Fortunately, California has more fishing opportunities than any other state in the nation. Regardless of where people like to fish, their favorite methods or the species they target, our state has something for everyone.

The 36 picks below are a month-by-month assortment of what California has to offer you in between sporting events in 2005.

JANUARY
Spotted Bass: Lake Shasta
Don't be fooled into thinking that you should only chase bass during warm months. Spotted bass go on a tear at Lake Shasta in the dead of winter. One-hundred-fish days are common here if you catch the right weather. Glassy waters and spots to 3 pounds will greet you between storms.

Fluctuating lake levels occur regularly in January, so adjust your approach accordingly. Spots will generally be deep, but their positioning depends on the direction the lake is moving. Fish move shallower with rising waters, where they'll attack fast-moving crankbaits, ripbaits and spinnerbaits. Target deep structure and creek channels with soft plastics and jig-and-pigs in falling water.

For information, call Shasta Tackle & Sport Fishing, 530-275-2278.

Other Choices
The South Fork Eel River is one of the best steelhead streams in the region, as long as sufficient rains move fish in but stop so the water drops and clears. Call for conditions before you go, and bring plenty of roe.

Rainbow trout pushing 20 inches are on tap for Bass Lake anglers dressed for the cold. The spillway is a great place to soak Power Bait from shore.

FEBRUARY
Steelhead: Mendocino County
You'll find concentrations of wild steelies to 14 pounds in the Albion, Big, Garcia, Gualala, Navarro, Noyo and Ten Mile rivers, but conditions have to be right. It all comes down to rain -- too little and DFG closes these streams to fishing, while too much and everything gets blown out.

When steelhead do make it into the rivers and water conditions become fishable, anglers in the know drift roe. There are occasions, however, when a variety of hardware will also take fish. Make sure you understand special DFG regulations for Mendocino County before you go.

For information, call the Outdoor Pro Shop, 707-588-8033.

Other Choices
You'll have to weed through 3- to 5-pound striped bass at San Luis Reservoir to find larger fish, but that's the fun of it. Try Portuguese Cove, Dinosaur Point and the Trash Racks.

While muddy waters spoil most fishing trips, they'll wake the Delta's largest sturgeon. Head to the Rio Vista Bridge, Decker Island or Montezuma Slough with pile worms or shrimp and fish both sides of the tide.