---
type: lake
name: "Big Sandy Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "McGregor"
lake_type: "reservoir"
acres: 6125
max_depth_ft: 84
latitude: 46.75296
longitude: -93.27136
lake_score: 69
dnr_lake_id: "01006200"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/big-sandy-lake
---

# Big Sandy Lake

Reservoir in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near McGregor

- **Surface Area**: 6,125 acres
- **Max Depth**: 84 ft
- **Average Depth**: 21 ft
- **Shoreline**: 57 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 4.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: reservoir
- **Public Access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 69/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Sandy Lake is a 6,125-acre reservoir near McGregor in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 21 feet, and has roughly 57 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Aitkin County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.5 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 21 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. Special fishing regulations apply to sunfish and walleye, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There are 4 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, and township. Sandy Lake-COE is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with flowering rush — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 20, based on 131 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 4 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR, US Army Corps of Engineers, township
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 21
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.
- **Walleye**: All less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping, Picnicking

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Campground, Picnic Area

### Campgrounds

- Sandy Lake-COE

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Channel Catfish, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Bigmouth Buffalo, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

flowering rush. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 20
- **Years of record**: 131
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-16
- **Latest**: 2013-05-12

## Nearby Lakes

- [Minnewawa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/minnewawa-lake) - 3.3 miles, 2,351 acres
- [Glacier Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/glacier-lake) - 3.5 miles, 135 acres
- [Aitkin Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/aitkin-lake) - 3.6 miles, 659 acres
- [Horseshoe Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/horseshoe-lake) - 3.9 miles, 240 acres
- [Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/island-lake) - 4.1 miles, 244 acres
- [Rat Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/rat-lake) - 4.3 miles, 431 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.75296,-93.27136)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01006200)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/big-sandy-lake)*