Fishing near Sterling Heights, Michigan
Macomb County, population 134,346.
- 8 milesto nearest lake
- 2launches nearby
Pick for walleyePiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo, nearby stand in for Sterling Heights: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
What Sterling Heights offers anglers
With 134,346 residents in 2020, Sterling Heights ranks as a city in Macomb County. No lake page sits closer than Clinton River, 8 miles toward the east. With 476 acres, Stony Creek Lake is the largest nearby lake page. Trailering 10 miles gets you to Clinton River Cut Off Boat Access, the nearest launch page.
Lake St. Clair is in reach through Mt. Clemens Harbor of Refuge, about 8 miles out. 1 nearby lakes carry walleye on their MDNR lists, starting with Stony Creek Lake (Nort. Trout anglers can reach the Clinton River in about 10 miles. Shore anglers can walk out at Carter Lake at Thelma Spencer Park fishing site, Rochester Hills, 5 miles from town.
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| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Satellite clarity | Trout Type | Fish on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton River | 8 miles east | 50 | 0 | 3.4 ft (2023) | ||
| Stony Creek Lake | 10 miles north | 476 | 1 | 8.4 ft (2023) | ||
| Stony Creek Lake (Nort | 12 miles north | 108 | 0 | 6.9 ft (2023) | crappie, sunfish, northern pike | |
| Trout Lake, Oakland County | 15 miles northwest | 65 | 1 | 8.4 ft (2023) | ||
| Cusick Lake | 15 miles north | 38 | 0 | 16 ft (2023) | bluegill, pumpkinseed | |
| Walnut Lake | 15 miles west | 236 | 0 | 14.2 ft (2023) | black crappie, bluegill, brown bullhead |
Rivers a short drive from Sterling Heights
- Plum Brookunder a mile
- Red Run4 miles
- Middle Branch Clinton River9 miles
- Clinton River10 miles, Type 4
- Paint Creek13 miles, Type 1
Straight-line distances from the Census point for Sterling Heights; EGLE lake layer, MDNR Fish Atlas and trout regulation Types.
A map of the water near Sterling Heights
- Clinton River Cut Off Boat AccessLake Saint Clair, 10 miles
- Selfridge Boat AccessLake Saint Clair, 11 miles
Shore access close to Sterling Heights
- Carter Lake at Thelma Spencer Park fishing site, Rochester HillsCarter Lake at Thelma Spencer Park, 5 miles
- Firefighters' Park fishing site, TroyFirefighters' Park, 8 miles
- Stony Creek Lake (impoundment) fishing site, Shelby TownshipStony Creek Lake (impoundment), 11 miles
- Cass Lake fishing site, Orchard Lake VillageCass Lake , 18 miles
- Detroit River (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park) fishing site, DetroitDetroit River (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park), 18 miles
- Lake Orion fishing site, Lake OrionLake Orion, 18 miles
Big-water ports close to Sterling Heights
- Mt. Clemens Harbor of RefugeLake St. Clair, 8 miles
- St. Clair Shores Harbor of RefugeLake St. Clair, 12 miles
- Metro Beach Metropark MarinaLake St. Clair, 12 miles
How the streams near Sterling Heights are flowing
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinton River At Sterling Heights, Mi | 167 cfs, 7.95 ft gage height | Oct 24 5:00 am |
| Plum Brook At Utica, Mi | 2 cfs, 1.98 ft gage height | Oct 24 4:45 am |
| Clinton River Near Fraser, Mi | 228 cfs, 6.22 ft gage height | Oct 24 4:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 24, 2026 5:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Tackle and captains around Sterling Heights
Tackle stores within a drive of Sterling Heights
- Grand Pointe Marina of Detroitmarina, Sterling Heights, 3 miles
- L.L.Beanbait and tackle shop, Clinton Township, 5 miles
- Sportsman's Warehouse, 750 W 14 Mile Rdbait and tackle shop, Troy, 5 miles
- Marina Tsokurmarina, Macomb, 6 miles
- Parks & Recreation Departmentmarina, Saint Clair Shores, 10 miles
- Beacon Cove Marinamarina, Harrison Township, 10 miles
- Dockside Canvasmarina, Saint Clair Shores, 10 miles
- Lakeside Fishing Shopbait and tackle shop, Saint Clair Shores, 10 miles
Hiring a guide for Sterling Heights
- Bass Action Charterscharter, Troy, (248) 928-6589
- Woodland Rivers Guide Servicecharter, Rochester Hills, (248) 608-0908
- Captain Steve Jones Charterscharter, Harrison Township, (586) 469-2070
- Mr. Muskie Charterscharter, Saint Clair Shores, (586) 771-8817
Events registered around Sterling Heights
| Date | Event | Water | Fish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-05-01 | Michigan Walleye Tour – Sbwc | Lake Saint Clair | Walleye |
| 2027-05-02 | Michigan Walleye Tour – Sbwc | Lake Saint Clair | Walleye |
| 2027-06-19 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2027-07-11 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2027-07-17 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2027-07-18 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2027-07-25 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2027-07-31 | Cash for Bass | Lake Saint Clair | Bass |
| 2026-10-11 | Ken Valley Memorial & John Muliet "Big Dog", weight | Lake Saint Clair | Muskellunge |
| 2026-10-11 | Ken Valley Memorial & John Muliet "Big Dog", weight | Lake Saint Clair | Muskellunge |
MDNR Fishing Tournament Information System, public registrations for Macomb County, checked October 2026.
Stocking and records close to Sterling Heights
| Species | Weight lb | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Crappie | 3.39 | Stony Creek Lake | 2000 |
| Water | Species | Number | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton River | Rainbow trout | 37,467 | 2026-04-13 |
| Clinton River | Rainbow trout | 37,498 | 2025-04-16 |
| Stony Creek Lake | Walleye | 33,099 | 2024-06-12 |
| Stony Creek Lake | Walleye | 33,099 | 2024-06-12 |
| Clinton River | Rainbow trout | 37,481 | 2024-04-09 |
DNR State Record Fish table and MDNR Fish Stocking Report (FSIS), 2024 to 2026.
Statewide limits for water near Sterling Heights
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters) | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout in unclassified lakes | 5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inches | Open all year |
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations; walleye and pike rows for the Lower Peninsula. Lake pages show trout Types and any exception.
Piscifun reels worth packing for Sterling Heights
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Asked around Sterling Heights before a fishing day
Does Sterling Heights have a lake within a short hop?
Clinton River, 8 miles east.
How many miles to the first ramp from Sterling Heights?
Clinton River Cut Off Boat Access, 10 miles away.
Where can children cast from the bank near Sterling Heights?
Carter Lake at Thelma Spencer Park fishing site, Rochester Hills, some 5 miles away.
Is live bait for sale close to Sterling Heights?
Start with Grand Pointe Marina of Detroit, 3 miles out.
Which lake by Sterling Heights has walleye on its MDNR list?
MDNR lists walleye at Stony Creek Lake (Nort, 12 miles off.
Which Michigan county is Sterling Heights in?
It belongs to Macomb County.
Are trout creeks within a drive of Sterling Heights?
Try the Clinton River, 10 miles; it is regulated as Type 4.
Does Sterling Heights follow Upper or Lower Peninsula seasons?
Last Sat. in April, under the Lower Peninsula schedule.
Is there a daily license for Sterling Heights visitors?
Michigan sells a $10 daily license and a $76 nonresident annual.
Which port serves Sterling Heights?
Mt. Clemens Harbor of Refuge on Lake St. Clair, 8 miles away.
Make Sterling Heights your launch point
Every lake, launch and fishing site above has a page.