Sand

Sand Lake is a small lake located 20 miles northeast of Grand Rapids, MN. The lake has one public access and moderate shoreline development. The 2010 lake management plan (LMP) indicates Bluegill and Largemouth Bass are primary species of management with Northern Pike and Walleye as secondary species. The Sand Lake Bluegill population is typical of many small lakes with similar habitat, having moderate numbers, size and somewhat slower growth. The 2025 catch of 25.0 fish/trap net met the LMP goal and was similar to the two prior surveys. Bluegill ranged from 2.9 to 8.6 inches and averaged 6.4 inches. Nine year-classes were documented that ranged from age 2 to 10. Consistent recruitment and slower growth are common for lakes like Sand. Anglers could expect relatively good action from medium-sized fish. Largemouth Bass are best sampled by spring, night electrofishing but due to staff shortages and other area priorities, electrofishing was not conducted in 2025. In general, bass numbers have increased in many nearby lakes in the past 25 years, a similar trend for Sand Lake. In 2025, 14 bass were sampled in gill nets for a rate of 2.3/net, which was higher than other lakes with similar habitat. Bass ranged from 6.4 to 16.5 inches and averaged 11.5 inches. Anglers could expect moderate action from the medium-sized bass. Northern Pike catches have been stable and high relative to other lakes with similar habitat since 1979. The pike catch was 10.8 fish/net in 2025. The sampled fish ranged from 12.2 to 40.2 inches and averaged 21.1 inches. Though a few fish were larger, only 36% were above 21 inches. Eleven year-classes were estimated with pike ranging from age 1 to 12. Pike averaged 20.6 inches by age 4 which was similar to statewide averages. Anglers can help maintain some quality fish in the lake by releasing the few larger fish in the population. Walleye catches have ranged from 1.5 to 3.2 since 1974. The 2025 catch of 1.7 fish/gill net was lower than the prior two surveys (3.2 fish/net) and the LMP goal of 2.5/net. Although, the catch remained above average for this type of lake. The sampled fish ranged from 17.6 to 27.4 inches and averaged 23.5 inches. Six age-classes from age 4 to 20 were documented. All the sampled Walleye were the result of natural reproduction since the lake was last stocked in 1990. A small lake with a modest, older, natural Walleye population is vulnerable to angling overharvest. Yellow Perch catches have ranged from 3.4 fish/net in 1986 to 12.3 fish/net in 1999. In 2025, the catch of 6.8 fish/net was about average for this type of lake. The sampled fish ranged from 6.1 to 8.4 inches and averaged 6.9 inches. Perch are likely more important to the fish community as a prey source than a species of interest for anglers. Other species observed during the survey included Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass and White Sucker. The lone Smallmouth Bass (14.8 inches) sampled in a gill net was the first ever for Sand Lake.

Sand Lake is a class 28 lake located 20 miles northeast Grand Rapids, MN. The lake has one public access and moderate shoreline development. The 2000 lake management plan indicates bluegill and largemouth bass as the primary species of management with northern pike and walleye as secondary species. Trap-net catch rates for bluegill have been near the lake class median or above in all assessments. The 2009 trap-net catch was 25.3 fish/net which was similar to the 28.2 fish/net recorded in 1999. Bluegill lengths ranged from 3.1 to 8.2 inches and had a mean length of 6.2 inches. Seven year-classes were identified from scales ranging from age 3 to age 11. Age-6 and age-8 fish were most common. Growth rates were slow; mean back-calculated lengths-at-age were less than (<85% of median) those reported for class 28 lakes for all ages. Largemouth bass were sampled by electrofishing In June 2009. The catch of 80.2 largemouth bass/hr on-time was substantially higher than the 16.7 fish/hr observed in 1999. Many lakes in the area have experienced an increasing trend in bass numbers in the last 10 to 15 years. Largemouth bass ranged from 8.2 to 17.6 inches with a mean length of 12.5 inches. Seven year-classes were identified from scales ranging from age 4 to age 10. Mean back-calculated lengths for ages 1 to 3 and 7 and older were less than 85% of the reported medians for class 28 lakes. Northern pike gill-net catch rates have been fairly stable (7.5 to 13.8 fish/net) since 1974. The northern pike gill-net catch was 12.8 in 2009 which was above the 3rd quartile of 8.7 fish/net. The sampled fish ranged from 11.8 to 39.4 inches and had a mean length of 19.5 inches. The length distributions resulted in PSD, RSD-P, and RSD-M values of 24, 10, and 3 respectively. Eight year-classes were identified from cliethra and scales ranging from age 2 to age 12. Northern pike averaged 19.0 inches by age 4 which was below the statewide average of 20.5. Walleye catch rates have ranged from 1.5 to 3.2 since 1974. In 2009, the catch was 3.2 fish/gill net, the same as in 1999. The walleye gill-net catch rate was near the 3rd quartile of 3.3 fish/net for class 28 lakes. The sampled fish ranged from 11.5 to 25.4 inches and had a mean length of 17.9 inches. Six year classes from age 2 to 12 were identified from scales, opercles and otoliths. The 2006 year class was the largest having 8 of the 19 aged fish. The lake was last stocked with walleye in 1990 indicating all the sampled walleye resulted from natural reproduction. Growth was similar to statewide averages for all ages. Walleye averaged 16.0 inches at age 4. Yellow perch gill-net catch rates have ranged from 3.4 fish/net in 1986 to 12.3 fish/net in 1999. In 2009, the catch was 4.3 fish/net; near the lake class median of 6.5. The sampled fish ranged from 5.7 to 11.7 inches and had a mean length of 7.5 inches. Other species observed during the population assessment included pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass and white sucker.

Sand Lake is a 157 acre lake in the northern portion of Itasca County. The shoreline is typically sand or gravel and the water clarity is very good with a Secchi disk reading of 19.0 ft. Many of the landlocked lakes in northern Itasca County including Sand Lake have experienced rising water levels in recent years. The lake level responds to the ground water level which has been rising in recent years due to heavy rains and snowmelt. Walleye gill-net catch was 3.2/set which is near the upper end of the expected range for similar lakes, and is higher than the previous 1986 and 1976 netting surveys. Walleye size structure was good with roughly 60% of the population over 15 inches, and fish over 20 inches were common. Of the 19 walleye sampled in this assessment, 15 were from nonstocked year classes. The combination of rising catch rates, quality sized fish, and good natural reproduction are indicators of a healthy walleye population. Walleye growth was good with 5 year old fish averaging 18 inches. The majority of walleye greater than 19 inches are female. These female walleye tend to grow to a greater size than male fish, therefore to maintain a quality fishery anglers are encouraged to release walleye greater than 19 inches. Northern pike abundance is high in Sand Lake. In this assessment the gill-net catch was 9.2/set which is higher than the third expected range for similar lakes. Size structure was generally poor with very few fish exceeding 28 inches. Northern pike abundance has historically been high in Sand Lake and may be related to rising water levels, which creates ideal spawning habitat. Bluegill abundance in trap nets was 28.2/set and is within the expected range of similar lakes. Size structure was poor with no fish greater than 8 inches and an average length of 6 inches. Yellow perch abundance in gill nets was 12.3/set and was also within the expected range of similar lakes. Yellow perch numbers have increased from previous surveys, and may be related to decreasing northern pike abundance. Yellow perch were generally small with only one fish sampled greater than 9 inches.Largemouth bass were sampled with shoreline electrofishing this spring. Twenty-four largemouth bass were sampled with a catch rate of 16.7/hour. As a comparison, several good largemouth bass fishing lakes in the Grand Rapids area typically have catch rates around 20 fish/hour. Several fish between 3 to 8 inches were sampled indicating consistent natural reproduction. Size structure was generally poor, however, three fish between 17-19 inches were sampled.Lakeshore owners affect fish populations not only through fishing, but also through land use practices. It is important to leave a 30 to 50 ft buffer of native vegetation along the shoreline to prevent lawn wastes and sediments from entering the lake. In addition, if fertilizers must be used, lakeshore owners should use a brand containing no phosphorus. Nonfunctioning septic systems can also lead to water quality problems. Good water quality and fish populations are the direct result of good land use practices.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Sunfish, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Northern Pike 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 58 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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.