Arkansas has hundreds of blue-ribbon fishing waters-broad delta rivers, fast mountain streams, bottomland oxbows, highland reservoirs, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lakes and vast corporate impoundments -- some better than others, however, so an angler should be choosy about where to spend precious fishing time. The following sketches of topnotch Natural State fishing waters will help you prepare for month-by-month angling excitement.

For fishing regulations on each body of water, including daily creel limits, length limits and slot limits, consult a current fishing regulations guide, phone the AGFC at 1-800-364-GAME or log on to www.agfc.com, where you will also find maps of all the lakes and streams mentioned.

JANUARY
Little Missouri River: Smallmouth Bass
This stream ranks among the most scenic in the Ouachita Mountains. And along most of the Little Missouri, from the headwaters south of Big Fork to the backwaters of Lake Greeson, you'll find fast-paced action for smallmouths up to 4 pounds. Winter fishing is outstanding.

The first float is from Albert Pike Recreation Area near Langley to Arkansas Highway 84, 8.5 miles of good smallmouth territory. The next section, Highway 84 to Lake Greeson, covers 11 miles of smallmouth-fishing paradise.

Little Missouri smallmouths are suckers for live crawfish. Turn rocks in feeder creeks to gather a few. Rig with a split shot a foot above the hook, casting upstream and allowing the bait to drift by boulders and other cover. One first-rate lure is a 1/8- to 1/4-ounce jig-and-pig. For more info, visit www.arkansas.com/lakes-rivers.

January is also prime time for rainbow trout on the Little Red River. Camp at John F. Kennedy Park below Greers Ferry Dam at Heber Springs, and try fly-fishing. Fishing for chain pickerel shines on Lake Ouachita.

FEBRUARY
Arkansas River: Saugers And White Bass
Saugers and whites to 3 pounds are common catches on the Arkansas River this month. Fishing tailwaters is the way to load a stringer, with those below Ozark, Dardanelle and Murray dams among the best. Be on the water just before dawn and dusk. Use 1/8-ounce jigs or jig-minnow combinations; focus on pools, pockets and eddies where current is present yet diminished. Other good lures: spoons, tailspinners and small, deep-diving, shad-imitation crankbaits. Contact the AGFC for more info.

Lake Hamilton is a topnotch place for catching big winter crappie this month. Look for 2-pounders around deep-water brushpiles. Try for walleyes and rainbow trout below Carpenter Dam on Lake Catherine.

MARCH
Greers Ferry Lake: Walleyes
In the world of walleye fishing, Greers Ferry Lake is hallowed water. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment produced the current world-record, a 22-pound, 11-ounce walleye in March 1982. It has produced more 20-pound-plus walleyes than any other body of water.

Most walleye anglers fish Greers Ferry from mid-February through early April during the spawning runs. When the water temperature approaches 50 degrees, walleyes ascend the four upper forks of the Little Red River. Good action is also available in smaller tributaries like Peter, Drip, Hill and Lynn Creeks. Fishing techniques vary from trolling long-billed slim minnow plugs to bottomfishing with night crawlers. For additional information, contact the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-774-3237 or log on to www.heber-springs.com.

Another superb February pastime: spotted bass fishing on Ouachita Mountain rivers -- the Ouachita, Caddo, Saline and Cossatot, all harboring strong populations. Don't miss Lake Chicot's crappie this month. The spawn may begin early in March.

APRIL
Bear Creek Lake: Redear Sunfish
Arkansas' premier redear lake is Bear Creek in St. Francis National Forest near Marianna. This popular St. Francis National Forest hideaway produces numerous "shellcrackers" in the 1 1/2-pound class each year, and 2-pounders are possible.

Work the shallow waters of the lake's many long fingerlike coves. Bottomfishing with worms is the most productive tactic. Contact the St. Francis NF office at (870) 295-5278 for more info.

For some offbeat April action, give bullhead catfish a try on Lake Hogue near Weiner. Two former state records were caught there in April. White-bass fishing heats up, too, with excellent angling in the South Fork of the Ouachita River upstream from Lake Ouachita.