Sand Lake

Sand Lake near 46.4143, -92.7762 is a lake in Pine County, Minnesota. Sand Lake covers about 516 acres, reaches a recorded 40 feet and holds about 9,043 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Sand Lake Affect Fishing

Sand Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Sand Lake

Fish reported from Sand Lake include black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, fathead minnow, golden shiner, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.

Bass

For bass at Sand Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish

For panfish at Sand Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill and pumpkinseed, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.

Walleye

For roaming fish at Sand Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.

Muskellunge and Pike

For large predators at Sand Lake, throw a bucktail, jerkbait or large rubber lure along points and weed edges for muskellunge, and cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.

Bullheads

For bottom fishing at Sand Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.

Rock Bass

At Sand Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.

How the Seasons Change Sand Lake

Spring at Sand Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall at Sand Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.

A Simple Plan for Fishing Sand Lake

On a first trip to Sand Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.

Useful Tackle for Sand Lake

A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Sand Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for pike or muskellunge.

Sand Lake FAQs

Where should an angler start on the 516-acre Sand Lake?

At Sand Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.

Should anglers fish the 40-foot deep end of Sand Lake?

Not every trip. A better place at Sand Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.

What does the 9,043 acre-foot storage figure mean at Sand Lake?

At Sand Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.