It's that time of year again -- time to plan next season's fishing trips. To Buckeye State anglers, the task of choosing where to spend precious leisure hours on the water may seem daunting. So we've sifted hundreds of angling reports and biologist's studies to come up with the following 36 great angling trips.

Some trips listed below are perennials -- Lake Erie's bass and walleyes, for example, represent world-class fisheries impossible to leave off any list of Ohio's best. However, we've also included a few hotspots that you may not have seen before.

Ohio's blessed with myriad angling options. No matter what your interests are, how much time you have available or where you live in Ohio, our 2005 calendar is packed with trips you can enjoy. We've included everything from muskies to bluegills and every possibility in pond, stream, lake and river fishing. Here's a closer look at some of Ohio's best public angling opportunities for 2005.

JANUARY
Bluegills: Beaver Creek Lake
Located in Northwestern Ohio's Seneca County, Beaver Creek covers just 120 acres, but don't let its relatively small size fool you. Lurking below the surface are monster bluegills. According to a recent Ohio Division of Wildlife report, Beaver Creek Lake holds an excellent population of 5- to 9-inch fish.

Walleyes: Lake Erie
Even January's freezing temperatures can't stifle the bite at the "Walleye Capital of the World." Plenty of walleyes near or above the 20-inch mark will be available thanks to excellent spawning success from 1999 and 2001. The strong 1996 and 1998 year-classes will provide trophy walleyes up to 28 inches this season.

Ice-fishing is especially popular and productive in the western basin near Sandusky Bay and the Bass Islands.

The most up-to-date info is usually available at local bait shops. Don't be afraid to stop in and ask questions. They want you to catch fish so you'll come back for more bait and tackle.

FEBRUARY
SaugeyesCharles: Mill Tailwaters
Coldwater fishing in Ohio usually means ice-fishing for bluegills, crappies, perch or walleyes, or saugeye fishing in lakes and tailwaters. Fortunately, Ohio has several excellent open-water saugeye destinations to complement the standard ice-fishing hotspots. This year's first saugeye destination: the popular tailwaters flowing out of central Ohio's Charles Mill Reservoir. The site boasts an excellent population of 15- to 22-inch fish. However, larger saugeyes can be and often are taken.

Perch: Findlay Reservoir No. 2
Northwestern Ohio's Findlay Reservoir No. 2 is a popular spring and summer destination for crappie and catfish anglers. But, this 640-acre upground reservoir is also teeming with yellow perch, making it a great ice-fishing destination. The perch here average 7 to 10 inches in length.

If things get crowded on Findlay Reservoir No. 2 don't be afraid to try Findlay Reservoir No. 1. The ODOW lists the fishing in Reservoir No. 1 as good for 6- to 9-inch yellow perch.

MARCH
Largemouths: AEP Ponds
The AEP lands include a vast patchwork of woods and open lands dotted with hundreds of ponds. Some of those ponds hold good numbers of 12- to 15-inch bass with an occasional 20-inch fish.

Recently, slot limits were established at some of the ponds, including MB40, MD41, MB42, MM29, MM34 and NB43 -- each a good bet for bassers. If you have time and feel adventurous, try some of the area's more remote ponds. You might discover your own secret bass paradise!

Trout: Rose Lake
Nestled in the hills of Hocking County, is deep, crystal-clear Rose Lake, which, covering just 17 acres, harbors more than its share of trout. In the last five years, the ODOW has stocked more than 15,000 catchable trout here. Motors aren't allowed, so bring a canoe or car-top boat. Also, bring a good supply of 1/32- and 1/16-ounce spinners. Locals often bag five-fish limits with these tiny lures.

APRIL
Brown Trout: Clear Fork Mohican River
Another springtime trout destination: the Clear Fork Mohican River. The Clear Fork is highly recommended by the ODOW for trout enthusiasts. Trout here average 8 to 15 inches; fish up to 25 inches may be caught. There is a 12-inch minimum-size limit and a two-fish bag limit.

Look for current edges, stream breaks or sudden depth changes. Trout will hide wherever they can find suitable cover and water temperatures in the 50s.

Crappies: Findlay Reservoir No. 2
Discuss April angling outings without including at least one crappie destination? No! So here we are back at Findlay Reservoir No. 2. Now that the ice is gone it's the crappie schools exciting local anglers. The reservoir's dominated by white crappies, which average 8 to 13 inches in length.