Sand Lake
About Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a 779-acre lake near Virginia in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 6.9 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.7 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 9 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
No public water access is on record with the DNR, so getting on the water generally depends on a resort, private landing or permission from a shoreline owner. Ice typically goes out around April 22, based on 19 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sand Lake
- 779 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Virginia
- No public access on record — access is through resorts, private landings or shoreline owners
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and pumpkinseed
- Average water clarity around 6.7 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- No public access on record
- Launch fee
- —
Conditions
- Surface area
- 779 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Shoreline
- 6.9 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.7 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 770 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
No developed facilities on record. Plan to be self-sufficient.
- 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
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
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
- 19
- Earliest
- March 23, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 7, 2024
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.
Nearby Lakes
Auto Lake
54 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Virginia97 acres
2.1 miles away
Fourteen Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buhl386 acres
4.7 miles away
Clear Lake
25 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buhl139 acres
5.6 miles away
Leander Lake
30 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Idington252 acres
5.9 miles away
Dark Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buhl231 acres
6.9 miles away
Big Rice Lake
35 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Britt1,917 acres
7.4 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Virginia. It covers 779 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake covers 779 acres with about 6.9 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sand Lake?
No. The DNR lists no public water access on Sand Lake.
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 19 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 23, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.