Red Sand Lake
About Red Sand Lake
Red Sand Lake is a 521-acre lake near Brainerd in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. It reaches 23 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 4.6 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 10 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2017.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 13, based on 19 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Red Sand Lake
- 521 acres, up to 23 feet deep, near Brainerd
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 7.6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 521 acres
- Max depth
- 23 ft
- Shoreline
- 4.6 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 502 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 10
- Game fish
- 6
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2017
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 13
- Years of record
- 19
- Earliest
- March 6, 2024
- Latest
- May 8, 2013
- Most recent
- March 6, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Red Sand Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Whipple Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Baxter301 acres
1.4 miles away
White Sand Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Baxter415 acres
1.5 miles away
Perch Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Baxter266 acres
2.6 miles away
Wise Lake
11 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · Legionville135 acres
2.6 miles away
Hartley Lake
39 out of 100 Lake ScoreCrow Wing · East Gull Lake136 acres
3.2 miles away
Dade Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreCass · East Gull Lake99 acres
3.8 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Red Sand Lake?
Red Sand Lake is in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, near Brainerd. It covers 521 acres and reaches 23 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Red Sand Lake?
Red Sand Lake covers 521 acres with about 4.6 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 23 feet.
What fish can you catch at Red Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Red Sand Lake?
Yes. Red Sand Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Red Sand Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Red Sand Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Red Sand Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Red Sand Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Red Sand Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 13, from 19 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 6, 2024 and the latest is May 8, 2013.