Sand

Sand Lake is located in north central Stearns County, three miles southwest of Albany. It has a surface area of 202 acres and a maximum depth of about 15 feet. A public access is located along the west shore. Due to the shallowness of the lake and poor water quality, the lake periodically experiences partial winterkill. This occurred most recently during 2011. A population assessment was conducted in 2012 to assess fish populations, and included spring electrofishing and summer trap netting. Catch rates were compared to lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations. Sand Lake is managed for walleye and crappie, and these species can grow quickly following winterkill events. Walleye were stocked as fry in 2005, and survival was moderate (21.5 fingerlings/hour), based on night electrofishing in the fall of 2005. Gillnets, which sample walleye most effectively, were not used in the 2012 survey and only one 20 inch walleye was sampled by trap nets. Anglers have reported some success for walleyes in Sand Lake, but a more thorough assessment that includes gillnets would be necessary to accurately measure walleye abundance. The population of black crappie appeared to be very good both in terms of numbers and average size. Black crappies were sampled at a rate of 318/trap net, which is over 15 times greater than the range typically found in lakes similar to Sand. Most of the crappies were about 7.5 inches in length, but 13 percent of the crappies sampled were greater than nine inches. Without additional winterkill, these crappie should provide a good fishery for the next few years. Only three largemouth bass were captured in a half hour of electrofishing. The water clarity was very poor at the time of sampling and likely affected the catch. The bass ranged in size between 15 and 17 inches in length. Smallmouth bass have also been sampled in previous surveys. The catch rate of bluegill was within the range of expected values for similar lakes. Most bluegill were between 5-7 inches in length. Only one northern pike (25 inches) and one yellow perch (8.5 inches) were sampled in trap nets. Other species sampled during the survey included bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, common carp, hybrid sunfish, and golden shiner. Large numbers of common carp were observed during the spring electrofishing and most were between 14 and 16 inches in length. Despite the fact that the watershed of Sand Lake is quite small, water quality is poor. Nutrients entering the lake from run-off, as well as those re-suspended from the lake bottom, create nuisance algal blooms. The reduced water clarity also limits growth of submersed aquatic plants, which provide important fish habitat. Much of the shore is lined with cattails and bulrush, which offers habitat for fish and wildlife, and also provides protection from shoreline erosion.

Sand Lake is located in north central Stearns County, three miles southwest of Albany. It has a surface area of 202 acres and a maximum depth of 12 feet. A public access is located along the northeast shore, and has a boat ramp. Due to the shallowness of the lake and the poor water quality, the lake periodically experiences partial winterkill. This occurred most recently during 1998, and the fishery is currently in recovery. A survey was conducted in 2002 to assess fish populations, and included fall electrofishing and summer netting (trap nets, gill nets, and seines). Catch rates were compared to lakes with similar characteristics as a way to evaluate the fish populations of Sand Lake. The survey also included water chemistry analysis, watershed mapping, and an aquatic plant survey.Sand Lake is managed for walleye and crappie, and these species can grow quickly following winterkill events. Walleye were stocked as fry in 1999, but survival was probably low, since few were seen during the 2002 survey. However, fry that were stocked in the spring of 2002 did appear to have good survival, based on electrofishing in the fall. Black crappie did not need to be stocked following the partial winterkill, since adequate numbers of broodstock survived. The population appeared to be within the normal range in 2002, both in terms of number and average size. Most of the crappie were from the 1998 year class (eight inches in 2002), and should provide a good fishery for the next few years.Bass populations were sampled by electrofishing in the fall. Twenty-four largemouth bass were captured in one hour of sampling. The largemouth bass catch rate was lower than average for the area, but the population is probably still expanding. Most of the bass were in a small size range, about 13 inches in length. Smallmouth bass were not seen during electrofishing, but two young-of-year smallmouth were caught by other sampling methods.The catch rate of bluegill was high in 2002, while average size was within the normal range. Most bluegill were between 5.5-7 inches, and a large number of these were estimated to be from the 1997 year class. This would mean that these fish survived during the winterkill. Other species sampled during the survey included black bullhead, carp, white sucker, and golden shiner.Despite the fact that the watershed of Sand Lake is quite small, water quality is poor. Nutrients entering the lake from run-off, as well as nutrients that are stirred up from the lake bottom, create nuisance algal blooms. The reduced water clarity also limits growth of submersed aquatic plants, which provide important fish habitat. Much of the shore is lined with cattails and bulrush, which offers habitat for fish and wildlife, and also provides protection from shoreline erosion.

Northern Pike, Walleye and White Sucker were the most important species caught in the gill nets. Northern Pike were sampled at a rate of 4.7/ gill net, the local median. Fish ranged from 19-30 inches with the modal length group at 26 inches. Growth was good. Walleye were sampled at 1.3/gill net and ranged in length from 17-24 inches with an averge of 20 inches. Growth was fast. These are non-stocked fish. White Sucker were very common and were more than 11 times the statewide median. Principle species sampled in trap nets were Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Bullhead. Bluegill were abundant and ranged in length from less than three inches to 7.2 inches. Modal length group was 3.5-3.9 inches. Growth was good. No Largemouth Bass were sampled during spring shoreline seining assessments. Common Carp were abundant. These were primarily young of the year of 3-4 inches.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed, and Green Sunfish 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 15 feet and a mean depth of 7.2 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Sand is from 2012. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

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.