From where the first trickles of runoff meet on a high mountain peak, to where that same water eventually reaches the rich saltwater estuaries, Georgia anglers are blessed with angling opportunities. High mountain trout streams down to tangling with tarpon on the coast, the Peach State offers something for anglers of all persuasions. Let's fill in your calendar with the best the state has to offer this year.

JANUARY
Largemouth Bass:
Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole is in the extreme southwest corner of the state, near Bainbridge. One of the Georgia's best lakes for trophy bucketmouths, its southern latitude permits early action. Even in January, expect the fish to be in a pre-spawn pattern. The lake's Spring Creek arm offers this prime fishing.

You have many excellent public access points to choose from.

Tips: During cold conditions, look for bass in timber along the channel edges. As the water warms, bass work their way towards shallow weeds. A heavy spinnerbait slow-rolled through the timber is a good choice, as are deep-diving crankbaits. For fish in the weeds, consider pitching or flipping a bulky soft plastic "creature" bait.

Options: Hit the weather right and you can enjoy excellent shallow-water red drum action in the Georgia marsh. Use bass fishing techniques like spinnerbaits and flukes to tempt shallow redfish working oyster bars on a falling tide.

Amicalola Creek is managed under delayed harvest regulations. Winter trout fishing is catch-and-release only, making for some fast action.

FEBRUARY
Striped Bass:
Allatoona Lake
This month, Allatoona Lake offers anglers some of the best fishing of the year for stripers and hybrids. Mixed schools of stripers pushing 20 pounds and scads of hybrids in the 5-pound range can make for fast and furious fishing when the bite is on. The fish congregate around offshore structure, enjoying the cool water temperatures and gorging themselves on schooled-up bait.

Tips: Start your search around main lake points and humps. The Galts Ferry area of the lake is a good choice. Use your electronics to find offshore structure that holds bait. Fish frisky gizzard shad on freelines and hold on tight.

Diving gulls almost certainly mean that big fish below are pushing bait to the surface. When that action starts, it can be fast and furious.

Allatoona Lake is just off I-75 near Cartersville, a short drive north of Atlanta. Numerous public boat ramps and marinas are available to launch your rig.

Options: For hot crappie action, fish the heated water in Beaverdam Creek on Lake Sinclair. The outflow from Georgia Power's Plant Harlee Branch warms up the water and the crappies in this area.

Walleyes are beginning to run at Carters Lake this month. Fish points and shoals upriver for these tasty members of the perch family.

MARCH
White Bass:
Coosa River
In northwest Georgia, March has one of the hottest tickets of the fishing year, as white bass make their annual run up the Coosa River. Both boat and bank anglers can get in on the action, with several boat ramps available and good bank access at Mayo's Bar Lock and Dam.

The action starts early in March and by midmonth should be hot and heavy.

Tips: Good places to find fish are creek mouths, around blowdown trees in the current, and sandy banks. To catch the bigger females, fish deeper. A 1/4-ounce jig and plastic grub combo is ideal. Good colors include pearl, white, and yellow. Live-bait anglers do well with minnows or small shad.

Contact Floyd County's Lock and Dam Park at (706) 234-5001 for more information.

Options: Lake Blackshear's largemouth bass are moving into the shallows to spawn. Target cypress trees and other shallow cover for a chance at a wallhanger.

It's springtime on the Georgia coast, and great fishing is available for Savannah River striped bass. Target bridge piers, pilings, and other structure when the tide turns.