Sand Point Lake
About Sand Point Lake
Sand Point Lake is an 8,527-acre lake near Crane Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 184 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 148 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.9 feet. The lake is a border water shared with Canada, so different seasons, limits and licensing rules can apply on the far side.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 19 fish species here, including walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie. Special fishing regulations apply to walleye and sauger, and they override the statewide limits. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
The DNR lists public water access for the lake; confirm the launch type before towing a trailer in. Partridge Point and Jensen Bay are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. The lake is listed as infested with spiny waterflea and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry your boat and gear before leaving. Ice typically goes out around April 19, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sand Point Lake
- 8,527 acres, up to 184 feet deep, near Crane Lake
- Public access on record — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, sauger, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and black crappie
- Special fishing regulations apply here and override the statewide limits
- Average water clarity around 7.9 feet
- Camping close to the water at Partridge Point and Jensen Bay
- Border water with Canada — know which side of the line you are fishing on
- Listed as infested with spiny waterflea and zebra mussel — clean, drain and dry before you leave
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Public access on record
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
Conditions
- Surface area
- 8,527 acres
- Max depth
- 184 ft
- Shoreline
- 148 mi
- Water clarity
- 7.9 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 2,847 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
- Border-water seasons and limits with Canada differ from Minnesota inland rules
Facilities
- Camping: Partridge Point, Jensen Bay, and King Pin
- Picnic area
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Big water: wind builds dangerous waves quickly, so check the forecast and carry safety gear
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 19
- Game fish
- 13
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- Yes
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Special regulations on this lake
- Walleye and Sauger: Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 19
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- March 27, 2012
- Latest
- May 14, 2014
- Most recent
- April 30, 2019
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Partridge Point, Jensen Bay, King Pin, and Browns Bay View are mapped on or near Sand Point 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 Point Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Little Trout Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake272 acres
2 miles away
Mukooda Lake
66 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake774 acres
2.5 miles away
O'Leary Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake202 acres
3.5 miles away
Johnson Lake
59 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,736 acres
4.8 miles away
Spring Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake219 acres
5.9 miles away
Crane Lake
68 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake2,921 acres
6.5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sand Point Lake?
Sand Point Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Crane Lake. It covers 8,527 acres and reaches 184 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sand Point Lake?
Sand Point Lake covers 8,527 acres with about 148 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 184 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sand Point Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Sauger, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Sand Point Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: public access on record.
Can you swim at Sand Point Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Sand Point 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 Point Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Sand Point Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Are there special fishing regulations on Sand Point Lake?
Yes. Combined possession limit six, only four may be walleye. All walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
When does the ice go out on Sand Point Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 19, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 27, 2012 and the latest is May 14, 2014.
Can you camp at Sand Point Lake?
Yes. Partridge Point, Jensen Bay, and King Pin are mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.
Does Sand Point Lake have invasive species?
Yes. The DNR lists Sand Point Lake as infested with spiny waterflea and zebra mussel. State law requires you to clean off plants, pull the drain plug and drain all water before leaving the access.