Sand

Sand Lake is a 779 acre lake located 10 miles north of Virginia. The lake was not stratified on 08/21/2023, had a temperature of 73F, a secchi visibility of 6.3 feet, and a max depth of 15 feet. The water had a green tint. Sand is highly developed and aquatic vegetation is very abundant. The Sand Lake Association operates a permitted weed-harvester to control the top 4 feet of aquatic vegetation. There is a private access at Voyageur's Sand Lake Resort on the lake's northeeast side off State Highway 53. The access is basically a sand beach and space is limited for launching and parking. The landing is quite shallow and may be difficult to launch a large boat from. A small fee is required for use. Fish sampling during the 2023 standard survey consisted of 6 gill nets and 12 trap nets. Electrofishing for bass was not conducted in 2023 but was completed in 2018. Ten species of fish were sampled in 2023. Northern pike and bluegill dominated the gill net and trap net catches, respectively. Black crappie were also sampled in above average numbers. Yellow perch were sampled in below average numbers and walleye were rare. White sucker were absent from the gill net catch and scarce in trap nets. Northern pike abundance (19.3/net) was well above average for Sand Lake and the Tower area. The average northern pike sampled was 22 inches. Sizes from all gears ranged from 11 to 36 inches. Average length of pike in trap nets was noticeably higher at 25 inches. Anglers could expect excellent pike action and opportunity to harvest. Bluegill abundance (16.3/net) was also well above average for both Sand Lake and the Tower area. The average bluegill sampled was 7 inches, and lengths ranged from 3 to nearly 9 inches. Bluegill larger than 8 inches represented 14% of the catch. Growth was slow compared to similar lakes. Recruitment was consistent with no missing years. Black crappie numbers (7.7/net) were above average. The average crappie was not quite 7 inches which was below average for Sand. Lengths ranged from 4.5 to 12 inches. Black crappie larger than 10 inches represented over 10% of the catch. Growth was below average for the area. 2017 and 2015 were strong year classes, but there were no missing years. Largemouth bass were present in both gears. Lengths ranged from 10.5 to 18. inches. Standard survey gear paints an incomplete picture of bass abundance, but largemouth are likely still thriving in Sand Lake.

Sand Lake is located approximately 8 miles north of Virginia within the Superior National Forest. This lake is highly developed compared to other lakes in the area. Aquatic vegetation can be commonly found throughout this shallow sand bottomed lake. There is a private access at Voyageur's Sand Lake Resort on the lake's NE side off State Highway 53. The access is basically a sand beach and space is limited for launching and parking. A small fee is required for use. There are no public campsites present for use. Ten species of fish were sampled during the 2018 survey of Sand Lake. Northern pike were abundant with bluegill and black crappie also sampled in above average numbers. Largemouth bass were sampled in good numbers during night electrofishing efforts in 2018. The remaining fish species including walleye, were sampled in below average numbers. Northern pike numbers in 2018 (19.3/gill net) were well above the historic average (5.5/gill net) for Sand Lake and well above average (3.6/gill net) compared to other similar lakes in the area. Pike average length was 22.5 inches which is larger than the historic average length of 20.0 inches. Approximately 27% of the pike sampled in 2018 were 24 inches or larger with a maximum length of 37.8 inches recorded. Bluegill numbers in 2018 (13.8/trap net) were above the historic average (3.5/trap net) for this lake and above average (3.0/trap net) when compared to other lakes in the area that are similar. Bluegill average length was 5.5 inches which is smaller than the past average length of 6.2 inches. The largest bluegill sampled was 8.3 inches long. Black crappie abundance in 2018 (7.6/trap net) was above the historic average (3.3/trap net) and above average (2.4/trap net) compared to similar area lakes. Crappie average length was 6.2 inches which is smaller than the past average of 8.7 inches. The largest crappie sampled measured 11.7 inches. Twenty-nine largemouth bass (19.3/hr on-time) were sampled by electrofishing in 2018. Largemouth average length was 12.5 inches and the largest bass measured 17.9 inches. Approximately 62% of the largemouth sampled were 12 inches or larger. The aging data and size distribution suggests that natural reproduction of largemouth bass in Sand Lake is good.

Sand Lake is located approximately 8 miles NW of Virginia in the Superior National Forest. The shoreline is approximately 60 percent developed and large pines are common around the lake. Submerged aquatic plants are common in this shallow lake. The Sand Lake Association has developed an Aquatic Plant Management Plan that includes a strategy for submerged aquatic vegetation removal for recreational access. There is an access located at Voyageur's Sand Lake Resort on the northeast side off State Highway 53. The access is basically a sand beach with little room for parking with trailers. There is a small fee payable at the resort to access the lake. Northern pike numbers in 2014 (8.2/gill net) were higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Pike sizes averaged 19.5 inches long which was average for the lake. The largest pike sampled was 40 inches long. Yellow perch numbers in 2014 (3.2/gill net) were lower than average for all assessments on this lake. Perch sizes averaged 7.2 inches long which is slightly larger than average for this lake. The largest perch sampled was 9.2 inches long. One 21.8 inch walleye (0.2/gill net) was sampled in 2014 which marks a decline from the long term average of 8.1/gill net for all assessments on this lake. Seven larger walleye from 25 to 28 inches long were also sampled in the trap nets. Walleye have not been stocked since 2009, when they were privately purchased. Bluegill numbers in 2014 (24.6/trap net) were higher than average for all assessments on this lake. Bluegill sizes averaged 6.9 inches long. The largest bluegill sampled was 8.7 inches long. Black crappie numbers in 2014 (7.7/trap net) were higher than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. Crappie sizes averaged 8.3 inches long which is smaller than the long term average for all assessments on this lake. The largest crappie sampled was 11.3 inches long. Five additional species of fish were sampled in 2014 in relatively low numbers. Largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, hybrid sunfish, golden shiner and white sucker were represented in the catch.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, and Black Crappie 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 15 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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.