Five fish. One lake. Year-round seasons.
Sterling's geography hides cold tailwater trout, deep-channel stripers, and brushpile crappie within an hour of each other. Pick your target.
Striped Bass
The trophy of Lake Sterling.
Sterling's stripers are world-renowned — fish over 40 pounds are caught every season.
Season — Year-round, peaks October–April
Crappie
Light tackle, heavy fun.
Black and white crappie stack tight around brush piles, submerged timber, and bridge pilings.
Season — Year-round, peaks March–May
Rainbow & Brown Trout
Tailwater jewels below the dam.
The Sterling River tailwater below Sterling Dam is one of the top trophy trout fisheries in the South.
Season — Year-round, peaks November–March
Channel & Blue Catfish
Deep water, deep hooks.
Lake Sterling's blue and channel catfish run heavy in the main river channel and tributary mouths.
Season — Year-round, peaks May–September
Largemouth Bass
Classic structure fishing.
Sterling's largemouth hold tight to bluff walls, points, and submerged timber.
Season — Year-round, peaks April–June