Photo by Rod Cochran.

There's no need for New England's anglers to surrender to cabin fever just because the fishing poles are packed away until spring.

New England's waters provide anglers with hardwater opportunities beyond compare. Whether it's a day targeting trophy salmon and lake trout or fast family flags for panfish, the region's icy lakes and ponds have got it going on!

Keeping in mind that an angler can drill only so many auger holes per season, here's a roundup of some of the best destinations for panfish, tiger muskies, and trophy trout and salmon to consider this winter:

CONNECTICUT
The Nutmeg State has over 180 lakes and ponds open to public fishing. Whether it's fast-paced panfish action or trophy game fish that make your flags fly, Connecticut's the place to be. Waters managed especially for trophy-sized largemouth bass and trout abound.

Rogers Lake in Lyme-Old Lyme is a 260-acre natural lake in the Connecticut River drainage. Its maximum depth is 63 feet, with an average of 19 feet. Rogers Lake flows into Mill Brook, a tributary of the Lieutenant River. The lake has two deep basins connected by a shallow area that averages about 6 feet deep.

Each spring and fall, Rogers Lake is stocked with 10,200 catch-worthy brown and rainbow trout. A few big holdover brown trout are caught here each year. Some very large walleyes, left over from a stocking program discontinued in 1999, are still being caught as well.

There are good numbers of largemouth bass too. Rogers Lake is also home to chain pickerel, black crappie, yellow perch and sunfish.

This is a Trophy Trout Lake, and special season, length and creel regulations apply. Be sure to check the current Connecticut Angler's Guide before heading out.

Access is via a town park on the south shore or via a state-owned site on the eastern shore. Take Exit 70 off Interstate Route 95 to Route 1 east for 2.5 miles, and then turn left onto Grassy Hill Road.

Gardner Lake is a 529-acre natural lake in the towns of Bozrah, Montville and Salem. The lake has a maximum of 39 feet with an average of 14 feet. Gardner Lake drains into Gardner Lake Brook, a tributary of the Yantic River.

The lake is stocked both spring and fall with about 7,000 catchable rainbow and brown trout. About 7,500 walleyes are stocked annually and are a common catch, with some exceeding 20 inches in length. Here, too, there are also more large pickerel than average. Largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch and black crappies may also be had. This is also a Bass Management Lake, so special slot and creel limits apply.

Access may be had via the state-owned area on the southern shore. From Route 82, take Route 354 north for one-quarter mile. The access road is on the right.

For more information about wintertime fishing in Connecticut, log on to www.ct.gov/dep/site/default.asp.

Pick "Outdoor Recreation," and then "Fishing."

MAINE
The Pine Tree State has so many lakes and ponds that it can be difficult to decide on the right destination. Last year, new ice-fishing regulations went into effect that allow for the taking of brook trout in Class A designated waters from the time ice forms in December -- assuming that the weather cooperates this year.

Other new regulations are in place, so be sure to check the current law book before heading out.

Ice-anglers won't go wrong heading for the southwestern region of the state, where ponds are stocked in fall, and holdover trout are common. Fish stocked include retired adult hatchery brood trout, landlocked salmon and yearling brook trout.