Big Sand

Big Sand Lake is located seven miles northeast of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Big Sand has a surface area of 1,635 acres and a maximum depth of 135 feet. A state owned public access is located on the south shore of the lake off Grouse Road, next to the outlet of the Sand River. Access with small boats is also available from the inlet connecting to Lake Emma and from the outlet connecting to Lake Ida. Big Sand provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and panfish. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Big Sand Lake is in lake class 22. Class 22 lakes are generally very large, irregularly shaped lakes that are very deep, have clear and hard water. Other class 22 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Lower Bottle, Kabekona, Long, and Potato. The unique protected slot limit for Walleye on Big Sand Lake was removed in 2024 and reverted to the statewide regulation. Walleye abundance has been good in recent years. Walleyes from 7.4 to 27 inches were sampled, showing a few good year classes for anglers and smaller fish for the future. The average length was close to 17 inches. Both Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are found in Big Sand Lake. The average Largemouth Bass was 11 inches, while Smallmouth Bass averaged 14 inches. The largest Largemouth Bass was 17 inches, and the largest Smallmouth Bass was 20 inches. Rock Bass are abundant and increasing size in recent years. The average Rock Bass was 7.6 inches, with fish sampled over 11 inches. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Big Sand. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access.

Big Sand Lake (29-0185-00) is a 1,635.08-acre lake with a maximum depth of 135 feet located 2 miles north of Dorset, MN. Park Rapids Fisheries staff conducted a survey targeting near shore fish species on July 27, 2020 to assess populations of non-game and small sport fish. Eighteen 100-foot sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake shore, sampling a variety of habitat types. Each site was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot 1/8th-inch mesh seine, depending on habitat conditions. During this assessment, two sites were sampled with a 50-foot seine and sixteen sites were sampled with a 15-foot seine. Backpack electrofishing was done at all 16 sites. Nearshore sampling captured twenty species of fish including three species intolerant of disturbance; Banded Killifish, Blacknose Shiner, and Blackchin Shiner. Other species sampled during the nearshore effort included Bluegill, Bluntnose Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Common Shiner, Fathead Minnow, Golden Shiner, Hybrid Sunfish, Johnny Darter, Largemouth Bass, Mimic Shiner, Molted Sculpin, Northern Redbelly Dace, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch. Nearshore catches will be used along with gill net and trap net catch data from a standard fisheries survey conducted on July 20, 2020, to calculate a fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Big Sand Lake. This survey is contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. Big Sand Lake is located in the Crow Wing River Watershed.

Big Sand is located 2.5 miles north of Dorset in Hubbard County. Big Sand has a surface area of 1,635 acres and a maximum depth of 135 feet. A public access is located on the southeast shore of the lake at the outlet. Big Sand is noted for its Walleye population and exceptional water clarity. Big Sand has a protected slot length limit regulation that requires the release of all Walleye between 20 to 28 inches, with only one fish allowed over 28.0 inches in possession. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Big Sand is in lake class 22. Class 22 lakes have the characteristics of being deep, having hard water, and small littoral zone (lake area less than 15 feet in depth). Other area lakes in this same classification include: Kabekona, Long, Lower Bottle, and Potato. Walleye abundance was high for this lake class, similar to recent survey on Big Sand. An abundant 2017 and 2016 year classes are present and anglers will find good numbers of Walleye in the 12-16 size range. Sampled Walleye had an average length of 15.1 inches with fish measured up to 26 inches. Yellow Perch and Tullibee (Cisco) populations provide important forage for Walleye in Big Sand. Yellow Perch were sampled in low numbers for this lake class and their abundance has been low since the 2011 survey. Yellow Perch are small in size, with few fish of an acceptable size for angling. Big Sand has a low Northern Pike population, however, it is known for producing some large-sized fish. Northern Pike up to 34.4 inches were sampled. Tullibee (Cisco) and White Sucker provide an excellent forage base for growing large Northern Pike. Both Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass are present in Big Sand, with Smallmouth Bass the more abundant of the two species. Big Sand has excellent Smallmouth Bass habitat of rock, rubble, and sand bottom areas. Good size range of Smallmouth Bass are present in Big Sand. Largemouth Bass are present in low to moderate numbers and are concentrated in areas of preferred Largemouth Bass habitat. Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Big Sand. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals form their watercraft and drain all water form their boats before leaving the access.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Muskellunge, Rock Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass in Big Sand. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Big Sand has a maximum depth of 135 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

Yes — Big Sand has confirmed zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.