Pack your fishing tackle and charge the battery for your electric motor. Don't forget your waders. It's already time to start planning a year of great fishing in Pennsylvania.

Opportunities range from panfish through the ice to smallmouths, northern pike, muskies, walleyes, trout and catfish. There are more opportunities available than you can fit into several lifetimes, but it's always worth a try!

In case you cannot make up your mind where to go, or perhaps you want to try something different this year, here are 36 suggestions for some great fishing getaways in 2006.

JANUARY
Lake Chillisquaque
Panfish
Lake Chillisquaque is a 165-acre impoundment in the Montour Preserve, which is owned by the Pennsylvania Power and Light Company (PPL) and governed by Panfish Enhancement Special Regulations, which are designed to increase the number and size of panfish.

Surveys by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission last year turned up good quantities of crappies, bluegills, pumpkinseeds and yellow perch. This could be the break-out year. Results of the special regulations should start to pay dividends.

Eaton Reservoir
Northern Pike
This small Erie County lake is loaded with northern pike. Bring plenty of emerald shiners because the action can get fast. Jig for big bluegills and yellow perch between flags.

Auburn Dam
Chain Pickerel
Schuylkill County anglers might want to check out Auburn Dam for chain pickerel this month. Bring some larger minnows to attract the bigger pickerel.

FEBRUARY
Stovers Dam
Trout
Stovers Dam in Lebanon County will be stocked with trout this month. Fishing is as likely to be in open water as it is to be through the ice.

Stovers Dam is one of the lakes covered under Extended Trout Season rules. Trout fishing is allowed through March, so you have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Presque Isle Bay
Yellow Perch
If you want good ice-fishing for yellow perch, go to Presque Isle Bay. Fishing often gets better as winter progresses. Fish emerald shiners or jigs tipped with grubs close to the bottom, but watch your sonar for perch higher in the water column and then adjust quickly.

Shenango River
Yellow Perch
The Shenango River Dam tailwaters will be stocked with trout Feb. 3. This is a great opportunity to get in some open-water trout fishing during midwinter in the chilly Northwest Region.

MARCH
Walnut Creek
Steelhead
One of the top Lake Erie tributaries for steelhead is Walnut Creek. There is good public access near the mouth at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Walnut Creek Access. Avoid congestion by scouting for access farther upstream.

The key to the best steelhead fishing is timing. Fresh schools of steelhead move upstream with each rise in the river's flow.

Delaware River
Striped Bass
Striped bass spawn in the Delaware River as far upstream as the Interstate Route 80 bridge, though the best fishing occurs in the Philadelphia area. Use live bait, including blueback herring, alewives, eels and bloodworms. Numerous special regulations are in effect.

North Park Lake
Rainbow Trout
North Park Lake is another of the Extended Trout Season special regulations lakes. It is conveniently close to Pittsburgh. Live shiners should give you an edge.

APRIL
Penns Creek
Brown Trout
One of our larger trout streams, Penns Creek flows through the central part of the Commonwealth within reach of any Pennsylvanian. Portions of the creek are floatable with a canoe.

Access is excellent where Centre, Mifflin and Union counties join, thanks to state park and forest holdings.

Penns Creek is well stocked and offers the possibility of larger holdover trout.

Shenango Lake
Crappies
If you want to catch some really nice crappies, many in the foot-long class, Shenango Lake in Mercer County has white and black crappies. This is a fairly large lake at 3,560 acres. Unlimited horsepower boating is allowed.