Scott,
Each of us has a unique back yard. Bear's Buddy is on the SW'ly edge of the historic Saginaw Bay where ancient Indians hunted and fished. Draino is a bit down stream on a wide spot in the rivers draining three of the five Great Lakes, including Gitche Gumi. I'm near the Red Cedar River, an ancient inland highway for the Ojibway/Chippewa here abouts.
We learn to scout our nearby territory, then share it with others. Further north where we go into Canada are routes of the Voyageurs.
We all paddle "used" waters. Many have gone before us. Many more will come after us.