August 4 -- canoe fishing for largemouth.  Warm day, calm water, but nothing biting.  Near the end, I tied into one of this lakes well known about Muskies!  Of course, my hands are full with paddle, cramped quarters, no net, "under powered" rod, reel, line, etc.  He put up a good fight and I realized the only way call this one a catch, was to get him to shore.  I was about ten feet away from shore when he flipped and snapped my line.  This is one of those cases where I was sad to not catch him, but sort of glad due to my "fragile" condition in my small boat.  My first ever Musky fight!  From the few glances when I had him next to the canoe, I'd estimate he was around 32-35 inches. No time for photos....the one that got away!

Fishing picked up late afternoon with a few nice crappies. A guy near me got a 23 inch walleye. Also, there is a new sign by the boat launch that says holes can be up to 12 inches. 

Just a couple of updates to Finatic's post...  Trailers are permitted but parking is limited to the grass overflow lot per the web site lcfpd.org and I've also used it.  Also, the boat ramp is concrete... not gravel.  Not trying to be a stickler.

All holes must be 6 inches or smaller per Lake County Forest Preserve website. 

Thanks Finatic!!!

Sterling Lake is located east of I-294 north of Rt 173 in Van Patton Woods Forest Preserve near Wadsworth.

Sterling Lake, formerly known as Vulcan Gravel Pits, was constructed in 1939. The lake is located adjacent to the Des Plaines River and is connected via a 10" to 12" tube with a hinged gate so water can flow in during high water events. The Lake County Forest Preserve District acquired the area in 1974 with an emphasis on providing recreational fishing opportunities. Sterling Lake is 74 acres, has a maximum depth of 23.0 feet, an average depth of 14 feet, and a shoreline length of 2.3 miles. A crushed limestone, multi-use path surrounds the perimeter. There are handicap accessible fishing piers and a gravel ramp for launching a canoe/kayak or electric-motor-only car-top boats. No concession facilities are available. No fish cleaning station is available.

Two pole and line fishing only. Trolling motors only.

69 acres

LAKE SIZE

23 feet

MAX DEPTH

666 feet

ELEVATION

BOATING RESTRICTIONS

Electric only

AMENITIES

Boat Landing

Camping

Swimming

Boat Rentals

Picnicking

Skiing

FISH TO CATCH

Black Crappie

Bluegill

Channel Catfish

Largemouth Bass

Muskie

Walleye

NOTE: This list may not be all inclusive of all speices present in Sterling Lake.

Is there a launch or some place to get access & parking. Tried looking it uo could not find one,

Thanks.

3 walleye 15-18 inches on the south side of the lake perfect day