Lake County · lake · 87 acres
Sterling Lake
Stocked 13× since 2021 · Illinois DNR
Sterling Lake is a lake in Lake County, Illinois, stocked with Channel Catfish, Muskellunge and Walleye — most recently on Jan 1, 2026. FishableWaters aggregates every stocking record for this water from Illinois DNR; the latest schedule and today's bite windows are above.
Best days this week
Days near a new or full moon tend to fish best.
Today's bite windows
Conditions, next 3 days
Today
Overcast
87°
58°
10 mph
0%
Fri
Rain
85°
64°
13 mph
62%
Sat
Showers
69°
66°
19 mph
83%
→ pressure steadyStable weather — expect a normal bite.
Stocking ledger
| — 2026 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 6,184 | 2" | |
| — 2025 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 579 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 157 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 5,208 | 2" | |
| — 2024 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 495 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 5,170 | 2" | |
| — 2023 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 504 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 158 | ||
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 3,290 | 2" | |
| — 2022 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 503 | 5.5" | |
| Jan 1 | Walleye | 5,100 | 2" | |
| — 2021 — | ||||
| Jan 1 | Channel Catfish | 273 | 9" | |
| Jan 1 | Muskellunge | 171 | ||
When does Sterling Lake get stocked?
Going by 13 records since 2021, stocking here peaks in January.
Angler reports
What's biting
No reports yet — be the first
Best bite times
No reports yet
Field notes
No notes yet
All Illinois waters with channel catfish → · All Illinois waters with muskellunge →
Nearby waters
- Pleasant Lake2.9 mi
- Mill Creek4.0 mi
- Lake Andrea4.0 mi
- Elmwood Farms Lake3.6 mi
- River Oaks Lake5.4 mi
- Center Creek5.5 mi
- Huntley Lake4.5 mi
- Deer Lake4.9 mi
Seasons, limits, and rules are the state's call — check the official IL regulations and buy your license before you go. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Sterling Lake fishing — FAQ
What fish are stocked in Sterling Lake?+
Sterling Lake is stocked with Channel Catfish, Muskellunge and Walleye in Lake County, Illinois, most recently on Jan 1, 2026 by Illinois DNR. The full stocking ledger is on this page.
When does Sterling Lake get stocked?+
Going by 13 records since 2021, stocking at Sterling Lake peaks in January. Check this page for the season's scheduled and most recent stockings.
Do I need a license to fish Sterling Lake?+
Yes — Illinois requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check current seasons and limits before you go; both are linked on this page.
Where is Sterling Lake?+
Sterling Lake is a lake in Lake County, Illinois. Driving directions and an interactive topo map are on this page.
Data: Illinois DNR · updated Jan 1, 2026 · checked daily · we publish what agencies publish, nothing else.