Hunting for Canvasbacks in Large Lakes

Why Canvasbacks Love Large Lakes

Canvasbacks are true divers built for open water. They prefer expansive lakes because these areas offer:

• Deep water with abundant submerged vegetation

• Safety from shoreline predators

• Wind-driven feeding areas

• Room for high-speed flight and raft formation

On the right lakes, canvasbacks raft by the hundreds and feed aggressively throughout the day.

Understanding Canvasback Behavior

Daily Movement

Canvasbacks follow a predictable routine:

• Morning: Move between roost water and feeding zones

• Midday: Rest and raft in deeper open water

• Afternoon: Feed again before evening loafing

Unlike puddle ducks, cans often fly well into mid-morning and midday.

Feeding Preferences

Canvasbacks feed primarily on:

• Wild celery (Vallisneria)

• Pondweed

• Sago weed

• Invertebrates and mollusks

Scouting feeding vegetation is more important than scouting flight lines.

Flight Characteristics

Canvasbacks:

• Approach low and fast

• Decoy in tight groups

• Swing wide in high winds

• Often follow diver flyways along lake contours

Their speed makes them challenging—and rewarding—to hunt.

Scouting Large Lakes for Canvasbacks

1. Use Optics

Glass from high shorelines, marinas, and boat ramps to locate:

• Rafting areas

• Flight corridors

• Feeding pockets

• Protected coves after storms

2. Watch Wind Direction

Wind changes everything.
Cans often feed:

• On windblown shorelines

• In wind-protected coves during storms

• Near points and underwater humps

3. Look for Vegetation

If the lake lacks good submerged vegetation, canvasbacks rarely stay long.

Decoy Spreads for Canvasbacks on Big Water

1. The Classic Diver Long-Line Spread

Perfect for big water with wind and waves.

Set 2–6 long lines with:

• 6–12 canvasback decoys per line

• A few redheads and bluebills for realism

• Lines spaced 10–20 yards apart

• A landing pocket downwind

This creates a realistic “runway” for incoming cans.

2. Big-Water J-Hook or C-Spread

This shape funnels birds downwind into the kill hole.

• Use 30–60+ decoys

• Place the long side upwind

• Inside curve creates the landing zone

• Add motion with jerk rigs if feasible

Great for moderate wind and shoreline setups.

3. Mixed Diver Spread

Canvasbacks often raft with:

• Redheads

• Bluebills

• Goldeneye

• Ringnecks

A mixed spread looks natural, especially during migration peaks.

Best Calling Strategies for Canvasbacks

Canvasbacks aren’t vocal like mallards. Calling is minimal:

• Use whistles for mixed species realism

• Add occasional mallard quacks to calm distant birds

• Rely on decoy visibility and motion—not calling—to finish flocks

Motion and spread placement kill more cans than sound.

Field Tactics for Big Lakes

Position for Wind

Always set up where the wind helps pull birds into your spread.
Cans typically:

• Approach low

• Fly straight into the wind

• Commit well to big, visible spreads

Use Big, Visible Decoys

Bright white canvasback drakes are natural beacons.
Large-bodied decoys can pull birds from long distances.

Boat Positioning

If using a boat blind:

• Park slightly upwind of the kill hole

• Keep the boat shadow off the decoys

• Brush heavily—even on big water

Shoreline Setups

Point tips and island edges are prime.
Cans love structure on big lakes, especially on windy days.

Gear Recommendations for Canvasback Hunts

Shotguns

• 12- or 20-gauge semi-auto

• Improved Cylinder or Modified choke

• High-velocity #2 or #3 steel (or bismuth #3)

Canvasbacks fly fast—choose a load with strong patterns at 35–45 yards.

Boats & Safety Gear

Big lakes require big-water safety:

• Stable boat, layout boat, or skiff

• Life jackets / PFDs

• GPS + navigation lights

• Dry bags

• Spare anchor

• Bilge pump

• Marine radio or cell service backup

Never underestimate wind and chop on large open water.

Waders & Clothing

• Breathable or insulated waders

• Waterproof parka

• Wind-cutting outer layers

• Insulated gloves and handwarmers

• Layering system for cold-weather hunts

Decoy Gear

• Long-line clips

• Anchors and droppers

• Heavy-duty cord

• High-visibility diver decoys

• Motion rigs if safe to deploy

Late-Season Canvasback Tips

• Hunt deeper open pockets as shallow areas freeze

• Use bigger spreads—50 to 100+ decoys create realism

• Midday can be the best time for flights

• Watch for calm days after storms—cans raft heavily then

• Bring extra anchors; ice and wind are a spread’s worst enemy

Canvasbacks respond extremely well to realistic diver rigs in harsh conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using too few decoys

• Setting up in shallow flats without food

• Ignoring wind direction

• Relying on calling instead of spread visibility

• Underestimating big-water safety

• Hunting too close to shoreline without scouting

Avoid these and your success rises dramatically.

Why Book a Guided Canvasback Hunt

A guide takes the guesswork out of big-water diver hunting by offering:

• Pre-scouted feeding areas

• Professional-grade long-line decoy spreads

• Safe boat transport and setup

• Knowledge of wind, weather, and lake structure

• More shot opportunities at fast divers

Compare canvasback hunts and trusted waterfowl outfitters through Find A Hunt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do canvasbacks decoy well?

Yes—especially to large, bold diver spreads with long lines.

What’s the best time of day to hunt canvasbacks?

Early morning and mid-morning. Midday flights spike on cold, sunny days.

How deep of water do cans prefer?

6–20 feet, depending on vegetation and forage.

Are long lines necessary?

On big lakes, yes. They control decoys, especially in wind and waves.

What choke works best?

Improved Cylinder early season; Modified late season for longer diver shots.

Ready to hunt the king of divers? Compare outfitters and plan your next canvasback hunt through Find A Hunt.