Wisconsin anglers face a quandary not unlike a blind dog in a meat market -- with so many options to investigate, which way do you go?

The shortest distance to a stretched string can be found by exploring these hotspots in the year ahead.

JANUARY
Chequamegon Flowage Options
Also known as Miller Dam Flowage, this Taylor County fishery hides just north of the confluence of two major interstates, far enough from the beaten concrete path to avoid detection.

Crappies and pike are the major attractions here, present in both numbers and substantial size. Set two boards for pike and jig a third line for crappies, keying on any remaining green weeds in close proximity to fish cribs and naturally occurring woody structure.

For more information, call the Taylor County Tourism Bureau at (888) 682-9567.

Mendota Walleyes
First ice typically occurs around New Year’s Day and it’s the best time to chase walleyes with blue and chrome jigging Rapalas at dusk over deep-water humps near Picnic and Second Point.

Rice Lake Panfish
It is possible to fill a 25-fish limit in a little more than an hour once you find fish near woods or weeds. A chartreuse Demon with a hot pink head is a killer on crappies, bluegills and perch, with great action all winter long.

FEBRUARY
Koshkonong Walleyes This vast basin lake straddling the Jefferson-Rock county line is home to six adult year-classes of walleyes eager to jump on a rosy red or fathead minnow set 6 inches off the bottom under a tip-up.

Key on water at least 5 feet deep and set the tip-ups in a triangle pattern about 50 feet apart. Fishing with buddies increases success geometrically with more lines in the water.

Try to stay away from the crowd. Tap many holes, and then put the drill away, leapfrogging your boards to stay over fish in this amorphous basin lake.

For more information, call Patten’s Marine at (920) 563-5350.

Mississippi Tailwater Saugers
Target the main channel edges with a Sonar, One Eye or a 1/2-ounce jig with a plastic fliptail in vertical jigging presentation. Watch your locator, as fish tend to key on a certain depth. Bring some salt or sand because getting out on the ramp can be tricky if temperatures dip below freezing.

MARCH
East Coast Steelhead
Squaretails hover just offshore from Lake Michigan tributaries in late winter, waiting for the first taste of runoff before scurrying inland. It takes about three days after a major gush for waters to clear and stabilize, and then it’s time to don polarized sunglasses and go sight-fishing for big gals in skinny water.

An egg-sucking leech pattern is effective for fly-fishers. More plebian pescadores can have a ball drifting spawn sacs or tossing little black Panther Martin or Mepps spinners with spinning gear.

The run starts on southern rivers like the Pike and Root, and then works up the coast to the Sheboygan, Pigeon and beyond. Don’t forget to buy a trout stamp with purchase of that new license required after March 31. For more information, call Jalensky’s Sporting Goods at (262) 554-1051 or the Door County Chamber of Commerce at (920) 743-4456.

Kegonsa Bluegills
Late ice and the first few days of open water yield bluegills of amazing dimensions just out from Quam Point and the state park. Stealth and a subtle presentation are required for fish of 10-inch-plus dimensions. Try a No. 10 black rat finkee with a red Lindy Teeny Munchie Tail plastic.