Advise on canoe fishing.

[Grmpy]

Hey guys, just bought a new to me canoe, its a mad river adventure 14. Going fishing on Sunday. Looking for a few lakes that are recommended this time of year as I have only shore fished at a few spots around here.

Was thinking upper or lower Kannanaskis although I have not had any luck shore fishing here so not sure) or maybe Chain lakes. Is chain lakes still being stocked?

We plan on being where ever it is were going right at sunrise so hopefully there won't be too many people and it wont be over crowded with bigger boats making awakes.

Interested in any type of fish for now, I live in Calgary so I'll say within the 2 hour limit. Keeping a couple for dinner would be nice but not necessary. Bait bans don't bother me but I would like to catch a few.

So a big thank you to anyone who feels like giving their 2 cents, and happy fishing!

[boroumand8]

Buffalo lake narrows is an excellent place for canoe fishing. Lots of huge pike there.

[Red Bullets]

I can only advise you to always wear your PFD. And secure your valuables in the canoe. I say this because I once dumped a canoe without my PFD on and it was really challenging to put it on once I was in the water. I was solo in the canoe too. It was a calm day on calm water and I sort of lifted my rear to re-adjust and over it went. And my tackle and other gear was at the bottom (about 7 ft) of the lake instantly. I was fortunate that a ski boat full of 20 yr. olds noticed and came to help. A young guy got his goggles on and swam down to retrieve my tackle box and other gear while we flipped the canoe over and I carried on my way and they went their way. One thing I was lucky with was I didn't loose my eyeglasses. A good headstrap for eyeglasses, if you wear any, is a good precaution to take too.

And I do have years of experience canoeing solo or with a friend and it took that incident to remind me of being diligent on every trip. Even moreso when on mountain lakes where the water is colder.

Sorry for sounding like a Dad giving a lecture. I gave my 2 cents worth.

Enjoy the fishing.

[Dale S]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

I can only advise you to always wear your PFD. And secure your valuables in the canoe. I say this because I once dumped a canoe without my PFD on and it was really challenging to put it on once I was in the water. I was solo in the canoe too. It was a calm day on calm water and I sort of lifted my rear to re-adjust and over it went. And my tackle and other gear was at the bottom (about 7 ft) of the lake instantly. I was fortunate that a ski boat full of 20 yr. olds noticed and came to help. A young guy got his goggles on and swam down to retrieve my tackle box and other gear while we flipped the canoe over and I carried on my way and they went their way. One thing I was lucky with was I didn't loose my eyeglasses. A good headstrap for eyeglasses, if you wear any, is a good precaution to take too.

And I do have years of experience canoeing solo or with a friend and it took that incident to remind me of being diligent on every trip. Even moreso when on mountain lakes where the water is colder.
Sorry for sounding like a Dad giving a lecture. I gave my 2 cents worth.

Enjoy the fishing.

This is the best advice you'll get.
One thing to add would be watch the weather.

[aulrich]

+1 on a good paddling PDF I run a yak and it is basically un-sinkable but the PDF stays on. Two folks dies this weekend on McGregor they found a boat with three dogs in it and one of the two expected bodies

One quality of life thing I added to my Yak was an anchor system based on a 50' retractable clothes line I got from Canadian tire. No tangles and deploys in seconds, the best 15$ spent in a while.

Figuring out where rod holders and fish finders go will be an on going thing along with keeping things safe in case of a dump.

[Grmpy]

Thanks guys, I will defiantly be wearing my pfd as I use it to hold my pliers, knife and other gear. Love the pockets haha. I'm not new to canoeing, just the area.

[FCLightning]

Not much to contribute that hasn't been said, but here's hoping you get one that uses you and the canoe for a drag for 10 min. before coming in