Sand Hill

A Targeted Survey was completed on Sand Hill Lake on July 17, 2018 to assess the near-shore fish community. This data will be analyzed in conjunction with the Standard Survey that was completed in 2017 to evaluate the biological condition of Sand Hill Lake, and contribute to the assessment of the watershed. Ten sites within Sand Hill Lake were sampled during this survey, using a backpack electrofishing unit and seines. The fish community sampled during this assessment was not diverse, dominated by Fathead Minnows, Golden Shiners, and Yellow Perch. Many large schools of Black Bullheads were observed, yet few were sampled. Other species sampled included White Sucker, Iowa Darter, and Fathead Minnow. No Bluegills or other sunfish species were observed. No species intolerant of poor habitat conditions were found. The results of this survey suggest that the fish population in Sand Hill Lake does not meet expectations for lakes of similar characteristics, suggesting that this lake is likely biologically impaired.

Sand Hill is a 510-acre, class 39 lake located in southeastern Polk County approximately four miles south of Fosston. A dam on the outlet maintains the water level a few feet higher than would otherwise be the case. Available information indicates this dam was originally constructed in the late 1940's by the Division of Water Resources. Wildlife managers viewed the proposed dyke and dam as a good thing in 1947 because it would preserve the lake's water level during droughts. In fact, the lake's level was more than three feet below the crest of the dam at that time and it was viewed as an excellent waterfowl lake, especially for diving ducks. The Division of Game and Fish repaired or rebuilt the dike and dam in the 1950's and again in the mid 1980's when it was in poor condition and in danger of washing out. There are plans to replace the dam with a rock arch rapids in 2018. Sand Hill Lake is late mesotrophic with a trophic state index in the upper forties and is considered a marginal fish lake. During the 1980's when the dam was rebuilt, the area fisheries manager recognized the limitations of Sand Hill Lake as a fishing lake. Fish and Wildlife managers explored the option of lowering the dam and managing the lake for waterfowl rather than rebuilding the dam at its existing level. There was strong opposition by some property owners and this option was not chosen. The Sand Hill Lake Bible Camp on the east shore uses the lake seasonally for swimming and other water-based recreation. No DNR fish stocking has occurred since 1982. Sand Hill Lake's fishery has never been more than a temporary and subject to frequent winterkills. With few exceptions, most historical stocking has apparently not resulted in creating fishing opportunities because stocked fish rarely survived long enough to recruit to the fishery. Consequently, bullheads and Northern Pike have been the most consistent survivors. Although they were found in both of the two previous fisheries surveys and were reported as present in the game lake surveys before that, no Northern Pike were found in 2005. However, relative abundance of Northern Pike was extremely high just twelve years later in 2017 at 37.5 fish per gill net. The previous highest catch rate was 2.0 fish per net. The population of Northern Pike in 2017 ranged 13.8 to 32.7 inches in length. The average length of sampled Northern Pike was 21.9 inches. As would be expected in this bust-to-boom scenario, the Northern Pike population was young with age 3 fish far and away dominating the catch. Only one fish each age 5 and 6 were captured. Yellow Perch and White Sucker were first captured in Sand Hill Lake in 2005. In 2017, catch rates for these species were 23.5 and 10.5 fish per net, respectively. Yellow Perch lengths ranged from 6.1 to 12.6 inches, averaging 9.1 inches. Other species sampled in 2017 include Black and Brown Bullheads and Black Crappie. Only five Black Crappie we caught, thus making any judgments upon the status of the population difficult. The fish that were captured were adult fish, averaging 8.7 inches in length, and may have been the result of an unpermitted stocking.

DUE TO FREQUENT AND RECENT WINTERKILL, NORTHERN PIKE, BLACK BULLHEAD AND SOME MINNOW SPECIES ARE THE ONLY SURVIVORS. PIKE ABUNDANCE IS LESS THAN THE LOCAL MEDIAN; GROWTH IS GOOD AND AVERAGE SIZE IS NEARLY THREE PDS. BLACK BULLHEAD POPULATION IS PRESENTLY ABOUT AVERAGE IN ABUNDANCE BUT SMALLER IN SIZE. TYPICALLY, WALLEYE FRY SURVIVE WELL FOR A YEAR OR TWO WHEN STOCKED AFTER WINTERKILL, BUT, NEVER QUITE LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO REACH CATCHABLE SIZE.

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

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

Sand Hill has a maximum depth of 17 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sand Hill is from 2017. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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