Sand Lake
About Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a 195-acre lake near Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 58 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 3.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 14 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 21 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sand Lake
- 195 acres, up to 58 feet deep, near Grand Rapids
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 14 feet — very clear
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 195 acres
- Max depth
- 58 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 14 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 74 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 (gravel or earth)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Quiet paddling
- 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
- 11
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- 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 22
- Years of record
- 21
- Earliest
- April 3, 2000
- Latest
- May 9, 1996
- Most recent
- April 24, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sand Lake
Compare Sand Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Sand Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
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See how Sand Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Sand Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Lost Moose Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Alder112 acres
1.3 miles away
Burnt Shanty Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell198 acres
1.6 miles away
Cutaway Lake
29 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Alder307 acres
2.3 miles away
Burrows Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Marcell306 acres
2.5 miles away
Black Island Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Alder117 acres
2.6 miles away
Nose Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids114 acres
2.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Grand Rapids. It covers 195 acres and reaches 58 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake covers 195 acres with about 3.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 58 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sand Lake?
Yes. Sand Lake has 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Sand Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at 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 Sand Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Sand Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
When does the ice go out on Sand Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 22, from 21 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is April 3, 2000 and the latest is May 9, 1996.