Alabama has a tremendous variety of fish species and waters for anglers to enjoy. From widely accessible bream to big migrating cobia, there's a fish waiting to challenge every angler in every month of the year.

Whether it's size or numbers, live bait or artificials, simplicity or sophistication, this year's 36 destinations offer you a full year of fishing adventures.

JANUARY
Largemouths
Millers Ferry Lake
Most anglers who fish Millers Ferry put their rods away in January. Savvy anglers, though, know that this month and the next offer excellent fishing for trophy largemouths, as the females are prime for the coming spawn. Though you can expect few strikes, the bites you do get produce good-quality fish weighing from 3 to 8 pounds.

The best fishing occurs at the mouth of feeder creeks anytime there is a current on the Alabama River. When the water temperature is in the mid-40s to low 50s, the bass hold in slack water at depths greater than 10 feet. Target these winter bass using a vertical presentation to work a Hopkins spoon or a jig-and-pig slowly along the edge of the current.

For current fishing information, visit Lori Stogner at L'n L Marina located off state Route 28 or call her at (334) 682-5125.

Other Hotspots: For fast action, fish for spotted bass in the current breaks below the Mitchell Dam. Also in January, anglers on Wilson Lake find good smallmouth action on main river dropoffs.

FEBRUARY
Spotted Bass
Jones Bluff Lake
Moving upstream on the Alabama River, Jones Bluff's riverine banks and current create excellent habitat for spotted bass. Anglers report that the fishing in February for spots is unbeatable. It's only at this time of the year that they catch 5- to 7-pound fish; as soon as the water begins to warm, the big spots disappear. The best fishing for big spots is from Swift Creek to the dam.

The most productive locations for spots this month are river gravel bars 6 to 15 feet deep and the first bends up in deep feeder creeks. To fish gravel bars, find any hump or point that causes a current break. To fish creeks, look for channels at least 20 feet deep that have bends with a tight radius.

For current fishing information and water conditions call Big Bass Bait & Tackle at (334) 365-0600.

Other Hotspots: Opening for the new year on Feb. 1, Escambia County Lake offers Alabamians their best opportunity to catch a largemouth weighing more than 10 pounds. In Mobile, bluegills congregate in the deep holes of Bay Minette Creek to offer phenomenal fishing.

MARCH
Crappie
Logan Martin Lake
Last year, anglers reported taking full stringers of slab crappie from Logan Martin, with good numbers of 1 1/2- to 2-pound fish. This 15,263-acre reservoir produces one of the best growth rates for crappie on the Coosa River.

Blue Eye, Choccolocco and Clear creeks are top areas to troll for pre- spawn fish. To find concentrations of fish, troll 1/24-ounce jigs rigged with tiny curlytail grubs parallel to dropoffs in 12 to 15 feet of water. Early in March, before the fish become aggressive, add a small minnow to entice big crappie.

Initially, troll slowly to work dropoffs in deeper water. If you don't find fish, increase your trolling speed as you move up the creek.