🐟 What fish can you catch in Sterling?

Most commonly caught species around Sterling , IL : Largemouth bass - 2,364 reported catches Smallmouth bass - 941 reported catches Channel catfish - 508 reported catches Bluegill - 366 reported catches Freshwater drum - 224 reported catches .

📢 What are the latest Sterling fishing reports?

The latest Sterling , IL fishing reports are: @KurtAngler624 reported a nice Largemouth bass at Oppold Marina . @KurtAngler624 reported a nice Largemouth bass at Oppold Marina . @joesphratliff reported a nice White crappie at Threemile Branch . @felipetorres6106 reported a nice Rainbow trout at Centennial Park . .

Fishing in Sterling, IL

Q: 🎣 Where to fish in Sterling, Illinois?

Anglers in Sterling , IL recommend these top fishing spots: Rock River (IL, WI) , Pine Creek , Coon Creek , Green River , Thomas Park .

Q: 📅 What is the best time to go fishing in Sterling?

Download the Fishbrain app and see today's Fishing and Weather Forecast for Sterling , IL . We give you weather trends and help you find the perfect window to catch your next personal best. With Fishbrain Pro , you will get the following capabilities: Plan smarter: Get hour-by-hour fishing weather conditions. Fish at peak times: Use BiteTime™ predictions to maximize catches. Stay ahead of the weather: Get hyper-local, real-time updates. .

Illinois, United States

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Top fish species in Sterling

Latest Sterling fishing reports

Largemouth bass

Oppold Marina

length · weight

Largemouth bass

Oppold Marina

length · weight

White crappie

Threemile Branch

12 in · 1 lb

Rainbow trout

Centennial Park

length · weight

Hennepin Canal

length · weight

Creek chub

Pine Creek

11 in · 6 oz

Common shiner

Spring Creek

5 in · 2 oz

Freshwater drum

Coon Creek

length · weight

White bass

Hennepin Feeder Canal

8 in · 1 lb

Black crappie

Hennepin Feeder Canal

6 in · 3 oz

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Fishing regulations in Sterling

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Illinois can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of April 22nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Select species

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

Aggregate

There is no statewide size limit. Daily harvest limit is 6 Bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site-Specific Regulations. Only statewide regulations are shown herein, but you can access Site-Specific Regulations online.

Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

41°47′58.2″N 89°41′44.2″W

Regulations in the map

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FAQ about Sterling fishing

Anglers in Sterling, IL recommend these top fishing spots: Rock River (IL, WI), Pine Creek, Coon Creek, Green River, and Thomas Park.

Most commonly caught species around Sterling, IL:

Largemouth bass - 2,364 reported catches
Smallmouth bass - 941 reported catches
Channel catfish - 508 reported catches
Bluegill - 366 reported catches
Freshwater drum - 224 reported catches

The latest Sterling, IL fishing reports are:

@KurtAngler624 reported a nice Largemouth bass at Oppold Marina.
@KurtAngler624 reported a nice Largemouth bass at Oppold Marina.
@joesphratliff reported a nice White crappie at Threemile Branch.
@felipetorres6106 reported a nice Rainbow trout at Centennial Park.

Download the and see today's Fishing and Weather Forecast for Sterling, IL. We give you weather trends and help you find the perfect window to catch your next personal best. With Fishbrain Pro, you will get the following capabilities: