Sterling Pond, Connecticut: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Sterling Pond in the Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region part of Connecticut. Elevation runs to 328 feet. Small at around 15 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Moosup, is 2.7 miles away. The nearest city of size is Providence, 23 miles away. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Sterling Pond

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. County-wide records name bluegill, smallmouth bass, yellow bullhead and largemouth bass. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. At Sterling Pond the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 70°F and January about 26°F. Ice comes and goes from one year to the next. In milder years the edges alone go, and the middle never sets. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Sterling Pond rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. This falls in or next to protected ground, so rules will be tighter than usual. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Oneco Pond at 1.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Signs at Sterling Pond carry more weight than any list.