Take a very good look at this canoe.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/hunt ... ss150.html

A well designed and built square transom canoe is not difficult to paddle. A semi-v or semi-rounded bottom is the way to go for stability. They do not offer as good initial stability as a flat bottom but have excellent secondary stability. They will literally balance on their side. Get a flat bottom rolled about 45 degrees and you are going to capsize. Since you are fishing even small lakes you will encounter wave action and the semi-rounded (semi-v) hull will be much safer.

I have a side mount for my trolling motor on my canoe. The Old Towne mount that I have will support a 3.5 hp outboard. The disadvantage of a side mount is that the thrust is off center of the canoe center line. In order to keep a straight track you must bring the canoe into trim with the tiller. Not a big deal with small motors but the more thrust you have the bigger the correction input must be.