Sand

Sand Lake (#11-275) is a 43-acre lake located near Longville, Minnesota that has 1.30 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 8 feet. There is a state-owned public access on the north shore. This lake is also known unofficially as Upper Sand or Little Sand Lake. It is connected by a navigable channel on the south end to another, larger Sand Lake (#11-279). The catch of bluegill in Sand Lake (#11-275) in DNR test nets was similar to that found in other lakes of this type. Bluegill up to 8 inches were sampled. Largemouth bass were common in the lake, and those in the DNR nets ranged from 7 to 20 inches. Other fish species that are available for anglers to catch are brown bullhead, hybrid sunfish, northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow bullhead. Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium- to large-sized fish. Releasing these fish can help maintain balance in the fish community in Sand Lake and provide anglers the opportunity to catch more and larger fish in the future. Shoreline areas on the land and into the shallow water provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesotas lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines cant support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the waters edge provide habitat, prevent erosion and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.

Little Sand Lake is located 8 miles east of Hackensack in northern Cass County. There is a DNR public access off of County Road 46 in the northeast corner of the lake. Little Sand Lake is attached to Sand Lake via a navigable channel. Sand Lake has an area of 43 acres with a maximum depth of 8 feet. The Minnesota DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different lake classes based on chemical and physical characteristics. Sand Lake is in lake class 37. Lakes in this lake class are typically small in size with shallow depths, and moderate water clarity. Other area lakes in the same lake class include Three Island, Jackpine, Little Bass, and Smiley Lakes. An angler fishing on Little Sand Lake has an opportunity to catch northern pike, bluegill, black crappie, and largemouth bass.This was the first survey conducted on Little Sand Lake.Bluegill abundance was typical of other lakes in lake class 37. There were four different ages of bluegill sampled. Their growth rate was above average when compared to other lakes in the same lake class. To maintain or improve the quality, anglers need to use some restraint if large bluegill are really biting. Release the larger fish and keep the smaller ones for eating. Quality size bluegill have disappeared from many lakes due to excessive harvest by anglers.A total of 12 largemouth were sampled that ranged in length from 5.5 to 19 inches with an average length of 10 inches. Five different age classes were sampled.Other fish sampled were brown and yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed sunfish, northern pike, and walleye.Anglers can help maintain or improve the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest allows for the harvest of smaller fish for table fare, but encourages release of medium to large size fish. Releasing medium to large size fish will provide anglers with opportunities to catch more and larger fish in the future and can help maintain balance in the fish community.There is a fringe of waterlilies around the entire lake. Anglers need to be careful when motoring through or fishing in or near these plants to minimize damage to them. They are valuable habitat to different species of fish.Shoreline areas - on the land and into the shallow water - provide essential habitat for fish and wildlife that live in or near Minnesota's lakes. Overdeveloped shorelines can't support the fish, wildlife, and clean water that are associated with natural undeveloped lakes. The combined effects of all lakeshore owners "fixing up" their property can destroy a lake's valuable natural shorelines.Shoreline habitat consists of aquatic plants, woody plants and natural lake bottom soils. Plants in the water and at the water's edge provide habitat, prevent erosion, and absorb excess nutrients. Shrubs, trees, and woody debris such as fallen trees or limbs provide good habitat both above and below the water and should be left in place. Natural lake bottom materials like silt or gravel are more ecologically productive than pure sand trucked in for a swimming beach. A tidy lawn and a sandy beach make great spots for sunbathing and swimming but do little to provide habitat for fish and wildlife. By leaving a buffer strip of natural vegetation along the shoreline, property owners can reduce erosion, help maintain water quality, and provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife.Only if more lakeshore owners manage their shoreline in a natural condition can fish and wildlife populations on Minnesota lakes remain healthy and abundant. More specific information on protecting or restoring shorelines and watersheds is available through DNR Fisheries offices.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Pumpkinseed in Sand. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Sand. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Sand has a maximum depth of 8 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sand is from 2006. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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