The angling season on pike, walleyes, panfish, smallmouths and largemouths remains open year 'round, however. Some of the best waters for bass are lakes and ponds specifically managed under the Big Bass or Trophy Bass programs. Around the state, there are about 30 of these special waters regulated by special bag limit or slot-limit regulations including Amos Lake in Preston, Pattagansett Lake in East Lyme, Gardner Lake in Salem and Highland Lake in Winchester.

For more information, contact the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection at (860) 424-3555; or visit the DEP's Web site at www.dep.state.CT.us.

RHODE ISLAND
The winter fishing season in Rhode Island is often very short due to a lack of safe ice conditions. But when safe ice forms, there are some good opportunities. More than 50 ponds are stocked annually with trout, and a good many of those are stocked in fall. (A list of stocked waters is available on the Rhode Island Fish and Wildlife Division's Web site, listed below.)

The Ocean State is also home to some fine bass waters. Of special note are Tiogue Lake, Tucker Pond, Pascoag Reservoir, Watchaug Pond, Wilson Reservoir, Indian Lake and Stafford Pond.

For more information contact the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife at (401) 789-0281; or visit www.dem.RI.gov. Find more about New England fishing and hunting at: NewEnglandGameandFish.com