Sandy

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sandy Lake, was conducted over several days, including June 26th and June 30th, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) Program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all 10 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample seven stations. Three stations were not seined due to dense aquatic vegetation. Nearshore sampling captured seven species of fish including one species that is intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Iowa Darter) and no species that are tolerant of disturbance. A concurrent summer trap net survey was also conducted by LBMA Program Staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline and in shallow offshore locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured six species of fish. Bluegill and Pumpkinseed comprised a majority of the trap net catch by number and Bluegill and Northern Pike comprised a majority by biomass. The trap net catch was light overall. The nearshore and trap net data were combined with gill net data from a July 2024 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead and Fathead Minnow). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. In addition to fish sampling, IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Sandy Lake on June 12th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 32 survey sites evenly spaced 150 meters around the lake. Assessments were made in three habitat zones: Shoreline Zone (the shore-water interface to the top of the natural bank), Shoreland Zone (land-ward from shoreline to development structure or 100 feet), and Aquatic Zone (lake-ward 50 feet of shoreline). The average lakewide habitat score was 90.6 (+/- 2.1) out of 100 possible. A score of 90.6 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is High (85-91.9). Approximately 16 percent of the sites were developed with a mean score of 77.0 (+/- 10.8) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Moderate (70-79.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 93.1 (+/- 1.2) with Excellent (92+) habitat quality. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Sandy Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the general use impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lake. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Sandy is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Upper/Lower Red Lake River watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Sandy Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Sandy Lake is a 261-acre lake with a maximum depth of 32 feet located about 20 miles northeast of Bemidji. There is a DNR public water access on the north shore of the lake with a concrete ramp and parking for eight trucks/trailers just off Sandy Lake Road. The access is shallow and can be difficult for larger boats. Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill and Northern Pike are the primary species found in Sandy Lake. Statewide fishing regulations apply to all species. Sandy Lake is lightly developed with moderate water clarity and average productivity. On the surface, Sandy portrays the appearance of a bass/panfish lake, and further investigation confirms this. With a large proportion of shallow water areas that support abundant aquatic vegetation, Sandy Lake's Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Black Crappie populations are doing well. Sandy Lake contains excellent habitat for Largemouth Bass. Results from nighttime electrofishing in 2024 showed a robust population for the Bemidji area with good average size between 12 and 13 inches and fish over 18 inches in length captured. Black Crappie and Bluegill catch rates were comparable to other small lakes in the area. Bluegill up to 9 inches and Black Crappie over 13 inches in length were captured in this survey; however, average sizes for these species were on the small side. Northern Pike are also fairly abundant. Pike up to 33 inches in length were captured but similar to panfish species, average size was on the small side at less than 19 inches in length. Sandy Lake is stocked with Walleye fingerlings on alternate years. Walleye numbers have been declining and remained low in 2024 compared to previous surveys as well as similar lakes.

Sandy Lake is a 260-acre lake with a maximum depth of 32 feet located about 20 miles north of Bemidji, MN. There is a DNR public water access on the north shore of the lake with a concrete ramp and parking for eight trucks/trailers located off Sandy Lake Road. The access is shallow and can be difficult for larger boats. Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Northern Pike and Walleye are the primary species found in Sandy Lake. Statewide fishing regulations apply to all species. Sandy Lake contains excellent habitat for Largemouth Bass. Results from nighttime electrofishing in 2019 showed an abundant population for the Bemidji area with a good average size of 13 inches and fish over 18 inches in length captured. Black Crappie and Bluegill catch rates were comparable to other similar lakes. Bluegill over 8 inches and Black Crappie over 11 inches in length were captured in this survey however the average sizes for these species were on the small side. Northern Pike are also a common species in Sandy Lake. Pike up to 26 inches in length were captured but similar to the panfish species average size was on the small side at less than 18 inches in length. Sandy Lake is stocked with Walleye fingerlings on alternate years. Walleye numbers have declined from previous surveys and were low in 2019 compared to similar lakes.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Walleye, Black Crappie, and Yellow Perch in Sandy. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Sandy. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Sandy has a maximum depth of 32 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sandy is from 2025.

No invasive species are on record for Sandy in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.