Sandy

Minnesota DNR Fisheries IBI program staff conducted an assessment of lakeshore habitat on Sandy Lake on August 13th, 2025, following the Score the Shore survey protocols. The assessment consisted of 28 survey sites evenly spaced 100 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 84.6 (+/- 1.7) out of 100 possible. A score of 84.6 indicates the lakewide shoreline condition is Moderately High (80-84.9). Three sites were developed with a mean score of 63.3 (+/- 10.7) indicating shoreline habitat quality of developed sites is Poor (50-65.9), while undeveloped sites had a mean score of 87.2 (+/- 0.4) with High (85-91.9) habitat quality.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Sandy Lake was conducted on September 5-6, 2023 by Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) Program Staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample eight stations and site conditions prevented the use of seines at two stations. Nearshore sampling captured 11 species of fish including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and one species that is tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Green Sunfish). The nearshore data was combined with gill net and trap net data from a July 2020 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., Green Sunfish). 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. Data from this survey indicates Sandy Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold and the exceptional threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous survey findings, which indicated that Sandy Lake is an exceptional lake. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to the Upper/Lower Red Lake River Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Sandy Lake (04-0307-00) is a 103-acre lake located approximately 25 miles northwest of Bemidji near the village of Debs in Beltrami County. There is a State-owned public water access located on the northwest shore with a gravel ramp and parking for three trucks/trailers. Sandy Lake has a maximum depth of 72 feet. The lake has a very sharp shoreline drop-off to deep water. Sandy Lake is stocked with Walleye fry in alternate years to provide a more diverse angling opportunity in this Northern Pike and panfish-dominated small lake. The Walleye catch rate of nearly 3 fish per net was above average compared to similar lakes in the State. Walleye up to 22 inches in length were captured with a good average size of nearly 18 inches. While not a destination Walleye lake, anglers can expect to catch the species from time to time. Bluegill are the primary panfish species found in Sandy Lake. The Bluegill catch rate of 9 fish per net was on the low end of catch rates from similar lakes in the State. Bluegill had a small average size of approximately 5 inches in length with a small proportion of the catch measuring over 7 inches. Northern Pike were the most numerous species captured in the 2020 survey. The catch rate of 9 fish per net was slightly above the range found in similar lakes. Pike up to 25 inches in length were captured, with an average length of 19 inches. Other species of fish captured in the 2020 survey were White Sucker, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass and Yellow Perch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, and Northern Pike 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 72 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sandy is from 2023.

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.