For local information on what baits or lures are working, two of the best contacts are the Redwood Ranch Bait Shop in Bemus Point on the eastern side and the Happy Hooker Bait Shop in Ashville on the western side.

ALLEGHENY (KINZUA) RESERVOIR
Off I-86 over the Pennsylvania state line, the Allegheny Reservoir offers some great spring walleye fishing. Although typically known more for the number of walleyes caught than their size, the state-record walleye was caught here in 1994, a fish weighing 16 pounds, 7 ounces. Two Pennsylvania state-record walleyes were also caught in these waters in the 1980s.

Because the water is not clear, spring walleye fishing here is not limited to the nighttime hours. The reservoir also offers 40 miles of shoreline in New York waters, almost all of which hold spring walleyes.

Spring walleyes will be found in heavy concentrations near the mouth of the reservoir in 5 to 15 feet of water. A couple of other hotspots include the mouth of Pierce Run Creek as well as the area around the I-86 bridge at the north end.

Later in spring, the water will begin to recede and the walleyes will move out to slightly deeper water away from the extreme north end of the reservoir.

There are four launch sites in New York waters with two free, limited- capability sites. The launch site at the Onoville marina (approximately eight miles from I-86) is probably the most accommodating for the majority of boaters, and a fee is charged.

This is also the best area to obtain local information on current conditions as well as license information. It is also important to know where the state line is, unless you possess a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. A large portion of the reservoir is within the Allegheny Indian Reservation and requires an additional license.

Accommodations are available in nearby Salamanca and Olean. Camping is also available in Allegheny State Park.

HONEOYE LAKE
One of the smallest Finger Lakes, Honeoye Lake is a big producer of spring walleyes. Heavily stocked with walleyes (8.7 million fry annually), good fish can be caught virtually anywhere in shallow water near the lake's many inlets and run-offs in spring. Like most other areas, the best walleye fishing occurs after the sun goes down.

Although it doesn't produce quite as many walleyes as it has in recent years, the fish caught in the last year or two are consistently larger than average.

There are two public launch sites on Honeoye Lake, including Sandy Bottom Beach at the north end off county Route 36 and Honeoye Lake Public Boat Launch off Route 20A. Working the shoreline on either side of the lake should produce good numbers of walleyes.

The daily limit on walleyes on Honeoye Lake is three fish.

For accommodations near Honeoye Lake, interested anglers should visit www.fingerlakes.worldweb.com.

ONEIDA LAKE
Perhaps the best-known walleye producer in New York, this central New York lake is just a few miles north of Syracuse. It has seen its walleye population range from 200,000 to one million fish, and anglers have harvested as many as 450,000 walleyes in a single year.

The DEC is currently stocking between 100 million and 200 million walleye fry into Oneida Lake each year to maintain its reputation as the state's top walleye fishery.

As with most walleye fisheries, the best spring angling typically occurs after dark in shallow water. Trolling is the preferred and most successful method, although drifting is popular with some anglers.

Check the weather forecast, as the lake surface can be rough on windy days.

Boat access on Oneida Lake is plentiful, with 26 public launch sites. There are two free public launches: the DEC's South Shore boat launch and the Godfrey Point launch on the northeastern end of the lake.

Accommodations are abundant in the greater Syracuse area, as well as in the town of Brewerton on the eastern end of the lake.

The DEC's Web site at www.dec.state.ny.usis a good source for walleye fishing information, maps and regulations changes.

Traveling anglers should visit www.iloveny.comfor more trip-planning assistance.