For anglers, the ultimate fun is hooking and reeling in a big fish, but since those are just two steps in the process known as fishing, we need some action to keep us entertained between bites.

Many of us pass the time between fishing trips by talking about our successes and listening for tips that will make the next excursion more productive. Talk is fun, easy and inexpensive, so the words flow and the discussions bloom.

One truth about anglers, of course, is they always have strong opinions. We’re always debating who catches more on a regular basis, whose fish is bigger, what bait is hotter and so forth.

In the spirit of debate, let’s consider which of our local lakes are your favorites. To get the discussion started, I’ll let you know what I think. Let me know whether you agree.

Mosquito and Pymatuning certainly are worthy of consideration. They are roomy waters where anglers can find plenty of elbowroom to cast and catch. They are similar in many regards, but diverse, too.

At 15,000 acres, Pymatuning is larger than its Trumbull County cousin and its 7,000 acres of angler-accessible water. Both have large areas of nursery water where fish can spawn, hatch and grow without fishing pressure.

Pymatuning and Mosquito are very good walleye lakes. Anglers can work a variety of patterns from trolling the breaks and flats to drifting stump field and jigging the weeds.

Both also are excellent bass waters, providing great action for those who like to beat the banks as well as those who prefer to keep one eye on their sonar screen while probing offshore water.

An important distinction in comparing the two sprawling reservoirs is the hard-bottom areas throughout Pymatuning, but particularly south of the causeway. The rocks, road beds and old farm foundations attract Pymatuning’s ample population of smallmouth bass.

Mosquito and Pymatuning also are super popular among crappie anglers for two very good reasons: Populations are healthy and plus-sized specimens are plentiful.

Fishing for bigger game? West Branch Reservoir has to be on your list.

Perhaps no water in Ohio is more likely to produce a muskie for you this year than West Branch. Its population of big fish has been steady throughout the years. Anglers who specialize in muskies often experience multiple-fish outings, and those who are fishing for panfish and bass also report numerous encounters with big fish.

Anglers looking to broaden their horizons rate Shenango Reservoir north of Sharon, Pa., high on their list of favorites. It is a rock-solid bass and crappie lake and supports a vigorous population of hungry hybrid striped bass.

Back in Ohio, Mahoning River impoundments Berlin and Milton are popular fishing lakes. Berlin features hundreds of quiet coves where anglers can hide from the pack. Like Berlin, Milton offers a variety of fish for anglers of all levels, and a high likelihood of tangling with a muskie.

No list of favorites would be complete without Erie. When adventure is the name of the game, Erie is the place to go.

So which is your favorite lake or river? Email your nominations to me, explain what you like and I’ll share some of your comments in an upcoming column.