Grindstone Lake
About Grindstone Lake
Grindstone Lake is a 533-acre lake near Sandstone in Pine County, Minnesota. It reaches 153 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 60 feet, and has roughly 5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 10.7 feet, clearer than most lakes in the state.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 21 fish species here, including northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. 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 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 14, based on 23 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Grindstone Lake
- 533 acres, up to 153 feet deep, near Sandstone
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 10.7 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 533 acres
- Max depth
- 153 ft
- Average depth
- 60 ft
- Shoreline
- 5 mi
- Water clarity
- 10.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 71 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
- A trout and salmon stamp is required to fish designated trout lakes or to keep trout
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Northern Pike 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
- 21
- Game fish
- 12
- Stocked
- Yes
- 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 14
- Years of record
- 23
- Earliest
- March 19, 2024
- Latest
- May 9, 2018
- Most recent
- April 15, 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 Grindstone Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Bass Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson228 acres
3.1 miles away
Grass Lake
24 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Groningen125 acres
3.5 miles away
Eleven Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreKanabec · Kroschel315 acres
3.9 miles away
Upper Pine Lake
49 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson233 acres
4.6 miles away
Pine Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Finlayson378 acres
5.5 miles away
Fish Lake
9 out of 100 Lake ScorePine · Finlayson185 acres
6 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Grindstone Lake?
Grindstone Lake is in Pine County, Minnesota, near Sandstone. It covers 533 acres and reaches 153 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Grindstone Lake?
Grindstone Lake covers 533 acres with about 5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 153 feet and its average depth is about 60 feet.
What fish can you catch at Grindstone Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Grindstone Lake?
Yes. Grindstone Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Grindstone Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Grindstone 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 Grindstone Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Grindstone Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Grindstone Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 14, from 23 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 19, 2024 and the latest is May 9, 2018.