John Lake to Clearwater Lake

Overview

The John Lake to Clearwater Lake route begins and ends at Entry Point 69 on John Lake, in the Gunflint District. It's a loop: portages carry paddlers south through East Pike, West Pike, and Clearwater Lakes to a turn at Caribou Lake, then the route swings north through Little Caribou and Pine Lakes to McFarland Lake before closing the circuit at the landing.

East Pike Lake runs deep and clear, dropping to 40 feet, with smallmouth bass that grow larger than average and northern pike up to 44 inches. West Pike Lake goes deeper, to 120 feet, holding native lake trout and outsized burbot in the cold water below; every portage in or out is difficult, so the lake stays quieter than its size would suggest. Clearwater Lake opens up bigger than either, deep and open rather than broken into bays, and allows small outboards near its landing before the loop turns back to paddle-only water. Pine Lake, met on the return leg, is the biggest water on the loop, holding walleye and lake trout, with a hiking trail off its western end climbing to Johnson Falls.

Every portage out to Caribou Lake is rated difficult, then the route trades that for a string of short, easy carries coming back through Little Caribou and McFarland Lakes — one demanding stretch, one easy one, rather than a steady grind. Four to six days leaves room to slow down on the bigger lakes rather than treating the loop as a straight push.

Route Highlights

• East Pike Lake's smallmouth bass and northern pike up to 44 inches
• West Pike Lake's native lake trout, reached only by demanding portages that keep the lake quiet
• Clearwater Lake allows small outboards near its landing before the loop turns back to paddle-only water
• Johnson Falls, a two-tiered waterfall reached by a hiking trail off Pine Lake
• The return leg trades the outbound's difficult portages for a string of short, easy carries through Little Caribou and McFarland Lakes