JACK WOLLITZ Favorite lakes? They ebb and flow

People often become inquisitive when they learn about my passion for fishing.
As the conversation gains momentum, many pop the big question -- "What's your favorite lake?" -- perhaps with the assumption they will gain insight about productive waters worthy of their attention next time they go fishing.
Put on the spot, I'll explain that I really don't have a favorite. But I do have places I favor for a variety of reasons.
The answer is that just about any of the waters in this corner of our world have had favored status at various times in my life.
When I was a youngster, I spent portions of most summer days fishing with friend in Poland Woods' Yellow Creek. We dug garden worms for bait to trick the chubs that roamed the creek's pools. Sometimes we hooked up with suckers or bullheads that were big game compared with the chubs.
So for a few years, Yellow Creek was my favorite simply because I could get there by bicycle.
A variety
Today, my options are many and varied. I've dunked the Ranger in just about all of the prime waters in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. I've had good days and poor ones.
But I still can't say unconditionally that I have a favorite place to fish.
I love Lake Erie for obvious reasons. The smallmouth bass fishing is world class and the walleye and perch fishing are second to none. Often, but certainly not always, it's as easy as casting out a lure and just working it a few minutes until something strikes.
The Ohio River also has smallies and walleyes. Fishing for the river's game species, however, is much different than going after them up on Erie. To me, it's more like "fishing" when I go to the Ohio River. I may catch more and bigger fish on Erie, but the feeling after a good day on the Ohio is rewarding in its own way.
So is my favorite Erie or the Ohio River? I can't decide without putting an asterisk on my answer.
Sometimes, Berlin is my favorite. Other times, it may be Shenango. Occasionally Milton gets the nod.
But at one time or another, all have gained my respect.
The reason why
My favorite lake depends on why I'm fishing. If it's to prepare for a tournament, my favorite lake is the one where the next competition is located. If it's for fun, it depends on what I want to do -- for instance, do I want to flip shore cover, cast crankbaits to rock structure or fine-tune a new technique where I know I'll get bites?
I really enjoy fishing most all of our local waters.
At Berlin, I know I can catch a nice fish or two early on topwater lures, then wile away the sunny portion of the day dabbling tubes and jigs in shoreline cover and jerk in some keeper-size bass.
Shenango Reservoir, managed by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission as a trophy lake, provides a thrill because each cast has the potential to produce a lunker largemouth or smallmouth strike.
Lots of options
Mosquito Creek Reservoir is a three-season, three-species option. The early spring walleye fishing is excellent. April crappie action is outstanding and the slabs go another eating binge in late autumn. The largemouth fishing is superb in the spring when the fish are up in the willows, and continues strong into summer when the bucketmouths move out to the weed beds.
Milton is nice because it's convenient and has just enough big bass and huge muskies to make the next pitch an exercise in hope.
Conneaut Lake near Meadville offers up a change of pace compared to the nearby reservoirs. Conneaut's bass and northern pike prowl the edges of sprawling weed flats where spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged plastics are productive.
And I've already reported why I love Lake Erie and the Ohio River, each with its own set of good reasons.
I just can't narrow down my list of favorites to one particular lake. They all deliver great opportunities to learn and explore, which is the real reason why many of us go fish.
Anything less, as a matter of fact, just might be a disappointment during those precious few moments when I can get out on the water.
jwwollitz@aol.com