Fishing from a Canoe in Beautiful Missouri

There is a reason why they call Missouri the Show Me State, the beautiful lakes, streams and rivers have much to show to its visitors.  One of the best ways for fishermen to experience these bodies of water and waterways in Missouri is by canoe.  Many people find that this is the only way to fish in the Show Me State.

Experienced fishermen know the many advantages of fishing from a canoe in Missouri.  Canoes are light and portable which makes them a fantastic choice for those fishermen that like to throw a pole in the water in some of the more remote Missouri backwaters.  Even if one is not into fishing in the more remote areas of Missouri they are great to fish from in many of the smaller winding rivers that branch across the state.

Comfort is one thing that a person does not have to sacrifice when fishing from a canoe.  Outfitting a canoe with a portable foam pad or padded seat cushions is a smart way to make the fishing more comfortable.  The extra padding comes in handy when fishing for long periods of time, no matter if one is kneeling on the bottom of the canoe or sitting on the bench seats.  By adding this type of basic equipment can save one from those minor aches and pains at the end of the day, since standing in a canoe is not an option because of the increased risk of capsizing.

All the fishing gear that one needs to bring along in a canoe to help catch the “big one” should be strapped down.  Having ropes, bungee cords and carabineers will help to keep the fishing gear in place in case the canoe gets swamped with water or capsizes.  Nothing is more aggravating then losing a tackle box with your favorite lures at the bottom of river or lake while that huge Largemouth Bass gets away.

One of the most popular game fish that many fishermen are seeking to catch is the bass.  The Black Bass can be found in almost all of the waters throughout the state of Missouri.  This family of fish includes the Largemouth, Spotted, Smallmouth and the Kentucky Bass.  The Smallmouth Bass is found more among the depths of the rivers and streams in Missouri while the other species of bass can be caught in the many lakes that dot the Missouri landscape.

Crappies are members of the Sunfish family and are abundant in almost all of the Missouri lakes and ponds.  It is common to see many fishermen with their canoes loaded with Crappie after only a few hours of fishing.  Not only is this fish abundant in Missouri

Waters, it is one of the easier species of fish to catch.  One does not need any fancy fishing equipment; a fishing pole with a bobber and a worm can usually catch an abundant amount of these tasty fish.  Be sure to make yourself familiar with the limit that can be caught on a daily basis.

Catfish, Bluegill, Trout, Walleye and White Bass are many of the common species of fish that swim among the waterways of Missouri also, and are just begging to be caught.  The lures and baits that these fish are attracted to vary from species to species and from season to season.  Fishermen that are after Catfish for instance find that chicken livers or one of the commercial stink baits works best for catching these bottom feeders.  Those that are after Bluegill swears by crickets and worms are the only two baits to use.

Whichever game fish is sought after, those fishermen that fish from a canoe have many advantages over those in the fancy bass boats.  A canoe is small enough that one can transport it in a car and do not need a truck to haul it on a trailer.  There is no need for a boat ramp to slip a canoe into the water.  With the waterways of Missouri having various depths, larger boats cannot be launched in shallow waters like a canoe.  Canoes can be used in many remote fishing areas of the Show Me State.  Since there is no motor on a canoe, one does not have to worry about running out of gas and makes this type of fishing vessel an environmentally friendly boat.  With no motor, a canoe is almost silent when it glides through the water and does not scare the fish off like a motorized boat.

Using a canoe to explore the abundant fishing areas throughout Missouri is a unique way to enjoy this popular American pastime.  The lakes, ponds, rivers and streams have some of the best fishing in the Midwest.  With many of the waterways being canoe friendly, one can enjoy the best of what Missouri fishing has to offer from this environmentally water vessel.