Sterling Lake is a 74-acre impoundment located in Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve near Wadsworth in Lake County, Illinois. Originally constructed in 1939 as the Vulcan Gravel Pits, this former gravel operation was acquired by the Lake County Forest Preserve District in 1974 with an emphasis on providing recreational fishing opportunities. The lake is situated adjacent to the Des Plaines River and connected via a 10-12 inch tube with a hinged gate that allows water to flow in during high water events. With a maximum depth of 23 feet, an average depth of 14 feet, and 2.3 miles of shoreline, Sterling Lake represents a maturing gravel pit fishery that remains relatively infertile compared to older lake systems.