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Home > Learn to Fish & Boat > How To Fish > Types of Fishing > Canoe Fishing
If you like the serenity of remote waterways and the simplicity of angling with just the basics, canoe fishing may be your new favorite pastime. You can fish from a canoe in freshwater rivers, lakes or ponds, and even in saltwater backcountry estuaries. Learn more in this section.
Just think about how much fun it would be to catch smallmouth bass from a canoe on a nearby river, or to see a redfish chase your lure while fishing from a canoe in a quiet saltwater estuary.
There are many advantages to fishing from a canoe. Many of the latest fishing canoe models can be easily outfitted with comfortable seating, built-in fishing rod holders, and gear storage compartments. While you won't have all the conveniences of a larger boat, such as livewells or built-in electronics, some canoe models do have enough space to mount an electric trolling motor on the back.
Once you have given some thought to your preferred types of fishing methods and spots, you can determine if canoe fishing is a good fit for you. If you don't have an electric trolling motor on your canoe, you will also need to be comfortable with paddling to and from your fishing spots.
Learning how to canoe fish isn't hard. You can even try this type of fishing before you buy a canoe of your own by renting one from a local paddle sports outfitter. Just remember, if you are taking a canoe out on the water for the first time, you'll need to know the U.S. Coast Guard boating safety laws as well as any state laws that apply to canoes. Follow these suggestions on how to canoe fish if you are a beginner.
Once you've fished from a canoe with success, you'll appreciate how easy it is to transport your canoe to different waterways. Use the places to boat and fish map to make a list of spots in your area that are ideal for canoe fishing.
The largemouth bass is the most popular freshwater game fish in the U.S. Learn more about how you can identify a largemouth bass, where to catch it and what bait and lures to use.
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