Are you trying to find freshwater trolling motors among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling freshwater trolling motors on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 18 hours of research and did 50 freshwater trolling motors tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best freshwater trolling motors you can buy today
- Efficient Power: 55Lb Thrust - This 12V Electric Trolling Motor Provides Excellent Power And Efficiency For Any Boater. The High Quality Build Allows The Motor To Run All Day Long Without Overheating, Or Making Noise To Spook Fish
- Features: This Motor Features A 30 Inch Shaft, A 5 Led Battery Meter, A 6 Inch Telescoping Tiller Handle, And 3 Blade Propeller. The Mount Angle, Height, And Direction Can All Be Adjusted And Locked Into Place When Needed
- Speed: This Motor Has 8 Speeds, 5 Forward And 3 Reverse. The Motor Is Designed For Trolling, So The Top Speed Of This Motor Is About 4Mph, But Depends On Your Boat Shape, Weight, Water, Wind, And Other Factors. Our 3 Blade Propeller Gives The Motor Great Low End Torque To Get The Boat Moving
- Battery: The Nv 55Lb Motor Requires One (1) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle Or Lithium Deep Cycle Battery (Battery Not Included), 50Ah Recommended. The Motor Also Includes A 50Amp Circuit Breaker Which Is Recommended At All Times To Protect From Battery Voltage Surges. Max Amp Draw: 52A
- VARIETY OF SPEED: Includes five forward speeds and two reverse speeds
- WEEDLESS DESIGN: Weedless two-blade propeller designed to allow your boat to move easily through the water and weeds.
- COMPATIBILITY: Suits various styles of small watercraft including kayaks, canoes, inflatables, Jon boats, and more.
- FEATURES: 30-inch telescopic chrome plated steel shaft, 30lbs thrust, extendable tiller operating
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: Necessity is the mother of invention. Created by anglers to be used by anglers. If you’re not satisfied with your Watersnake Electric Motor, contact your distributor to be taken care of.
- Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage.
- Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller.
- 5 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse.
- Power Prop: This prop delivers extra power to push through heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer.
- Indestructible Composite Shaft — Guaranteed for Life: At the core of your Minn Kota trolling motor is an indestructible composite shaft. It's a Minn Kota exclusive, and we guarantee it for life.
- Push-to-Test Battery Meter: Press a button on the trolling motor head to get an instant status of battery life you have left.
- Cool, Quiet Power: Every Minn Kota lower unit runs cool to extend trolling motor life, and stays quiet.
- Haswing Transom 12V 65LBS trolling motor equipped with innovative and powerful 12V brushless motor, providing excellent propulsion for a wide range of boats and waterways.
- Equipped with step-less forward and reverse speed control.
- The motor can easily be tilted in and out of the water and the trim height is adjustable by way of a quick lock system, so you can motor in almost any level of water.
- It features an 3 levels LED battery power indicator so that you can plan your fishing time accordingly.
- It is suitable for both salt and fresh water use.
- 【Powerful and Durable】: Reinforced Nylon Bracket kayak trolling motor ensures high strength, good ablation resistance and good dimension stability. Durable all aluminum head increase the service life of the motor.
- 【Ergonomic extendable handle】: 8 Speeds and 6-inch Telescoping adjustable Handle (5-sp forward & 3-sp reverse) puts total control at your fingertips for a smooth and easily controlled ride.
- 【30-inch Fiberglass Composite Shaft】: High tensile strength and corrosion resistance adjustable shaft allows for proper depth placement in all water conditions. 30” shaft is more suitable for sitting.
- 【10-Point LED Battery indicator】: Battery indicator protects the batteries, and it is convenient to observe how much electricity is left.(battery not included)
- 【Stainless steel Hardware】: Saltwater compatible hardware make the motor can run perfectly in saltwater or freshwater.
- 3 Horsepower maximum rated with aluminum locking lip
- Fresh water and salt water compatible
- Widely used 3.75" x 4.75" bolt pattern
- Removable and replaceable polymer transom plates
- Made of heavy gauge aluminum with gloss black powder coated finish
- 8.5 inch composite glass fiber high strength shaft, high strength nylon bracket
- 55lb thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted
- 8 speeds (5 forward & 3 reverse) - DC 12V
- Stainless steel hardware for saltwater use
- Durable die-cast aluminum head / 5-inch telescopic handle
- Wireless remote control lets you precisely operate the motor from anywhere on the boat
- Innovative mount features easy-to-read LED dashboard that lets you quickly check the status of four key functions in any light conditions
- Efficient motor provides best-in-class quiet operation that’s up to 40 percent quieter than the leading competitor
- Pinpoint GPS is the industry’s most accurate GPS, provides precision control and a tighter hold on your anchor point
- SecureStep system lets you stow and deploy the motor safely and easily by stepping on the release lever from a comfortable standing position
- Freshwater motor delivers 70 pounds of peak thrust and has a 54-inch-long composite shaft with a 3-blade Machete propeller
- This 24-volt motor has a maximum draw of 42 amps
- Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage
- Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller
- 5 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse
- Power Prop: For 3-1/4" motor diameters, this prop delivers extra power to push throw heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer
- Patented Variable Ratio Steering (VRS) lets you accurately position your boat even in wind, rough water, and other challenging conditions
- Foot-control unit with heel/toe design and directional indicator; lets you keep both hands for what really counts—reeling in the big one
- Rigid aircraft grade aluminum mount and stainless steel bushings ensure dependable performance
- Ultra-quiet on the water, thanks to the composite precision locking pin and composite bushings installed in key areas
- Freshwater use
- EFFICIENT POWER: 62lb Thrust - this 12v electric trolling motor provides excellent power and efficiency for any boater. The high quality build allows the motor to run all day long without overheating, or making noise to spook fish.
- FEATURES: This motor features a 40 inch shaft, a 10 LED battery meter, a 6 inch telescoping tiller handle, and 3 blade propeller. The mount angle, height, and direction can all be adjusted and locked into place when needed.
- SPEED: Motor has 8 speeds, 5 forward & 3 reverse and is designed for trolling, so top speed of motor is about 4.25mph, speed depends on your boat shape, weight, water, wind, & other factors. 3 Blade Propeller has great low end torque to get boat moving.
- BATTERY: 62lb motor requires one (1) 12V Lead-Acid Deep Cycle or Lithium Deep Cycle battery (battery not included), 50ah recommended. Motor includes 60amp circuit breaker recommended at all times to protect from battery voltage surges. Max Amp Draw: 58A
- QUALITY & WARRANTY: All Newport motors are made w/ high quality stainless steel, magnesium, & zinc hardware to withstand freshwater and saltwater environments. We back every product we make with industry leading customer service and a 2 year warranty.
- Compact hand-held remote controls the Xi3 from anywhere on the boat
- Large release lever triggers both stow and deploy functions from a standing position for easy and safe operation
- Visual and audible cues indicate when the motor is locked in the stowed position
- Whisper quiet operation
- Easy to read LED dashboard
- The Minn Kota Terrova features an easy-to-deploy system of fallaway ramps that effortlessly slide the trolling motor into the water, plus a spring-loaded Lift-Assist design for easy stowing.
- A low-profile electric foot pedal offers two steering options (heel/toe pedal and left/right steering buttons) and includes Spot-Lock activation, rotary speed control dial, momentary/constant on toggle, and AutoPilot on/off toggle.
- Using GPS to lock onto fishing spots with Spot-Lock, record paths, command speed and steering, the i-Pilot Link system allows you to control your motor from the color touchscreen remote or from a virtual remote on your fish finder (sold separately).
- Offering optimal sonar performance to help you find fish, the built-in Universal Sonar 2 keeps your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the trolling motor's shaft with shielded connectors.
- This Minn Kota Terrova has a 45-inch shaft length, features 55 pounds of thrust (12 volts), and includes a multi-function foot pedal, heading sensor, mounting hardware and cabling, and i-Pilot GPS system.
- 54" Shaft, 12v, 55 lbs Thrust
- Deploy-Assist Lever: Get in and out of the water easily. Just depress the lever to deploy your trolling motor and when it's time to move, it stows easily and securely
- Side-To-Side/Electric Foot Pedal: Control speed, steering, and momentary and constant on/off with the PowerDrive foot pedal, which is waterproof and features an 18' cord. Note: the foot pedal is not included with i-Pilot models
- Digital Maximizer: Provides up to 5 times longer run time on a single battery charge. These variable speed trolling motors let you dial in your exact speed, and they deliver only as much power as you need, helping to conserve your battery for a full day of fishing
- Weedless Wedge 2 Prop: With swept-back flared blades to power through anything without battery-draining chopping and hacking, the Weedless Wedge 2 is one of the most trusted props in fishing
- 36" Shaft, 12v, 40 lbs Thrust
- Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage
- Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller
- 6 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse
- Power Prop: For 3-1/4" motor diameters, this prop delivers extra power to push throw heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer
- Classic twist-tiller operation equipped with the 3-blade Machete propeller
- Digital Power Management technology extends battery life up to 5 times for longer running between charges
- Tough aluminum 7-position mount gives you greater flexibility and adaptability
- Lower unit constructed of solid steel and aluminum with a powder coat finish to withstand the toughest conditions
- Freshwater use
- 30 lbs. thrust
- 30" shaft
- #03 transom mount
- 5 speed forward and 2 reverse
- Reversible motor head for bow or transom mount operation; Sport type: Boating
- Lever Lock Bracket: This solid 10-position bracket features a quick-release lever lock and reinforced composite material that resists flexing, warping, and UV damage.
- Telescoping Tiller: Get easy, comfortable, intuitive operation of your trolling motor with the six-inch telescoping tiller.
- 5 Fwd/3 Rev Speed Settings: Five speed settings for forward and three speed settings for reverse.
- Power Prop: This prop delivers extra power to push through heavy vegetation. Includes prop pin, nut and washer.
- Indestructible Composite Shaft — Guaranteed for Life: At the core of your Minn Kota trolling motor is an indestructible composite shaft. It's a Minn Kota exclusive, and we guarantee it for life.
- Push-to-Test Battery Meter: Press a button on the trolling motor head to get an instant status of battery life you have left.
- Cool, Quiet Power: Every Minn Kota lower unit runs cool to extend trolling motor life, and stays quiet.
- Silver plated terminals for a reliable corrosion resistant connection in any freshwater or saltwater application
- Sealed waterproof design
- Secure threaded electrical connection and adjustable mounting orientations
- Continuous power rated to 60 amps up to 48v
- 8 AWG wire leads. (Compatible with 6 - 10 AWG wire sizes)
- The Minn Kota Terrova features an easy-to-deploy system of fallaway ramps that effortlessly slide the trolling motor into the water, plus a spring-loaded Lift-Assist design for easy stowing.
- The i-Pilot Link system allows you to control your motor from the color touchscreen remote or from a virtual remote on your Humminbird fish finder (sold separately).
- Provides up to 5 times longer run time on a single battery charge. These variable speed trolling motors let you dial in your exact speed, and they deliver only as much power as you need, helping to conserve your battery for a full day of fishing.
- With swept-back flared blades to power through anything without battery-draining chopping and hacking, the Weedless Wedge 2 is one of the most trusted props in fishing.
- This Minn Kota Terrova has a 54-inch shaft length, features 55 pounds of thrust (12 volts), and includes i-Pilot remote, lanyard, heading sensor, MKP-32 prop and mounting hardware. Foot control not included
- 55LBS thrust saltwater beam installation, this 12V electric trolling motor can provide excellent power and efficiency for any boat people.
- The 72cm glass fiber adjustable composite shaft can be placed at an appropriate depth under water conditions and provide reliable performance.
- 8 gears (5 forward gears and 3 reverse gears) with 6-inch telescopic handle.
- Durable aluminum head and stainless steel salt water hardware, suitable for fresh water and salt water (DC 12V).
- If you have any questions, please contact us, we are willing to provide you with satisfactory service.
How to choose a good freshwater trolling motors
Does the idea of finding a fantastic freshwater trolling motors make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in freshwater trolling motors. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top freshwater trolling motors products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top freshwater trolling motors on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top freshwater trolling motors brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top freshwater trolling motors based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the freshwater trolling motors were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good freshwater trolling motors, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your freshwater trolling motors.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting freshwater trolling motors for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our freshwater trolling motors. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what freshwater trolling motors should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on freshwater trolling motors.
