Sand

Sand Lake is located about fifteen miles west of Isabella on the west side of Lake Co Hwy 2 and is 486 acres in size with a maximum depth of 11 feet. The primary access is a carry in at the Sand Lake rustic campground maintained by the Forest Service. A second access is located at the end of Forest Service 941, a 0.4 mile spur that originates on Hwy 2. A small boat and trailer can be turned around by hand to launch, but space for parking is limited. This trail is narrow, rough, and a four-wheel drive vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended. Walleye have been the primary management species in Sand Lake since the first Lake Management Plan in 1987. The lake was stocked with Walleye fry for many years. In 2016 the decision was made to end stocking due to consistent strong year classes produced in non-stocked years. In 2000, adult Bluegill of various sizes were stocked in the lake and have since established a self-sustaining population with excellent size structure. The lake currently has a special regulation of a reduced bag limit on Bluegill of 5 daily and 20 in possession to help preserve this quality fishery. The 2022 Walleye gill net catch of 14.44/lift was higher than average compared to similar lakes and was the highest catch on Sand Lake since 1961. The average weight was 0.65 pounds, which is below the normal range compared to similar lakes. The average length was 11.9 inches with the largest fish sampled measuring 25.6 inches long. Analysis determined over 85% of Walleye were from non-stocked years with several strong year classes produced since stocking was discontinued. Survey results suggest that Walleye 12-15 inches long currently provide good opportunities for anglers. With the highest catch in 60 years and most of the fish naturally reproduced it is apparent that the decision to end Walleye stocking was a sound one at this time. The Bluegill trap net catch of 3.33/lift with an average weight of 0.21 pounds was within the normal range compared to other similar lakes. Growth was also average for the area. While there are some very nice Bluegill present, most anglers report catching an occasional keeper while fishing for Walleyes and Perch. The Northern Pike gill net catch of 3.44/lift with an average weight of 1.60 pounds was within the normal range of other similar lakes. Average length was 19 inches long. The largest fish sampled was 33 inches long with just 10% of the catch at least 24 inches. Survey results suggest than most of the Northern Pike are small, but there is a reasonable chance at catching a memorable sized fish. The Yellow Perch gill net catch of 6.22/lift with an average weight of 0.24 pounds is average compared to other similar lakes. Most of the catch was between 6.5-9.5 inches long with 21% longer than 9 inches and the largest fish measuring 10.9 inches long. These results suggest that the lake currently supports a perch population with decent opportunities for angler harvest.

Sand Lake is one of only a few lakes in the Finland area to have a fishable population of Bluegill. The species was reintroduced into the lake in 2000 and have since established a naturally reproducing population. An experimental regulation that reduced the daily limit to 5 Sunfish was placed on the lake beginning in 2006 and continues today in the form of a special regulation. The purpose of the regulation has been to protect the newly established population from overharvest because fish generally grow slowly and require many years to reach a size harvested by anglers. The 2021 spring trap net survey was the fourth assessment specifically targeting adult Bluegill in the lake. The catch rate of 8.83 fish per trap net was the highest to date and the 159 adult fish sampled was significantly more than the previous spring survey. Size structure was impressive with more than 80% of the Bluegill between 8 and 10 inches long and the largest fish measuring 10.5 inches. Analysis of scale samples collected during the survey determined Bluegill as old as twelve years old were sampled, and fish age-8 to age-10 accounted for a majority of the catch. Relatively few smaller, younger fish were sampled in 2021 which is not entirely unexpected for this type of survey and is similar to previous results from this lake.

Sand Lake is characterized as a lake class 12 lake and is located 15 miles west and two miles south of Isabella in the Superior National Forest. Public access is a carry down at the campground on the east side of the lake. A second access is present at the narrows leading to the north rice bay. From 5.9 miles south of State Hwy. 1 on Lake Co. Rd. 2 go west 0.4 miles on USFS Rd. #941 to Sand Lake. This access road is narrow and brushy with little parking and a poor turn around area. Light boats on trailers can be launched but trailers must be disconnected and turned around by hand. The lake is 486 acres with a maximum depth of 11 feet and a Secchi disc reading of three feet in dark brown bog stained water. The 2014 Walleye gill net catch of 11.1/lift was above average for lake class 12. Historically, Sand Lake Walleye catch was higher than average with smaller than average size fish. Of 105 fish sampled only five were greater than 15 inches with the largest fish 24.2 inches and weighed five pounds. The Walleye population appears to be heavily supported by stocking as 78% of the fish caught were from stocked years. Walleye fry are stocked two consecutive years out of every four. Growth was slower than average for the Finland Area. Northern Pike gill net catch of 0.3/lift was well below average and the lowest catch on record. Historically the Northern Pike catch is near 3/lift. Mean weight of 1.2 pounds was below average, but similar to the past four investigations. The largest fish sampled was 21.3 inches and weighed 1.7 pounds. Yellow Perch gill net catch of 3.7/lift was below average. The mean weight of 0.15 pounds was average, but the smallest in all past investigations. Catch the past four investigations ranged from 3.3-15.6/lift. Yellow Perch in the past were caught in much higher numbers and size. Bluegill trap net catch of 0.3/lift was below average and the lowest catch in summer assessments after the Bluegill reintroduction in 2000, the highest catch was 2/lift in 2011. Mean weight of 0.3 pound was above average. A special regulation of decreased bag limit of five daily and in possession is in effect on Sand Lake. As part of the regulation evaluation, spring trap net assessments were done targeting Bluegills while they are in the shallows searching for spawning sites. During these investigations a few Bluegills were documented in the 10 inch size range, weighing around a pound each. Anglers should show some restraint harvesting numbers of big Bluegills as it takes about 10 years to grow to one pound, they can be easily caught at times and reproduction in this area is usually very sporadic.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, and Bluegill in Sand. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Sand has a maximum depth of 11 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sand is from 2022.

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.