As fellow Minnesotans Calvin and I will secretly pride ourselves in knowing more about canoes than the average person. Granted, we would never say that out loud but a casual glance into backyards across the state will reveal that we have an inordinate love for canoes. And there are good ones and bad ones. Generally I agree with Calvin but not entirely…

Weight and material type are the largest concern for me. Many on here are recommending canoes that weigh >70 lbs. That’s fine if you can dump the canoe from the back of your truck into the river/lake/pond. Keeping the weight to 60 lbs max will make for a much nicer canoe. Royalex is a great material and I would recommend a canoe made from it.

Unlike Calvin I don’t think a wider canoe is better. Unless you like the undeniable feeling of paddling (or rowing!) a refrigerator. Keeping it to 30” wide is fine. On a hot summer day learn the limits of your canoe and you’ll never want for a more stable platform.

There are several models of canoes that are designed as either solo or tandem canoes and I think they are in the 15’ range. Keel or keel less? If you’re on a river the keel doesn’t do much for you. If lakes are more your destination then a keel will help, especially if you insist on rowing.

In my opinion the Prospector design in 16ft. Length is the best all around canoe ever produced. Has stood the test of time. It literally does everything well.

Aluminum is nice. I like the Grumman but they are cold, noisy and attracted to rocks.

x2

I have 2 ABS Royalex Old Town's, 1) 14' Camper, easy to handle solo for the same things you want it for, and a Tripper, 17 ', for 2 man, longer trips with extra gear, traps etc. I also use a double blade kayak paddle solo, really helps keep moving. Foam filled hull is it's own flotation, can be rigged with an outrigger thing for a small motor.
A little spendy, but well worth the price IMO.