---
type: lake
name: "Sand Lake"
county: "Itasca"
nearest_town: "Squaw Lake"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 3579
max_depth_ft: 70
latitude: 47.61055
longitude: -94.00864
lake_score: 66
dnr_lake_id: "31082600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/sand-lake
---

# Sand Lake

Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Squaw Lake

- **Surface Area**: 3,579 acres
- **Max Depth**: 70 ft
- **Shoreline**: 15.1 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 10.9 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 66/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Sand Lake is a 3,579-acre lake near Squaw Lake in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 70 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 15.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.9 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 20 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. 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 16 years of DNR ice-out records.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 20
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: Yes
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

### Special Regulations

- **Walleye**: All from 20-24" must be immediately released. Only one over 24" allowed in possession.
- **Sunfish**: Daily limit five.

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Tullibee (Cisco), Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, 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**: 16
- **Earliest**: 2021-04-06
- **Latest**: 2008-05-10

## Nearby Lakes

- [Rush Island Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/rush-island-lake) - 2.5 miles, 297 acres
- [Portage Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/portage-lake) - 2.6 miles, 715 acres
- [Cedar Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/cedar-lake) - 2.6 miles, 178 acres
- [Little Sand Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-sand-lake) - 2.7 miles, 353 acres
- [Little Whitefish Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/little-whitefish-lake) - 4.1 miles, 160 acres
- [Rice Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county/rice-lake-oslund) - 4.4 miles, 791 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.61055,-94.00864)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=31082600)
- [All lakes in Itasca County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/itasca-county)

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