Caribou Lake

Usual suspects: Walleye, Northern pike, Smallmouth bass, Panfish

Caribou Lake sits about four miles up the hill from Lutsen. It’s the kind of North Shore inland lake people describe with the same look they give a good parking spot. It covers about 728 acres, it’s 30 feet at its deepest, and most of it is shallow enough to grow weeds. That’s exactly why the crayfish are a problem here.

The DNR manages Caribou for walleye that reproduce on their own, with no stocking. In its 2022 survey the walleye catch met the agency’s goal, and so did the pike catch, including some pike in the 24- to 25-inch range. Smallmouth have lived here since at least the early ’80s. The same survey turned up one fish close to 19 inches, which the DNR took as a sign the lake can produce the occasional trophy. Crappies and bluegills show up too, just never in big numbers. We’re not inventing a hot spot. Real reports go in Reports, and the rusty crayfish crew gets its due in Stories.

What’s happening

We are watching the calendar. Nothing on the books for this water that we can stand behind. When a real lake day shows up, it will land here — not a daydream with a date slapped on it. See all of Events.

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