Sterling Pond Fishing Guide, Ontario County, New York

• Overview

  Sterling Pond is one of the Ontario County waters in New York. Elevation runs to 1,096 feet. At 15 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Ontario County are larger. The town to know is Holcomb, 1.7 miles out. The nearest city of size is Rochester, 21 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Sterling Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Ontario County cover alewife, rock bass, white sucker and tessellated darter. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Sterling Pond gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 69°F and January near 22°F on the long-run figures. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Look for the thaw near early April; the fishing lifts straight after. Climate averages put the opening at about early April and the closing near mid December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Time your trip to Sterling Pond by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. Records show it does not hold water year-round. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try South Pond, 3.5 miles away. Check the position at Sterling Pond before loading the car.