Sand Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

31082600

County

Itasca

Surface area

3,579 acres

Maximum depth

70 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

1,897 acres, 53% of the lake

Shoreline

15.1 miles

Average water clarity

10.9 feet (Secchi disk, 7 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Squaw Lake

Latest DNR fish survey

June 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

32, since 1957

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

bluegill 277, rock bass 56, pumpkinseed 39, northern pike 37, yellow perch 19, black crappie 12, hybrid sunfish 9, walleye 5

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 28 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (950,000)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fry (950,000)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fry (950,000)

Stocking years on record

8 of the last 10 (2017 to 2025)

Sand Lake Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 7 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Infested waters list

zebra mussel

Special regulation, Including connecting Birds Eye Lake, Little Sand Lake, Portage Lake, Rice Lake, and Bowstring River upstream to County Road 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge.

Walleye: All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession.

Special regulation, Sand Lake and connected Portage, Birdseye, Little Sand, and Rice Lakes and the Bowstring River upstream to the CSAH 35 bridge and downstream to the County Road 145 bridge

Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Fish consumption

Follow the statewide guidelines; fish from this lake have been tested

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.