Big Sandy Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

01006200

County

Aitkin

Surface area

6,125 acres

Maximum depth

84 feet

Mean depth

21 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

3,327 acres, 54% of the lake

Shoreline

57.0 miles

Average water clarity

4.5 feet (Secchi disk, 140 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

McGregor

Latest DNR fish survey

October 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

43, since 1975

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

walleye 460

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, trout-perch, walleye, yellow perch, and 22 other species

Big Sandy Lake (E) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 8 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Big Sandy Lake (S Central) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 6 trailer spaces, run by Shamrock Township

Sandy River, Hwy 65 Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 6 trailer spaces, run by DNR Division of Parks and Trails

Big Sandy Lake (N) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 1 dock, 8 trailer spaces, toilet, run by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Infested waters list

flowering rush

Special regulation, Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River.

Sunfish: Daily limit five.

Special regulation, Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River.

Walleye: All less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

Eating advice, general populations

yellow perch: all sizes - 2 servings/week

Size

2,000 acres or more

Deepest point

60 feet or more

Public access

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  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.