The Moderate Size Shallow River

For smallmouth bass and pike fishing, choose a river that has plenty of rocks, light rapids, and twists and turns. Rocks are nearly a guarantee of fish action since the smallmouth's favorite prey, the crawfish, makes their home in the rocks. Also choose a river that you can paddle upstream or easily drag or portage your canoe up against and over rapids.  In my section on River Fishing for Bass, I explain how you fish up a river rather than down. In my experience, fishing low water can produce some of the best smallmouth bass fishing where as moderate water levels tend to produce pike.  I would avoid high water situations altogether - you can't control your canoe well, the water is extremely turbid, and it's just plain dangerous!

For trout fishing, choose a large enough river to float a canoe. Also make sure you can paddle both up and down the river.  You will want to fish up the river rather than down. This must be a river big enough to cast a lure at least 30 feet to the wary trout. 

The Small to Moderate Sized Lake

Here's the problem with very small lakes: 3 people can just about fish the lake out if they put their mind to it.  Here is the solution: Pick lakes that are connected by rivers or streams to other larger lakes or rivers.  Actually, an oxbow off of a larger river will serve as a "lunch room" for the game fish that cruise the river.  The largest pike I ever caught was caught on a lake only a few acres big, but the lake was connected by stream to a much larger lake. You will not want a lake that is crystal clear to depths of 20 feet, but rather pick a lake with clarity down from 2 to 10 feet.  Try to find lakes that are mostly from 8 to 20 feet in depth so that you can get the bait down to where the fish is.   

The Larger Lake or Flowage

The larger lake is not necessarily off limits to a canoe.  You simply must choose a lake that has plenty of  sheltered bays and islands.  Avoid long narrow lakes with several miles of open water such as the one a friend and I never thought we would get off of alive.
 
The lake above is a sample of a lake that would have a shape conducive to canoe fishing. Again, pick a lake that is neither too clear nor too deep.

First time on the lake? - Troll the entire lake shore at least twice.  After several times, you will quickly find the best spots.

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