Then I would ask why? Just curious to see what everyone says.

All I fish now are lakes, so that'd have to be my choice. But watching that Bill Dance 2 part series where he fished a river deep in the woods was awesome. Took me back to when I used to explore rivers (and streams) as a kid.

 

If I had rivers like that around my area I'd probably enjoy that a lot too.

All I fish now are lakes, so that'd have to be my choice. But watching that Bill Dance 2 part series where he fished a river deep in the woods was awesome. Took me back to when I used to explore rivers (and streams) as a kid.

 

If I had rivers like that around my area I'd probably enjoy that a lot too.

Yeah, what got me thinking was I am trying to learn this 40,000+ acre lake here in AR which I don't know much about versus a small lake (which is nothing more than a river channel with a dam on each end) that I know blind-folded.

Depends what I am targeting. If I want my smallmouth fix I hit the local rivers if greenies are what I am after then lakes and if I am looking for scenery and solitude its time to hit the blue lines and go after brookies.

They all serve their purpose depending on my mood but nothing beats an all day float chasing smallmouth.

I like to fish the small rivers here in florida. The weather is less of a factor than open water lake fishing. River fish seem to be a little more active in cold weather also. Better suited to small boats in some ways.

I have the pleasure of both,  the Shennandoah runs for miles and miles and we never seem to fish all of it,  I love to fish the river,  it's home to so many secrets,  but my favorite is fishing lakes,  I love fishing deep structure,  it's home to some of the biggest bass and you rarely if ever find someone doing the same thing you are,  even when the lake is crowded,  you find yourself all alone,  with the exception of skiers and big boats during the busy season,  that part of the lake is generally all yours,  granted the bite is slower and fewer bass are caught,  but the ones you do catch are on average larger.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/113754-lakeriverpond-or-creek/

I like Lakes over rivers, why?  because to me it is fun to fish with the different depths..in the end though I'm not too picky if I am able to pick up a rod and go fishing.

No slop in rivers? Must be something wrong with you lads, ill take a river over a lake any day

As I'm getting older, the challange of learning a large body of water and then locating active fish has become less and less rewarding and I find myself either targeting big fish or going after multi-species.  I think at this point going back to fishing moving water would be more enjoyable as you can identify fish holding areas without the use of electronics and topo maps .

The only downside, for me, is the availability of water big enough to fish from a boat.  I have limited range of motion in both my shoulders and casting from a deck, or maybe ankle deep in a river, is a concern for me.

I think the deciding factor would be the fact that river fish seem to give you a better fight than their relatives in lakes, especially smallies. 

I prefer lakes/ponds, but I will take any water that I can!

I'll chase smallies in the river any day of the week over a lake. I love wading out and getting them on top water...

Lakes. Havent really fished rivers though yet... unless you count the everglades as one. I like finding small lakes most cant get to from shore with my little boat. The fish bite is more frequent and they seem to fight harder. I cant wait to get a fish/depth finder one day to hit the whole body high and low in em.

river

River smallmouth on a late summer sammy or buzzbait bite is about as good as it gets in my world.

I haven't really fished a lot of rivers and streams so I will say lakes.

I do a lot of river fishing, but I definitely prefer the lake.

Rivers, as long as it is a bigger river such as the Niagara or St. Lawrence. 

 

Why?

 

A 2 pounder fights like a 4, a 4 pounder fights like a 6 and a 5+ pounder is just unreal.   Smallmouth of course.

Never the conformist, a reservoir which is a river that was dammed and is now a lake.  You get the diversity of current like a river and slow water like a lake. Realize the Columbia is a pretty big river. River fish or current related fish do seem to be great pullers.

I absolutely love fishing all the lakes in south jersey, most are small and shallow so its easy to find the fish. But.... ill never forget my summers as a teen going on weekend fishing trips to the juniata river out past harrisburg pa and getting 20-30 smallies a day. Especially that monster 4lb+ smallie i got on a jig !!

 

My goal this year is to chase some smallies out in pa again !!

Ponds are my favorite followed by lakes. Not alot of rivers in S.Florida so I dont have much experience on them.

I would give the slight edge to a lake. Reasoning, because holding a position in a river can be difficult.

Huge fan of river smallmouth fishing, so I have to go with rivers. But I do enjoy fishing lakes and the occasional small pond (especially at night).

I'll take a TN River lake any day of the week.  They have everything you could possibly want to fish and they are loaded with big bass.

Why no pond love?  River especially in the summer months, Lakes in the cooler months and ponds when I want to be guaranteed to catch fish.