North Sterling State Park
State Park in Sterling, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily by appointment only.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
24005 CR 330
Sterling, CO 80751
United States
North Sterling State Park
State Park in Sterling, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Daily by appointment only.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
24005 CR 330
Sterling, CO 80751
United States
Navigate to:
A boat on the shore at North Sterling reservoir
Park Highlight
Explore North Sterling Reservoir
The park's main attraction is the 4,600-surface-acre reservoir. A boater's paradise, this large irrigation reservoir offers great coves and fingers to explore during the spring and summer months. Anglers, boaters and water skiers enjoy the water all day.
Reservoir Facilities
Facilities
Two public boat ramps are located inside the South and Elks entrances. Mandatory boat inspections are available at each boat ramp during posted hours.
During the summer gas, food, drinks, beer, ice cream, camping, boating and fishing supplies are available for purchase. Boat slip rentals are also available by calling 970-466-2279, in person and online at the marina store.
Activity
Boating
North Sterling Reservoir offers great coves and fingers to explore during the spring and summer months. The reservoir opens to boating in the spring after ice off and will stay open until October 31. Boaters may recreate anywhere on the water, but the land outside the park boundaries is private property. Please note the state park property boundaries shown on the reservoir map in the park brochure.
Know Before You Go
Cunningham Arm
To the southwest, Cunningham Arm is longer and narrower than Darby. Be careful of Goose Island, a shallow area marked by buoys at the mouth of Cunningham. As the water level drops, Goose Island emerges from the water and provides a safe haven for waterfowl where predators can't reach. The far west end of Cunningham is bordered by sandstone cliffs, offering cool shade for a quiet picnic lunch on your boat, and an interesting look at the geologic processes that deposited the many layers of sandstone that make up the bedrock of the North Sterling region.
Relax on the Shoreline
By boat, check out Darby Point and Rookery Point on the west side of the reservoir across from the dam. These shady areas offer fine shoreline fishing and a cool place to rest with a picnic.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the BrochureLand and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the BrochureAquatic Nuisance Species and Toxic Algae at North Sterling
To boat on the reservoir, a pre-launch boat inspection for aquatic nuisance species (ANS) at the boat ramp, an ANS stamp,and a current boat registration are required. Waterflea and toxic algae (Aphanizomenon) has been detected in the reservoir at North Sterling.
Non-motorized, hand-launched kayaks, canoes, rafts, belly boats, float tubes, paddle boards and foldable boats do not need to be inspected.
Inspection Hours
North Elk Ramp: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Ramp: Closed for the season.
Please go to the visitor center or call 970-522-3657 if an inspector is not present.
Waterflea and Toxic Algae
Avoid contact with algae as a precaution, do not drink the water, keep kids and pets out of the water, and if exposed, shower immediately. Waterfleas eat zooplankton (which are an important food for larval and juvenile native fish), tangle in fishing lines and can clog the eyelets of fishing rods.
Stop the Spread of WaterfleaFishing
Fishing
Throughout the spring, summer and fall, North Sterling is a popular warmwater fishery by shore or boat. Ice fishing is among the many activities available to the winter recreation enthusiast as park conditions permit.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is allowed when conditions permit. Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for North Sterling
Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page for more records.
Darby Arm
To the northwest, Darby Arm offers excellent wiper fishing. North Sterling's largest channel catfish of 2009 came out of Darby — 33 1/2 inches long and 24 pounds! For those seeking quiet and calm, the far west end of Darby Arm ends in a shallow marsh with great opportunities for wildlife watching.
Cunningham Arm
Goose Island and Rookery Point are the best areas to try here for walleye in the early part of the season. Walleye are generally caught by trolling bottom bouncers or crankbaits along the island and the point, or you may try throwing jigs and crankbaits to work the slope of Goose Island and the rocks of Rookery Point. The flats by the West Trailhead is a good area for beginning fishermen to troll worm harnesses for walleye and wiper.
Balanced Rock and the Dam Outlet
This area is at the north end of the park, near the Elks Entrance. When the outlet is flowing, several species of fish are drawn to the current, including wiper, yellow perch, bluegill and crappie. This excellent fishing area can be accessed from the shoreline below Balanced Rock or from the top of the dam. One preferred method of fishing in this area uses worm harnesses on the bottom, or other kinds of live bait (minnows, crawdads, etc).
The old boat ramp at Balanced Rock is closed to all boating access, and anglers may park vehicles on the ramp or on the shoreline below the ramp once water levels drop (at your own risk). This area is popular with anglers who have limited mobility and have difficulty walking long distances. Please be courteous and leave space for your fellow anglers.
Marina Point and Elks Bay
This area is accessible from the Elks Boat Ramp and a footpath just north of the Visitor Center. Elks Bay typically has excellent walleye fishing by boat, and Marina Point is a great spot for wiper, walleye and whatever else comes your way. Early in the season, rainbow trout are active in these waters, and the wiper fishing here is often best when the wind blows from the south. Once again, the primary tactics in this area include jigs, suspended minnows and crankbaits.
Sunset Point
North of Inlet Grove Campground and west of Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach, Sunset Point offers possibly the best catfishing on the reservoir. Fishing access is limited when the water is extremely high, but as the water levels go down, just park in the small dirt lot near the vault restroom, and a short walk through the trees brings you to the rocky point.
Inlet Footbridge
Fishing is not permitted from the footbridge itself, but this area allows great access to the deep inlet channel. Catfish are often found in the area, and when the water is flowing, wiper chase gizzard shad up the inlet canal.
West Trailhead
The West Trailhead of the South Shoreline Trail can be accessed by driving south on County Road 33 (turn right when exiting either entrance) onto the dirt road, then turn right onto CR-44 and right again onto CR-29. CR-29 ends at an access road to the parking lot for the West Trailhead.
The shoreline near this parking lot has a gradual shallow slope, and the cove west of the parking lot is a prime area for catfish and frequently a good area for wiper and walleye. The large flats make a wonderful foraging ground for channel cats near dark or shortly after dark.
Water Activities
Jet Skiing
Avoid the wakeless zone in the northeast section of the reservoir.
Paddle Boarding
Stand up and paddle the reservoir's 3,000 acres to enjoy stunning views, bird watching and a full-body workout. Remember to keep one life jacket on board per person, as well as a sound-producing device (like a whistle). Be watchful of the weather, especially strong winds.
Water Skiing
Get excited for water skiing! Make sure to display a 12-inch by 12-inch bright orange flag, Replacement flags are available at the Visitor Center.
Windsurfing
Well, we always have wind — are you up for it?