---
type: lake
name: "Big Sand Lake"
county: "Hubbard"
nearest_town: "Dorset"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 1639
max_depth_ft: 135
latitude: 47.00018
longitude: -94.96826
lake_score: 69
dnr_lake_id: "29018500"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/big-sand-lake
---

# Big Sand Lake

Lake in Hubbard County, Minnesota, near Dorset

- **Surface Area**: 1,639 acres
- **Max Depth**: 135 ft
- **Shoreline**: 8.2 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 20.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 69/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Big Sand Lake is a 1,639-acre lake near Dorset in Hubbard County, Minnesota. It reaches 135 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 20.9 feet, which is exceptionally clear for Minnesota.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 16 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the county. The lake is listed as infested with zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 26, based on 21 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- **Managed by**: county
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 16
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Muskellunge, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Brown Bullhead, Green Sunfish, Hybrid Sunfish, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Invasive Species

zebra mussel. Clean, drain and dry boats and gear before leaving.

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 26
- **Years of record**: 21
- **Earliest**: 2015-04-14
- **Latest**: 2013-05-13

## Nearby Lakes

- [Emma Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/emma-lake) - 1.6 miles, 78 acres
- [Little Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/little-sand-lake) - 1.8 miles, 410 acres
- [Blue Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/blue-lake) - 2.1 miles, 336 acres
- [Lower Bottle Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/lower-bottle-lake) - 2.2 miles, 641 acres
- [Pickerel Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/pickerel-lake) - 2.9 miles, 310 acres
- [Boulder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county/boulder-lake) - 3 miles, 341 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.00018,-94.96826)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=29018500)
- [All lakes in Hubbard County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/hubbard-county)

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