For those of you who water trap, do you so from a canoe? I'm thinking of getting a 12 foot aluminum, in creeks I may just wade along and pull the boat to hold traps, critters and tools etc. Appreciate any thoughts and advice .

My 17' Osage aluminum did well for me. No motor = no state permission slip

I like my old Grumman canoe and planning to do the same thing that you mentioned this year.

I float my ice fishing sled ...with beaver and traps/ supplies..works slick !

Here's my trapping and hunting canoe. For a couple years I trapped out of a 14' whitewater canoe because it only cost $75. It got the job done but I prefer this one for sure. I trap shallow water less than 4' deep mostly for muskrats, but it's soft bottom. Most sets I can paddle right to and set from the canoe, but I can get out of and back into the canoe with relative ease in the shallow water. I don't have to go far and wouldn't want to with this wide load canoe.

If ibwas just going to be wading in a small river or creek, I'd consider an otter sled or something similar, maybe with some pool noodles zip tied to the sides for extra flotation insurance.

Is that a sports pal canoe?

Yep. It was red when I got it but I stripped it down and painted it.

I been looking at those, from what I can tell they’re the brand to buy, though a bit pricey at 1400 for the 12 footer. I have a 16 footer old town that’s WAY too heavy to maneuver with only one person

Tiguy: What are the flotation strips on your canoe made from?

They're some sort of foam, I had to replace the original ones because they were falling apart. I have since taken them off. I got sick of banging my paddle against the bolts holding them on. I found they didn't really help much and just seemed to get in the way.

I found this one used for around $350 if I remember right. About what I was able to get for the whitewater canoe when I sold it.

How long Is it ?

I have the same thing (12') and set it up to row if needed for distance. Yes wide and sort of difficult to paddle at first try......jk

I have one of the 14 foot transom back sportspals, I also have a 16 foot square back, my preference is for the 16 footer which I run a 2hp motor on, I generally run up river on one side then float down the other side back to my starting point, nowadays I have a trailer that I use for it but it’s light enough that it’s easy to throw on top of whatever vehicle I am using that year, the trailer just makes it faster to move from spot to spot I can also carry more then just using my vehicle

they make training wheels for canoes.

I have the 12' Solo Sports Pal - love it ! Bob

If you're just using it like a giant otter sled, there's really isnt much to talk about....get a fiberglass one and go. If you want to river trap or big lake trap out of one, listen to the Carol Black interview on trapping radio. Another good one is the Scott Webb interview. I think Webb is a member here

I had some big swamps I would wade and had to get back to the truck to get more traps. With the canoe carry what you need, stakes and traps and easier and faster.

If traveling the waters nothing smaller than 16' & 18' is better. If just wading and hauling stuff anything will work.

I use one sometimes in swamps and marshes. It's a really lightweight composite. I can toss it on my shoulder and carry it pretty easy. Would not want to run it on a river...it's like a bobber in waves. 12 foot pack. Old Town.

I have an old fiberglass 17" it was a racing model. I hate it. it track to straight and is a royal pain to get it to turn
it's also heavy. I really need to just sell it.. my kayaks are more user friendly for fishing but im not going to Carry much. just a few beaver traps and weights for your cable is enough. Add in a few beaver and they get tippy and ride very low.