Every year seems to end with the same melancholy thoughts about the great fishing we missed last season. That, it is hoped, will never change. There is too much great fishing in Pennsylvania to do it all in one short lifetime, but as each year begins, we can make plans to sample as much of it as possible.

Here is a look at 36 great trips and some ideas on how you can tap Pennsylvania's great fishing potential in 2005:

JANUARY
Walleyes: Allegheny River
This water might be the best trophy walleye fishery in the eastern United States. Three of the top five walleyes reported in Pennsylvania during 2003 were taken from the Allegheny River. The largest, 15 pounds, 4 ounces, was caught during December, the second largest in October and the fourth largest in January.

Walleye fishing is great in the river from the Kinzua Dam tailwaters to Pittsburgh. The river remains free of ice from the Kinzua Dam to Warren. Downstream through Warren, Forest and Venango counties, extreme cold will lock the river in ice.

Crappies: Blue Marsh Lake
If the ice is safe this month, it is a great time to be on Blue Marsh Lake to fish for crappies. This is one of a few excellent crappie lakes in the Southeast Region. Watch for crappies to slide toward the dam as winter progresses.

Trout: Harbor Acres Lake
Harbor Acres Lake in Butler County is not much different than other small lakes around the state south of Interstate Route 80 that are stocked with trout for ice-fishing. Usually, there will be good ice by January.

FEBRUARY
Yellow Perch: Presque Isle Bay
The best ice-fishing in the state for yellow perch is at Presque Isle Bay.

Most perch are caught close to the bottom, but if you have a sonar unit, watch for signals of suspended fish. They might be perch.

Ice-anglers get onto the bay from both the city of Erie side and from Presque Isle State Park. One of the most popular areas is at Dobbins Landing and other spots along Bayfront Parkway. Visiting anglers can come into Erie on Interstate Route 79, which ends on the parkway.

Rainbow Trout: Youghiogheny River
Trout fishing is fine all winter in the Youghiogheny River just below the Youghiogheny Dam. This is one of just a few waters in the state that are stocked with trout throughout the year.

Yellow Perch: Marsh Creek Lake
Two of the top five yellow perch reported in 2003 were caught from Marsh Creek Lake, barely a half-hour from Philadelphia in Chester County. Wait for safe ice to form in the center of the lake.

MARCH
Steelhead: Elk Creek
There is no more exciting fishing in Pennsylvania than steelhead in the Lake Erie tributaries. Biggest of these tributaries is Elk Creek. There is ample access along both sides of the creek near the mouth and at several stretches upstream.

Timing is key to late-winter fishing. You want to be at most tributaries when a moderate amount of run-off brings fresh fish into the creek. Elk Creek is large and there will be fish moving in even during normal flows.

Crappies: Mauch Chunk Lake
Biologists sampling Mauch Chunk Lake in Carbon County last year found good numbers of black crappies. Most of them were over 8 inches. This could provide good late ice or early ice-out fishing. Also, expect some better-than-average bluegills.

Northern Pike: Glendale Lake
Glendale Lake in Cambria County is one of the better northern pike lakes in the state and probably the best in central Pennsylvania. The best pike fishing typically occurs just after ice-out. Fish big minnows close to cover.

APRIL
Stocked Trout: Medium-Size Creeks
Most anglers will be fishing for trout this month. The best fishing generally will be in the medium-size creeks with good public access because these waters get the most generous stockings. Beyond that, picking one is potluck.

Bait-fishing is usually most effective during April. Try minnows in streams that are stocked with brook or brown trout, and salmon eggs or grubs in creeks that are stocked with rainbow trout.

Walleyes: Pymatuning Lake
Because of a reciprocal agreement with Ohio, walleye fishing is allowed year 'round at Pymatuning Lake. During April, look for walleyes over the long points. Try casting with stick baits.

Chain Pickerel: Route 42 Reservoir
Route 42 Reservoir, which is also known as Klines Reservoir, is on the new Roaring Creek Tract of the Wyoming State Forest in Columbia and Northumberland counties. Fishing is strictly catch-and-release, but it is a good opportunity to have some fun with very nice chain pickerel, perhaps longer than 2 feet.