Best Freshwater Fishing Boats

You can’t put a group of anglers together for long before the conversation shifts to debates over the best freshwater fishing boats.

Freshwater fishing is all about being versatile, and that places special demands on a boat. It has to handle rough open lakes and marshy stump-filled bays, providing equal stability in big lake swells or back bay shallows. Freeboard need to be high enough to keep guests dry when running through the rough stuff, yet low enough for easy pitching when fishing in tight. You need big live wells and tons of space for gear, because versatility also means being able to fish for bass in the morning, stripers or lake trout at mid-day and walleye in the evening – often all in the same day. The best freshwater fishing boats meet these different challenges, and do it without breaking the bank.

Here are five of the best freshwater fishing boats available today. No matter where you wet a line, you’ll find these rides are all very tough to beat.

Alumacraft Competitor 185

Alumacraft Competitor 185

Big enough to handle rough water yet trim enough to easily handle when fishing solo, Alumacraft’s Competitor 185 packs an amazing amount of storage space, high-tech engineering and simple creature comfort into its 18-foot, 8-inch hull. Standard features include interior courtesy lights, rod storage for poles up to 8 feet in length, a 12/24-volt electrical system for the trolling motor, Alumacraft’s AlumaTrac extrusion system, folding cleats, an infinity stereo with Bluetooth streaming, dual 18-gallon aerated live wells with timers and more. An impressive option list lets you detail this rig exactly as you like. Click here for more information.

• Length: 18’ 8”
• Beam: 95”
• Dry weight: 1,300 lbs.
• uel capacity: 34 gal.
• Passenger capacity: n/a
• Maximum power: 90 hp

Campion Rage R22

Campion Rage R22

The all-new Campion Rage R22 blends the best elements of big-water offshore rigs with modern bass boats to create one of the most versatile multi-species rigs anywhere. Standard features include an Apex2 high performance hull, stainless steel hardware throughout, dual consoles with a full walk-through windshield, UltraDeck soft-touch flooring, integrated tackle organizers, lockable ventilated rod storage, 36.9-gallon live well, Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor with iPilot link and Bluetooth, Humminbird Helix 7 electronics at the helm and bow, LED lighting and more. The extensive option list includes all sorts of useful upgrades, from underwater lighting to stereo upgrades and Bimini tops, for starters. No matter how you outfit it, the Campion Rage R22 is one of the very best freshwater fishing boats available today. Click here for more information.

• Length: 22’ 9”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 2,800 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 60 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: n/a

Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk

Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk

The all-welded Crestliner 1650 Fish Hawk has been among the top sellers in the Crestliner fleet for years, and for good reason. This is one multi-species rig that just seems to get everything right, and in an easy-towing, easy stowing package that anyone can afford. Enjoy standard amenities including a newly refreshed helm with space for up to 12-inch displays, illuminated toggle switches for electrical controls, in-deck rod storage, 15-gallon stern and 12-gallon bow aerated live wells with timers, a huge elevated bow casting platform and more. Choose from side console, dual console or walk-through floorplans, and appealing options like two-piece stern bench conversion seat, stern jump seats and wireless man overboard system. Click here for more information.

• Length: 16’ 9”
• Beam: 86.5”
• Dry weight: 1,095 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 20 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 115 hp

Ranger 622FS Pro

Ranger 622FS Pro

No, it’s not cheap. In fact with a sticker price that starts at over $80,000 the big Ranger is the priciest boat on our list of the best freshwater fishing boats. But when you look at what you get, it’s easy to understand why this is the one serious anglers lust after. The huge front deck is truly spacious, while concealing a mountain of gear underneath – including rods to 9 feet in length in its central rod locker. Space for a 12-inch display in the now deck – and another at the all-glass helm – lets you stay on the fish at all times. A second multi-function display at the helm keep tabs on everything from ignition, security, lighting, live wells, the jack plate, Power-Poles and more. We won’t even get into the multi-page option list, which literally offers just about anything imaginable. Click here for more information.

• Length: 22’ 10”
• Beam: 102”
• Dry weight: 2,650 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 56 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: 400 hp

Smoker Craft 172 Pro Mag

Smoker Craft 172 Pro Mag

Built to bring the most advanced features of top-of-the-line tournament boats into an easy-towing, easy-to-launch package with a durable aluminum hull, the Smoker Craft 172 Pro Mag impresses with its impressive attention to detail. Running on the company’s advanced Hydra Lift performance hull, the Pro Mag has it all including 15-gallon bow and 25-gallon stern aerated live wells, a Jensen Bluetooth stereo, in-floor rod storage, LED lighting, a deluxe helm with hydraulic steering, lighted rocker switches for electrical accessories and space for a large multi-function display, Smoker Craft’s IGTS accessory mount system, ventilated rod and storage lockers to combat corrosion and a Sea Weave cockpit floor that’s faster drying than carpet. A full range of options allow endless personalization. Click here for more information.

• Length: 17’ 3”
• Beam: 96”
• Dry weight: 1,415 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 22 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: 150 hp