Sand Lake
About Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a 486-acre lake near Isabella in Lake County, Minnesota. It reaches 11 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 8.1 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.1 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and burbot. 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 sunfish, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2022.
There is one public boat launch (gravel or earth surface) managed by the US Forest Service. A campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Sand Lake
- 486 acres, up to 11 feet deep, near Isabella
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth) — managed by the US Forest Service
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, and burbot
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 4.1 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (gravel or earth)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 486 acres
- Max depth
- 11 ft
- Shoreline
- 8.1 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.1 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 486 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)
- 1 carry-in access
- Camping (1 mapped)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- 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
- 9
- Game fish
- 7
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2022
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Special regulations on this lake
- Sunfish: Daily limit five.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
1 campground is mapped on or near Sand Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Sand Lake
Compare Sand Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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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
Stony Lake
21 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Happy Wanderer249 acres
3.8 miles away
Greenwood Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella1,329 acres
4.8 miles away
Wampus Lake
8 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella139 acres
4.8 miles away
South McDougal Lake
44 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella287 acres
5.6 miles away
Middle McDougal Lake
47 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella104 acres
6.2 miles away
West Chub Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreLake · Isabella115 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake is in Lake County, Minnesota, near Isabella. It covers 486 acres and reaches 11 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake covers 486 acres with about 8.1 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 11 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Burbot, and Rock Bass. 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 US Forest Service. 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?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Sand Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
Are there special fishing regulations on Sand Lake?
Yes. Daily limit five.
Can you camp at Sand Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.