I am going up next week. It will by my yearly trip with no kids so I will do a lot more fishing, especially from the canoe. (unless my 11 year old can successfully hide in the Atlas on the way up - he is so mad he cannot go!!!)

We are doing an easy trip with minimal portaging and will basecamp on Ensign. We will mostly do walleye/smallmouth and some pike fishing. Not sure if there are trout on Ensign. Which is easier and more stable? Fishing from a heavier aluminum canoe or a We-no-nah kevlar canoe? What should I rent?

It has been a long time since I have fished or even set foot in an aluminum canoe. I can't remember how stable they are. (truth be told they took out too much in my brain surgery and some times I cannot remember what I had for breakfast many days)

Dbor: "I am going up next week. It will by my yearly trip with no kids so I will do a lot more fishing, especially from the canoe. (unless my 11 year old can successfully hide in the Atlas on the way up - he is so mad he cannot go!!!)

We are doing an easy trip with minimal portaging and will basecamp on Ensign. We will mostly do walleye/smallmouth and some pike fishing. Not sure if there are trout on Ensign. Which is easier and more stable? Fishing from a heavier aluminum canoe or a We-no-nah kevlar canoe? What should I rent?

It has been a long time since I have fished or even set foot in an aluminum canoe. I can't remember how stable they are. (truth be told they took out too much in my brain surgery and some times I cannot remember what I had for breakfast many days)"

If you're fine with the extra weight on the portage, aluminum is always more stable. With that said, kevlar is fine is you have two people fishing. If it's just you, add some extra weight to the front and it's no problem.

I think the weight, width and keel add some stability to aluminum canoes. I am happy with my SRQ 16 and 17 for fishing stability however.

I doubt you'll have a huge issue either way. Aluminum is probably more stable but that doesn't mean kevlar is unstable.

If you have an outfitter selected let them know your intentions when reserving a canoe and they can help match you to a canoe that will meet your needs. If weight doesn't bother you at all then just go with aluminum, it will save you a few bucks. If weight is a concern then I'd go with kevlar. There are multiple kevlar option and they'll each have their own characteristics, the outfitter can help set you up with the most stable option they have available.

When I am picking a canoe for fishing stability is only one concern but not really the top concern. Paddling characteristics are also important. A canoe that is maneuverable and tracks well can make trolling a lot easier. If you're going to be on the water all day fishing trying a bunch of different spots then you don't want to be paddling a barge all day either.

If your fishing consists more of setting up on one spot and bobber fishing it for an extended period of time then it doesn't matter as much.

The Wenonah Champlain is like a freighter, very stable and very light. I usually throw some extra weight in there for fishing like the food pack. if it's far enough out, you can probably request it.

Rent an aluminum canoe if you are only going to Ensign. No Lakers on Ensign, go up to Knife for lakers. Take the tow from LaTourells both ways. Well worth the money. You can be in camp on Ensign at 9:00 in the morning if you get the 6:00 AM tow.

Aluminum canoes are beamy with full ends and flat bottoms. They have great initial stability and are good for fishing. Sounds very feasible if you are only going to Ensign Lake.