Sterling Reservoir Fishing in Burleigh County, North Dakota

• Overview

  Look for Sterling Reservoir in the Burleigh County part of North Dakota. It sits in mixed forest country. It runs to roughly 60 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. On size it sits at the modest end of our Burleigh County list. Nearest town is Lincoln, 20 miles off. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 165 miles away. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Sterling Reservoir

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name bluegill, northern pike, common carp and largemouth bass. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Work Sterling Reservoir in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 8°F in January to roughly 70°F in July. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. The lid tends to go about mid April and return around late November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. That is the shape of the year on Sterling Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. If the gate is shut, Cottonwood Lake at 6.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Sterling Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.