Despite true four-season weather, there is no time of year when Empire State anglers can't find some productive water. Cold winters create plenty of thick ice to sink auger bits into. Spring brings stream fishing for trout, and stripers move up the coastline to spawn. The hot summer months are no match for the deep, cold waters in New York's big lakes. When fall rolls around, it's time to hit the rivers for smallmouth bass, muskies and pole-bending pike. Several saltwater species stick around for fall fishing as well, including stripers, cod and tautog.

Because fishing hours in any given year are precious and few, and no angler could hope to hit all the honeyholes in New York in any given year, here's a roundup of best-bet waters to consider when planning your 2010 fishing forays:

JANUARY
Walleyes: Mystic Lake
This Cattaraugus County lake is along Tunungwant Creek, a tributary of the Allegheny River. Mystic Lake gave up a record 16-pound, 9-ounce walleye last January.

Try baiting tip-ups with lively creek chubs.

Check DeLorme's New York Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 41, for area details.

Northern Pike: Quaker Lake
This 268-acre manmade lake is within Allegany State Park. Quaker Lake is open to fishing year 'round, and hardwater anglers traditionally have good luck. The lake's pike population is growing, and fish up to 40 inches have been reported. Quaker is also a put-and-take fishery for trout stocked spring and fall, and offers anglers opportunities to catch largemouth and smallmouth bass and panfish.

Check DeLorme's New York Atlas and Gazetteer, Map 41, for access and area details.

Brook Trout: Guilford Lake
This Chenango County hotspot provides hardwater anglers with 80 acres of trout-fishing opportunities. Guilford Lake is open to the taking of trout year 'round, five fish daily with no more than two longer than 12 inches.

Check DeLorme's NYAG, map 48.

FEBRUARY
Tiger Muskellunge: Otisco Lake
This 2,200-acre lake is in Onondaga County near Syracuse and is rumored to be the best in New York for tiger muskies. Many tigers over 15 pounds are taken through the ice each year. A contender for the world ice-fishing record, weighing 27 pounds, 5 ounces, also came from this lake. Use large, live minnows or jigging lures measuring 6 to 10 inches.

Check DeLorme's NYAG, Map 61, for access details.

Landlocked Salmon: Upper Chateaugay Lake
This Clinton County lake is open for the taking of landlocked salmon and trout year 'round. There's a 15-inch minimum length limit, with a daily creel of three salmon. The lake is also home to lake trout, rainbow trout, pike and yellow perch.

Check DeLorme's NYAG, Map 102, for details.

Yellow Perch: Cuba Lake
This 445-acre lake in the Allegany County town of Cuba offers hardwater anglers plenty of warmwater fishery action. In addition to yellow perch, the lake is home to walleyes, pike, brown bullheads and bluegills. Ice-fishing access is at the south end of the dam on South Shore Road.

Check DeLorme's NYAG, Map 42.

MARCH
Rainbow Trout: Mill Brook Reservoir
This 50-acre lake in the Chenango County town of New Berlin is a worthy destination for anglers targeting big trout. Mill Brook is also home to largemouth bass and panfish. The reservoir is open to the taking of trout year 'round. Try fishing tip-ups baited with salmon eggs or small night crawlers.

Check DeLorme's NYAG, Map 63, for area details.