Whether it's walleyes and smallmouth bass from cold-running rivers or trout, largemouth bass and tiger muskies through the ice, Keystone State waters provide hardy anglers with plenty of opportunities each winter.

Regulations vary greatly by water and species. Many waters are open for catch-and-release trout fishing year 'round. Some are closed to the taking of trout as early as September and others have extended seasons for stocked trout that last all winter. For this reason, anglers should always check the most current regulations booklet, available wherever fishing licenses are sold or online at www.fish.state.pa.us/regs_fish.htm.

NORTHWEST REGION
Lake Erie
There's just no way to talk fishing in Pennsylvania without a bow to Lake Erie, a premier hardwater destination for yellow perch. While Presque Isle Bay is just one section of the vast lake, it is the area known for giving up the majority of yellow perch taken through the ice each year.

Access is through Presque Isle State Park in Erie, off Peninsula Drive.

There are plenty of other species to be had, including smallmouth bass and steelhead trout. Anglers catch an average of 1.5 million fish here annually!

When venturing out during the winter months, stick to the big lake's bays and coves. Lake Erie is the 11th largest lake in the world in surface area, and open water remains at its center pretty much year 'round.

Pennsylvania has about 500 miles of coastline along the Great Lake and access points are plentiful. Check DeLorme's Pennsylvania Atlas and Gazetteer, maps 26 and 27, for details.

Pymatuning Lake
Anglers shouldn't let Erie's offerings dazzle them to the point that they overlook some excellent inland Northwest Region hardwater destinations. Pymatuning Lake is in Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County, offering anglers 17,088 acres in which to drill their holes. This is the largest inland lake within the Commonwealth, and sits within the largest state park (21,122 acres), as well.

Pymatuning is best known as an excellent largemouth bass fishery. Anglers can also expect to catch smallmouth bass, walleyes, muskellunge, crappies and perch here.

Check DeLorme's PAG, Map 28, for area details.

Conneaut Lake in Crawford County is best known for giving up big pike though the ice. The lake is also home to muskies, bass and panfish that will keep younger anglers entertained for hours.

Access is off state Route 6/322 west of Interstate Route 79 in the town of Conneaut Lake.

Check DeLorme's PAG, Map 28, for access details.

Other Northwest Region Hotspots
According to Al Woomer, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologist covering most of the Northwest Region, several other waters are worth checking out this winter, including Allegheny Reservoir in McKean and Warren counties for walleyes, northern pike and yellow perch; Edinboro Lake in Erie County for walleyes, muskies, bass and panfish; and Twomile Run Reservoir in Venango County for trout, muskies, bass, walleyes and panfish.

Allegheny Reservoir is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The reservoir is managed primarily for walleyes. There are also muskies, smallmouth bass, white bass and yellow perch here.

Check DeLorme's PAG, Map 31 for multiple access sites.

Edinboro Lake covers 245 acres in the town of Edinboro south of Erie. The lake is stocked with juvenile muskies and walleyes. Access is off U.S. Route 6N.

Check DeLorme's PAG, Map 29, for more information.

Tim Wilson, a PFBC biologist in charge of the extreme northwest edge of the state, recommended that steelhead anglers target Lake Erie's tributary streams, primarily Walnut and Elk creeks, this winter.