Most specifically, if there are campsites in the southern part of Dibble or Smirch lakes.

Jim Clark (retired, formerly of Canoe Canada) would know.  As of 2016 Shane had taken over as the canoeing outfitter.  He might know - so you could ask & you might get an answer, or you might only get info if you're renting something from them...

Tom

Hey Tom!

I rented from Canoe Canada last year and went into White Otter when Q closed. Jeremy at Canoe Canada was very, very helpful, but no one seems to know if there are campsites in the southern half of Dibble or Smirch. High winds kept us from investigating. My bunch is headed back there this year, but so far, no one seems to know much about those particular areas..

Ditto what goblu79 said. I did a White Otter trip last summer when BWCA and Quetico were shut down for fires. My map shows two campsites in Smirch near the middle of the lake, both on islands (the southeast end of the large island and one on the small island to the west of it). I have several marked on Dibble, mostly in the north and northeast parts. There looks to be one on a mid-sized island about 2 KM north and 0.5 KM east of the southernmost part of Dibble. Coordinates about N49 10.996 W92 03.415. I did not stay at either one so cannot vouch for the quality. You do have the option to camp anywhere, though.

Park personnel actually told me I couldn't camp anywhere

not sure if anyone will even see this as this forum seems to be pretty inactive these days but i am curious why most of the info i seem to find about travelling to white otter castle is via the turtle river instead of from the south end of clearwater lake.
looking at the map it seems it would a much more straight forward journey from clearwater.
perhaps people just want the adventure of going in using the river? or is there a reason coming up from clearwater is not the best choice?
thx
rick

I found a website where you can download a PDF that shows canoe routes thru-out White Otter,
You have to join the site to be able to access the PDF.

These are routes used by the Northern Tier Boy Scouts.

It shows the length of the trip, estimated paddle time
and even better the MAPS you need to do each trip 8-)

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  There is one lodge on Clearwater Lake. They are open all year long. They should be able to give you some good info.

A couple of those canoe routes start/end on Clearwater lake. That's nice if your solo or don't want to schedule a pick-up or have a 2nd vehicle at end point?

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Pascanell and I spent a week paddling up to Sandford and back several years ago (2008'ish).  We started and ended at Dashwa.  Awesome fishing on many of the smaller lakes. 

I have tripped twice into White Otter now, both times from the Hwy 622 put in. Once all the way round to Clearwater West..once out to Dibble then back to the bridge put in. Fishing was excellent. I do not recommend paddling from Smirch to Bending Lake through the rapids when the water is 3-4 feet higher than normal......Back  to the Q for us this year though.

As to why people might put in at the 622 bridge instead of Clearwater,  if the wind is up, and it seems to be high an inordinate amount of time in that park, Clearwater West and White Otter are not fun to paddle. You can manage it though from the river side.