Jim's Caviar Camp???

[ssaamm]

Has anyone been to this place. It's located to give access to Dogpaw, Caviar, and some other lakes as well. We are thinking about going there for a quick trip in early July. Just want some action--especially smallies. The price seems pretty reasonable. Your thoughts on the resort, fishing, or anything else would be apprecitated. Thanks

[benelli_dude2002]

I havent been to Jim Caviar Camp but I have been by it a few times. I have a good friend that guides for this place, he takes people on Dogpaw and Caviar. I actually fish Dogpaw qutie a bit but mostly make a day trip since its less than a 2 hr drive. Fish mostly for lakers on both lakes. One day my dad took me to this reef (35ft) on Dogpaw about a month ago and told me that there was smallies in there and he was right. Ended up with 3 nice smallies on tube jigs. Caviar lake is quite a bit bigger than Dogpaw and my buddy told me that there is even walleyes in Caviar, which I didnt know cuz of all the times I fished Dogpaw I never got a walleye. I know for myself I would like to spend a weekend and stay at Jims Camp just so I can get to know Caviar lake a little better. If you plan on getting a guide be sure to ask for Stewart cuz he knows both lakes pretty good. I dont know if this helped any but good luck and let us know how fishing is up there if you go. Be safe! B-dude

[ssaamm]

Thanks for the quick response. I will let you know how we do. I am sure we will mix it up and try for a little bit of everything. With two little kids (that will stay at home) the times for quality fishing time is harder to come by. I was trying to decide on whether to haul my boat up there or not. I have a 17ft crestliner w/ a 90 yamaha. I like the thought of having my own boat. A couple of years ago on Crow/Kakagi I hit a couple of reefs out in the middle of nowhere and dinged the skeg a little bit. My buddy thought we put a hole in the boat and was ready to swim to shore. How is the lake for navigation? reefs? maps? I would rather ding up their boat if it looks dicey, but it sure is more convenient running your own. Thanks again.

[benelli_dude2002]

Hey there! You know to tell you the truth I have never seen a detailed map of Dogpaw or Caviar. I do remember though that there was some tight spots we went thru like between little islands on Caviar. I tracked it on my GPS but somewhere later on I must've erased it cuz that track route is gone. Not sure what to tell you but I know what you mean by taking your own boat especially if you have all the electronics. I know for rentals they would most likely have a like a 16 ft aluminum boat with a 30 or 40 hp. Nothing fancy but they get you around. Hope to make it up there one more time this summer. Good luck! B-dude

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

I've been there a few times but it has been a few years ago. The boys grew up in a town I lived in.

The camp is rustic but nice. Electricity is from their own generators. Smallies will be fun. Totem brings groups over to Dogpaw for smallies. There guides don't really know the lake. Don't follow them. Lake trout are fun and prevelant as well. Watch your depth finder and if you see suspended fish over deep water, stop and jig them up. Heavy jigs with big white tails. Use a snap swivel. Cavier is mostly northerns. You might catch a stray walleye but don't count on it. The smaller portage lakes is where they send you for the walleyes.

As for bringing your boat, I think I would. The boys tend to gouge a renter for dings on the props. They take a poloroid but...

There are no lake maps showing depths. The camp placemat is about as good as your going to get.

[benelli_dude2002]

from what I seen from experience on Caviar and Dogpaw is that Dogpaw has bigger lakers and Caviar has more lakers but just not as big. My dad was up there earlier this year with set lines from shore and they got 11 lakers in about 45 min on Caviar. There is muskies in them lakes too. Careful out there. I seen alot of reefs that were sticking out earlier this year which are now underwater. Good luck! B-dude

[ovechkin]

He was ready to swim to shore? I know Crow is a big lake. That would have taken forever!

[Fishook]

LaPorte: The town you refer to, that would be Waverly, right? That is where I am at. Did you grow up here or just pass through? With regard to the Camp, Jim passed away about two years ago and the camp is primarily run by his boy(s). I have not had a chance to go there but know lots of folks who do. Sounds like it might be a bit on the rustic side but it keeps drawing folks back.

[ssaamm]

He is quite an athlete, and the swim to shore would have been no problem. Kind of reminds of Greg Louganis in the water

[LaPorte_MN_IA]

Yep! W/SR Lived in Waverly 1987 - 1998. Worked at Hobson Bros in SR. Played rugby too! First went to Canada & Jim's with Steve Downing.