Another year of great fishing opportunities has arrived for New York anglers. Excellent hardwater fishing destinations are plentiful whenever there is safe ice. When warmer weather arrives, countless freshwater choices include tiny streams for brook trout, raging rivers for pike and deep cool lakes for bass and trout.

With 2,200 miles of ocean shoreline, the Empire State's saltwater options are hard to beat, too.

Regulations vary across the state, so always check the current rules before heading out to fish.

There are more places to explore than any angler could hope to hit in a year -- or a lifetime. But here's a roundup of 36 of the best places to wet a line in 2009:

JANUARY~
Lake Trout
Lake Gilead
Lake Gilead is open for lake trout year 'round. Minimum length is 18 inches, and the daily limit is three fish. Lakers feed at varying depths, so start out with your baits set deep, middle and shallow until you figure out where they're feeding.

The lake lies south of the Putnam County town of Carmel. This lake is owned by New York City, and a free Public Access Permit is required. Call 1-800-575-5263 for information.

Landlocked Salmon
Piseco Lake
This Hamilton County lake is open all year for the taking of landlocked salmon, with a minimum length of 18 inches and a daily limit of two fish.

For details on multiple access points along Old Piseco Road, check DeLorme's New York Atlas and Gazetteer, page 79.

Walleyes
Boyd Corners Reservoir
Walleyes may be taken from this reservoir, situated northwest of Carmel, from the first Saturday in May through March 15.

There's an 18-inch minimum length, with a daily limit of three fish.

Boyd Corners Reservoir is also open year 'round for trout longer than 12 inches, with a daily limit of three fish. See DeLorme's NYAG, page 33, for access details.

FEBRUARY
Northern Pike
Silver Lake
Silver Lake lies in the Clinton County town of Black Brook. Big toothy northern pike may be taken here from Nov. 15 to March 15.

It's also home to yellow perch, rainbow trout, and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Pike tend to run with the bait for a while before swallowing it, so watch for the line to stop running off the spool before you set the hook.

Access is off Route 3 onto Silver Lake Road. See DeLorme's NYAG, page 102, for details.

Rainbow Trout
Arctic Lake
Trout may be taken year-round from Arctic Lake, which lies in the Broome County town of Sanford. The daily limit is five fish, with no more than two longer than 12 inches. This 60-acre lake in Oquaga State Park also has an abundance of panfish.

Splake
Meacham Lake
This Franklin County lake in the town of Duane is open for taking of splake year 'round. The daily limit is five fish of any length.

Meacham Lake is also home to landlocked salmon, with a year-round season. Daily limit is three fish, with a 15-inch minimum.

Hardwater anglers can also expect to catch pike, yellow perch and largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Access is off Route 30 onto Meacham Road. For details, see DeLorme's NYAG, page 101.

MARCH
Lake Whitefish
West Caroga Lake
Whitefish of any length may be taken year 'round from this Fulton County lake in Caroga.

Daily limit is five fish. Use fish eggs or small pieces of cut bait, fished close to the bottom.

The lake is also home to trout, yellow perch and panfish. Trout of any length are legal year 'round. Limit is five fish per day.

For area details, check DeLorme's NYAG, page 79.