Sterling State Park: hunting and access
Sterling State Park is 915 acres in Monroe County, next to Detroit Beach, listed by the DNR as "Open-Restricted" for hunting and trapping. Hunters reported 2,399 deer in Monroe County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's state parks hunting data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR reported deer harvest, 2022 to 2025.
State game and wildlife areasNational wildlife refugesState parks and recreation areasNational park landCounty, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landSterling State ParkCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 915 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Monroe County |
| Deer harvest unit | Monroe County |
| Hunting and trapping (DNR) | Open-Restricted |
| Early goose season (DNR) | Open-Restricted, Day After Labor Day - 9/15 |
| DNR parks district | Rose Lake |
| Nearest towns | Detroit Beach (next to it), Monroe (next to it) and Woodland Beach (next to it) |
What are the rules on Sterling State Park?
The DNR's map of state parks open to hunting lists Sterling State Park as "Open-Restricted" for hunting and trapping, with restrictions.
Restrictions the DNR lists: Open to Trapping & Waterfowl Only; Waterfowl hunting allowed from the day after Labor Day to 9/15 and in Jan. and Feb. during established seasons, except no take after 10 am and shooting from E shore of lagoons in a westerly direction only.
The DNR's note: Standard 450' Safety Zones apply around occupied buildings (not shown).
How many deer are taken around Sterling State Park?
Sterling State Park lies in Monroe County. Hunters reported 2,399 deer in Monroe County in 2025, against 2,145 in 2024.
| County | Sterling State Park acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County | 915 | 2,399 | 2,145 | 1,692 |
Harvest for the whole county, not the park alone: Michigan DNR reported deer harvest (license years 2022 to 2025).
How do you get to Sterling State Park?
Nearest towns: Detroit Beach (next to it), Monroe (next to it), Woodland Beach (next to it) and South Monroe (3 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-75, US 24, M 125 and M 50.
What other public land is near Sterling State Park?
DNR wildlife areas and parks open to hunting within 10 miles:
- Pointe Aux Peaux State Wildlife Area: 225 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Erie State Game Area: 4,162 acres, 5.2 miles away
- Pointe Mouillee State Game Area: 7,310 acres, 6.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Sterling State Park
Counting Sterling State Park itself, 1,332 of the 30,995 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.3%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records.
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| Land trusts and other open land | 639 |
| National wildlife refuges | 404 |
| County, city and regional land | 153 |
| State game and wildlife areas | 62 |
| National park land | 42 |
| State parks and recreation areas | 32 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Sterling State Park?
In Monroe County, next to Detroit Beach.
Can you hunt in Sterling State Park?
The DNR's map lists it as "Open-Restricted" for hunting and trapping. Restrictions: Open to Trapping & Waterfowl Only; Waterfowl hunting allowed from the day after Labor Day to 9/15 and in Jan. and Feb. during established seasons, except no take after 10 am and shooting from E shore of lagoons in a westerly direction only.
How much public land is around Sterling State Park?
1,332 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Sterling State Park included, by USGS PAD-US 4.1 and the DNR's state forest records. The closest other DNR area or park is Pointe Aux Peaux State Wildlife Area (2.7 miles).
Get a Michigan hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Michigan included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: Michigan DNR wildlife property project areas.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public) and the DNR's land ownership records (state forest).
- Deer harvest: Michigan DNR reported deer harvest (license years 2022 to 2025).
FilledTag is not part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.