Hi Bill Bo, I ice fished Sterling Lake last year and did pretty good there in the late afternoon  just on the other side of the break wall by the boat launch in 10 to twelve  feet of water. Nice sized crappie on minnows on a glow in the dark jig or minnow heads on a swedish pimple. Bigger blue gills on the east side of where I just mentioned on waxies. Hopefully this info helps. Good luck this season! Rick Romero.

.

Anyone have any luck ice fishing Sterling? Would like to try it out. Any info would be appreciated. 

Went out on 1/15 and 1/16 and caught some gills and crappie in 10 feet of water on the south  side of the breakwall of the boat ramp. Great spot to take kids right now because the action is nonstop. The crappies started getting bigger around 4:30. I caught 5  nine to ten inchers in 5 minutes on 1/15. Caught bigger gills on the east side of the lake in the late afternoon on 1/16. I left at sunset before the crappie start ed to bite.

Here is a link for ice fishing status.

http://www.lcfpd.org/current-winter-sports-updates/

I was hoping to get out there this week since I finally got a smaller auger. It looks like Independence Grove was open recently so I would think that Sterling should be open as well. The ice should be good after today and tonight but I might call before I head that way

Sign at entrance reads closed for ice fishing, but someone drilled some holes recently. I'm gonna try this one again later in the week. Ice looked okay to go on, unsure why it was closed but I follow directions. Anyone else ice fish here?

Son and I fished from the pier at the northwest end of the lake on early Saturday morning. We were soaking large minnows and roaches with no luck. Did see three youngsters move around to the northeast side and land a very nice 36" muskie. Two guys were in a small boat but did not see them land anything. Cold and sleeting. Water temp most probably too cold. Tight lines ! IC

Spring is now officially here and 2016 brings about a debate on whether I try Sterling Lake again. I live 10 minutes away and do not own a boat. I have not fished it in 2 years and have never even caught a cold at Sterling. I have tried crawlers and minnows under a bobber, I have tried spinners, Rat'L Traps etc. I have even set up a pole with crawlers on the bottom and not one bite in 3 trips. I have always gone in the morning and the only fish activity I ever see is by the floating dock area near the parking area where small bluegill/lmb's seem to congregate. Am I fishing the wrong area. I am using pretty generic baits as you see and would just like to get something out of this lake!

For all the lakes in Lake County, IL or most of them try this link for maps about them....

http://health.lakecountyil.gov/Population/LMU/Pages/Bathymetric-Lake-Maps.aspx

Wondering what the deepest part of the lake you can access from shore is?