I’m thinking of taking a church group up to West Pike or Alder (Canoe, Crystal).

Scenery is the priority for most but fishing is the priority of at least a ? of the group.

Which lake would you go and why? Also, if there is another lake near those that you would recommend were game for that too.

Thanks,
CV

Presuming Johnson Falls is a priority....

Ideally, I'd try for the eastern site on Crystal; which is the most scenic (imho) of the cluster of lakes south of Pine Lake. However, I'd also be hard pressed to by pass camping on Canoe Lake if either of the 2 western most sites are available when passing through, to avoid potentially finding Cystal is already occupied. You could then just hike the beastly portage from Canoe - Pine and continue all the way to Johnson Falls without having to bring the kitchen sink. Also, Spaulding Lake cabin & mine is another interesting side trip.

West Pike is a gorgeous body of water, Gogebic Lake is a personal favorite and the Border Route Trail also provides some stunning scenery but, the portages in/out are quite difficult- from a bwca perspective. Plus, the Clearwater- Caribou portage is no cake walk either. Clearwater permits (if you want to enter from there)are also tough to come by. Even though getting to Johnson Falls would be a workout from here, this is the area I would choose to camp.



Either way is good, just depends how much you want to portage?

We did a loop from Clearwater two years ago: two nights on Pine (site #731) and two nights on West Pike (site #726). Easy access to Johnson Falls from Pine, fishing was decent in late August on both lakes. Very scenic on the entire loop. Didn't make it down to Alder or Canoe but can highly recommend West Pike. Saw very few people on West Pike although getting to Johnson Falls would be a more difficult than from the southern lakes. We also went the Mountain Lake overlook on the Border Route Trail.

Both of those reviews sound enticing.

Forgive me for asking but how bear active are either of those areas. Up until last fall I didn’t care. But we had to close of an encounter and to many bears for comfort, so yeah…

Also, where is the Mountain Lake overlook?

The Pike Lakes are beautiful and remote feeling but the portages are longish and somewhat challenging. Certainly nothing wrong with that option but it will be more work.

Another option is what we did out of Clearwater which brought us to Alder. Did not go east of there and were unfortunately windbound so didn't get to appreciate this beautiful lake. What it did allow for was time spent on Caribou Lake which is a beautiful lake and arguably the best fishing lake in this area. Also a short and easy daytrip to Johnson Falls which is definitely the highlight of the area. South from there to Alder, west to takeout at Flour Lake and a short hike back to the car which we really enjoyed.

Here is a trip report if it is something of interest:

Clearwater to Alder and back

Whatever you decide...enjoy.

Didn't have any bear issues two years ago.

Mountain Lake overlook (from there you can go to the location on the map)

You can access the BRT from the portage between Clearwater and Mountain. Go west along BRT for maybe half mile? It wasn't far and a fairly easy hike. Was a good lunch spot.

I can only speak to the Alder side but I will heavily endorse. I've been in the area twice in the last ~8 years, entering from East Bearskin. Tuscarora Borealis knows his stuff, as usual, there's not much I can say that he didn't already!

Johnson Falls is actually Upper and Lower Johnson falls! I missed the upper falls the first time I was there, it's just a little further on with a pretty pond at the top. When you do visit the falls please put all your gear/canoes plenty out of the way while you hike over to see the falls. Lots of groups like to see this waterfall and it can get very congested at the Pine lake landing.

If you do go with the Alder side don't miss the Spaulding cabin! It was an adventure for our group to find the cabin but if you educate yourself on it's location better than we did you should be fine.

Caribou was BUSY when I was there but all the sites are good if you can get one. Travel early! Alder is full of nice sites and Canoe has a couple nice ones as well. I've never stayed on Crystal but IIRC both sites are pretty small and on a slope. I wouldn't bring a big group with tents in there.

Fishing on Canoe was bad for me and others. You should be able to pull a walleye dinner out of any other lake in the area, though. Lakers in Pine, Clearwater, West Pike, Alder, Crystal and all of the border lakes. They stock Brookies in Bench, just above Spaulding, Gogebic, just below West Pike and both Vale and Gadwall just south of Pine.