Mt. Sterling Lake

Black Crappie

Good

During the 2024 spring trap netting Black Crappie were caught at a rate of 5.9 fish per net night, for a total of 41 fish collected during the survey. Fish ranged from 4.6-8.9”. Only 3% of the catchable sized crappie exceeded 8”. Anecdotal accounts from anglers suggest that there are bigger fish present, however we did not see them in the netting survey. There is currently no restriction on crappie harvest at Mt. Sterling Lake.

Bluegill

Good

Bluegill were sampled at a rate of 42 fish per hour of electrofishing which falls below the management goal of 100 fish/hour. Fish ranged from 2.8-8.0”. 50% of the catchable sized Bluegill exceeded 6” and 5% measured 8” or greater. Average relative weight of Bluegill was 103. A trap net survey was completed 4/11-12 and yielded 46 Bluegill. Netting results yielded 83% of the catchable population measuring 6” or more, and 17% measuring 8” or greater. Bluegill quality is very good and should offer a good meat fishery for anglers wishing to harvest fish. Anglers can catch Bluegill on their spawning beds in the spring or near shoreline cover year-round with worms, crickets, or night crawlers.

Redear Sunfish

Good

Redear Sunfish are not at a high density in this lake currently, however the fish that are present are a large size. The 2024 spring trap netting survey yielded 8 Redear Sunfish ranging from 6.2-10.7”. Two fish exceeded 1.2lbs.

Channel Catfish

Good

No Channel Catfish were sampled in 2024. Channel Catfish are regulated with a 6 Fish Daily Harvest Limit. Anglers can catch Channel Catfish near deadfalls and stickups in the warmer months throughout the lake using bottom fishing techniques with cut bait, shrimp, chicken livers, dip bait or night crawlers.

Largemouth Bass

Good

The Largemouth Bass population met the catch rate goal in 2024 and in the previous two electrofishing surveys. Catch rates have ranged from 112-158 fish/hour of electrofishing. We collected 112 bass/hour of electrofishing in 2024, and those fish ranged from 4.9-20.0”. 48.7% of the catchable sized population exceeded 12”, while 2.6” exceeded 15”. Maintaining a high density of small-medium sized Largemouth Bass promotes higher predation on sunfish species, which then creates better sunfish quality. The biggest Largemouth Bass sampled in 2024 weighed 6.0lbs. Anglers can catch Largemouth Bass off points, deadfalls, and stickups in the warmer months of the year with plastic worms, jigs, spinners, crank baits, minnows, crayfish, and worms.