve heard Mountain has Lakers.

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "Captn Tony,


Thanks for the info, good to know we will not be looking for walleye on Clearwater or Mountain. How did you manage to catch that size lake trout? Think we would have a chance during early August? If so- what should we use to give us a chance? Thanks much"

My brother caught it with a white musky swim bait on the bottom. I believe it was North of the palisades. The lure looks like a huge shimishad.

just got back from north fowl, moose, mountain, Clearwater, caribou, pine. alot of small mouths. I unfortunately did not get any Lakers. I ran a gold hammered doctor spoon with a 3oz weight. the wind did not cooperate so I didn't get alot of morning and evening fishing in. good luck!

This is all fantastic info- thank you! I have stocked up all the recommendations here and sounds like bass are the main target. Is there a good size bass that is better eating than others? I know bass might not be as good as walleye, etc but I filleted one awhile back and it was just fine.

We may also be heading towards Deer/Moon area, any advice there? Also- I hear there may be walleye on Caribou, think we have a shot at that at all?

Is it worth carrying in leeches for anything or just stick to the spinners, etc mentioned here?

WanderingWoodsmanMN: "This is all fantastic info- thank you! I have stocked up all the recommendations here and sounds like bass are the main target. Is there a good size bass that is better eating than others? I know bass might not be as good as walleye, etc but I filleted one awhile back and it was just fine.


We may also be heading towards Deer/Moon area, any advice there? Also- I hear there may be walleye on Caribou, think we have a shot at that at all?


Is it worth carrying in leeches for anything or just stick to the spinners, etc mentioned here?"

If you decide to fish for walleye or want to fish from camp I recommend taking leaches