It's that time of the year when West Virginia Game & Fish magazine comes through with 36 prime places to fish for each month of the year. So take a gander at our choices to see if some fine angling is near you. It may be cold outside, but that doesn't mean the fish aren't biting.

JANUARY
Kanawha Falls Walleyes
Come January, savvy West Virginia anglers will be looking for trophy-sized walleyes in the area of the Kanawha Falls on the Kanawha River in Fayette County. According to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) personnel, the stretch downstream from the New and Gauley rivers is the place to start. Even better is the immediate area below the falls.

Generally, good water flow, deep pools, high oxygen content and plenty of big, fat walleyes characterize this area. Under normal weather conditions most of the good fish -- 5 pounds and better -- will be found in the holes, resting and waiting for spring to launch them on their spawning journey.

Some of the best deepwater spots are near the falls. The fishing can be extraordinary. It can also be dangerous if you're not highly experienced. If you lack the necessary experience to fish deep, swift water, go with someone who does before you try it on your own.

If the weather warms a bit, try the right side of the river just below the falls. This area is especially productive when the sun is bright and the rocks and gravel are picking up heat.

There's a ramp just below the falls, where the area is handicapped accessible, and there are plenty of shore-fishing opportunities from the bank.

FEBRUARY
Williams River Trout
In February, give Williams River trout an honest effort. You'll be glad you did. This Webster and Pocahontas counties venue is popular, so you're likely to meet other anglers on your trip despite the time of year. Regardless, it's worth the effort.

Thanks largely to an excellent stocking program by the DNR, the fishing can be intense. The river is stocked from the site of the old Coal Tipple below Laurel Run, upstream 22 miles to the low-water bridge above the Day Run Campground.

A long stretch of this water is catch-and-release only, so you'll want to pay attention to where you fish, especially if you intend to keep a couple of trout for dinner. The restricted stretch runs two miles downstream from Tea Creek. The area is well marked, so you shouldn't have any trouble spotting it.

Special hook regulations apply. Anglers can fish with one barbed hook or with multiple barbless hooks only.

The trout might be found almost anywhere. The habitat here is extraordinary. Riffles, reasonably deep holes, undercut banks and laydowns characterize most of the Williams River. Try to drift your bait or lure naturally with the water flow. Approach your fishing spot with care. Williams River trout are wary and skittish.

MARCH
Ohio River Saugeyes
As the weather starts to break, take a close look at Ohio River saugers and saugeyes. They're plentiful throughout the river and are usually willing to bite a minnow or flashy jig.

They can be caught below any of the dams on the river and at nearly any inflow along the river's path. If you fish the fast water below the dams, look for places where the current swirls or eddies move in an unusual pattern. At the inflows, pay particular attention to deep scour holes, washouts and debris piles.

Some of the best spots on the river are near the mouth of the Kanawha River at Point Pleasant and upstream from there for three or four miles. Pay particular attention to the small creeks that flow into the river from the West Virginia bank. This area supports heavy commercial barge traffic, so be careful and pay attention to what's going on around you.