Sand Lake
About Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a 209-acre lake near Albany in Stearns County, Minnesota. It reaches 15 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 7 feet, and has roughly 2.7 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 3 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
The DNR has no fish survey on file for this lake, so treat any fishing as exploratory.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 3, based on 5 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Sand Lake
- 209 acres, up to 15 feet deep, near Albany
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Average water clarity around 3 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 209 acres
- Max depth
- 15 ft
- Average depth
- 7 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.7 mi
- Water clarity
- 3 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 209 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 (concrete)
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 3
- Years of record
- 5
- Earliest
- March 24, 2017
- Latest
- April 18, 2008
- Most recent
- March 27, 2021
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.
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Long Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake is in Stearns County, Minnesota, near Albany. It covers 209 acres and reaches 15 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake covers 209 acres with about 2.7 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 15 feet and its average depth is about 7 feet.
What fish can you catch at Sand Lake?
The DNR has no fish survey on file for Sand Lake.
Is there a public boat launch on Sand Lake?
Yes. Sand Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. 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.
When does the ice go out on Sand Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 3, from 5 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 24, 2017 and the latest is April 18, 2008.