I love my boat in so many ways. It’s equipped with state of the art technology and a gas motor. Plus it’s incredibly stable and handles rough water well. Not to mention it has nice seats. Of course the disadvantage is that I can only fish when it’s road accessible. We have so many road accessible lakes with amazing fishing but there is something special about fishing the backcountry where only small watercraft can make it.
Benefits of the Canoe
Fishing is often meant to be relaxing and being one with nature. While that seems like a good reason to go fishing, other people have that mentality as well. We have all had our moments with other anglers at times. Others think that their idea of relaxing at the lake involves driving a ski boat around the lake. Soon the lake becomes stormy without a wind. It’s hard to feel you’re in the outdoors in these conditions.
The backcountry has none of that. There are very few people in the backcountry to begin with and they likely are canoeing, kayaking or using low horsepower boats. Even when you do run into people in the backcountry, they are often likeminded people who also want to be in a quiet environment. Their etiquette is more likely to be decent and they will be pleasant to deal with. I’ve rarely had a bad encounter with someone in the backcountry.
Being in a canoe really does feel like going back in time. Unlike a boat, there are no motors or graphs. It’s almost just you and the fish. Sometimes it does feel good to rely purely on fishing instinct. That being said, generally backcountry fishing is really good. The fish have no pressure unlike road access lakes and you can get away with imperfect skills and presentation. Some of my best days fishing have been in the backcountry.
Canoeing Basics
I will admit, I’m not typically organizing the logistics of canoe trips. I typically do this with my sister who is much better at backpacking than I am. Sometimes that’s the price of devoting all your skills into fishing. That being said I can offer what knowledge I can based on the trips that we went on.
Definitely go on some small scale canoe trips first. Try to learn how to pick up a canoe for portaging. Definitely come up with a system that allows for efficient portaging. Some people add rod holders or straps to their canoes to carry rods and paddles during the portage. Put as much gear as possible in backpacks. Wear lifejackets to avoid carrying them. Though if you’re taking camping gear for an overnight, it’s likely you will have to backtrack for the gear.
One thing I find is that footwear can be a bit of a hassle. Sandals or watershoes are great to have to step in water if needed however they can cause blisters on the portage. Shoes are more comfortable but you can’t step in water. Some carry both but it’s more weight to carry.
One thing to consider is some sort of anchor. Carrying an actual anchor is a bit of a chore so consider an onion bag with a rope. You can just find some rocks at your destination and fill the bag temporarily.
Fishing from a Canoe
Traveling to the backcountry is all about being a minimalist. Obviously due to space limitations and lack of motor, you will have to pack light. Depending on your target species, pack a few basic lures into a tackle tray that can fit into a backpack. I would definitely get jigs and plastics as they take up little room and are versatile for fishing any part of the water column. You can troll but it might be difficult to maintain a consistent speed and it can get exhausting.
Often when going into the backcountry, you will not have a whole lot of information on the lakes. So it’s best to prowl the shorelines slowly and cast constantly. You will not have electronics but reading the shoreline and seeing weeds will help. Generally weedlines for all species are a pretty good spot all year round as they provide ambush points and shade.
Get Out There!
Oftentimes I stare at satellite maps looking at remote lakes in my spare time. The vast amount of relatively untouched waters always stirs the imagination. The few times I’ve actually tried to get into the bush have been really rewarding. It really reminds us that paradise is there, it just takes some effort.
So maybe consider getting a canoe and check out the wilderness someday. It’s an experience that all anglers should try at some point.
