Big Sandy Lake Fishing
Aitkin County, 6,125 acres, 84 feet deep.
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Big Sandy Lake in numbers
In Aitkin County, Big Sandy Lake spreads across 6,125 acres as a lake. It reaches 84 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 21.4 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 3,183 acres, or 52%. Census data put Tamarack nearest, around 10 miles away. The Aitkin DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Public use comes through 4 public water accesses. A standard survey on July 11, 2022 is the newest on file. At 5.71 walleye per gill net, the catch ran within the 4.0-9.6 normal range. Ice usually leaves around April 20, the DNR median across 131 records.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on July 11, 2022.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 80 | 5.71 | 4.0-9.6 | 0.56 | 1.1-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.25 | 0.3-0.9 | 1.4 | 1.0-2.2 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 59 | 4.21 | 3.0-7.9 | 1.37 | 1.7-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 26 | 1.3 | 1.3 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 130 | 9.29 | 7.1-33.9 | 0.3 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 42 | 2.1 | 0.7-3.7 | 0.22 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 11 | 0.79 | 0.2-1.1 | 0.15 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 19 | 0.95 | 0.3-1.7 | 0.52 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.09 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 79 | 3.95 | 3.7-42.9 | 0.42 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Tullibee (cisco) | Standard gill nets | 102 | 7.29 | 0.5-5.2 | 0.82 | 0.4-1.0 |
| Channel catfish | Standard gill nets | 86 | 6.14 | 1.65 |
What the Big Sandy Lake gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Big Sandy Lake
“Big Sandy Lake is located about nine miles north of McGregor in northeastern Aitkin County.”
“It is a hard water Walleye lake with 57 miles of shoreline, and a surface area of 6,526 acres, of which 47 percent is less than 15 feet in depth.”
“The lake has dark brown water with low water clarity (average secchi depth about 4.5 feet during survey period).”
“The dark, coffee colored water is the result of tannins entering the lake through its two main inlets (Sandy and Prairie Rivers) that flow out of extensive wetland areas on their way to the lake.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Big Sandy Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Big Sandy Lake
- Big Sandy Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Big Sandy Lake (N) Access1 ramp, 8 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Big Sandy Lake (S Central) Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, Shamrock Township
- Sandy River, Hwy 65 Access1 ramp, 6 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings neighboring Big Sandy Lake
- Minnewawa Lake (W) AccessMinnewawa, 2 miles south
- Sandy River, Dam AccessMississippi River, 3 miles northwest
- Minnewawa Lake (E) AccessMinnewawa, 4 miles south
- Minnewawa Lake (SE) AccessMinnewawa, 4 miles south
- Round Lake Access near TamarackRound, 5 miles southeast
- Sandy River, Flowage AccessFlowage, 5 miles southwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Big Sandy Lake basin
Secchi disk readings on Big Sandy Lake number 140, the first in 2009.
Big Sandy Lake has lost its ice as soon as March 16, 2024 and as late as May 12, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Gauge readings for Big Sandy Lake
US Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District (CWMS), reading for Nov 7, 2026. Retrieved Nov 11, 2026 1:33 am ET. Not updated since Nov 7, 2026.
USACE St. Paul District series Big Sandy Lake Dam, Sandy Lake Dam pool; datum NGVD-29. Reading on file 1,215.98 ft on 2026-10-19.
Gauge readers send the DNR the Big Sandy Lake readings; the newest is shown with its date.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Big Sandy Lake fish list
The list for Big Sandy Lake follows the DNR LakeFinder record of fish caught in surveys over the last ten years or the latest survey.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Keeping walleye and panfish from Big Sandy Lake
These Big Sandy Lake rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sunfish | Daily limit five. | Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamb |
| Walleye | All less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession. | Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamb |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Zone rows for Big Sandy Lake: North-central Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Big Sandy Lake in the DNR record tables
| Species | Weight | Date | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Buffalo | 20 lb 0 oz | 2003-09-20 | certified weight |
Minnesota DNR state records; angler names left out. All records.
Lakes near Big Sandy Lake, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sandy Lake | 6,125 | 84 | 4 | 5.71 | |
| Brown Lake near Palisade, Aitkin County | 3 miles west | 68 | 28 | 0 | |
| Minnewawa Lake | 3 miles south | 2,351 | 21 | 3 | 2.4 |
| Glacier Lake | 4 miles northeast | 135 | 60 | 0 | |
| Aitkin Lake | 4 miles north | 659 | 35 | 0 | 0.83 |
| Horseshoe Lake near Tamarack, Aitkin County | 4 miles southeast | 240 | 12 | 0 | 2 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Big Sandy Lake on the map
Lakes neighboring Big Sandy Lake
- Brown Lake near Palisade, Aitkin County3 miles west
- Minnewawa Lake3 miles south
- Glacier Lake4 miles northeast
- Aitkin Lake4 miles north
- Horseshoe Lake near Tamarack, Aitkin County4 miles southeast
Where to grab leeches near Big Sandy Lake
- Willey's Sport Shopsporting goods store, Mcgregor, 5 miles
Lodging towns close to Big Sandy Lake
- Tamarack10 miles
- McGregor10 miles
- Palisade11 miles
Big Sandy Lake county pages
- Aitkin Countyseat: Aitkin
Piscifun tackle for a day on Big Sandy Lake
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Big Sandy Lake
Where in Minnesota is Big Sandy Lake?
Aitkin County holds it, managed from the Aitkin fisheries office, about 10 miles from Tamarack.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Big Sandy Lake?
About 6,125 acres, 84 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Big Sandy Lake have?
4 public accesses, including Big Sandy Lake (E) Access.
Which fish has the DNR found in Big Sandy Lake?
DNR surveys list walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How many walleye did the DNR net in Big Sandy Lake?
On July 11, 2022, a standard survey. walleye ran 5.71 per gill net.
What are the limits on Big Sandy Lake?
Sunfish: Daily limit five.; Walleye: All less than 14" or greater than 18" must be immediately released. One over 26" allowed in possession.
What does a license for Big Sandy Lake cost?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
When does the ice go out on Big Sandy Lake?
The DNR median is April 20, with the latest record April 21, 2026.
Which shop is nearest Big Sandy Lake?
Try Willey's Sport Shop, around 5 miles off.
Get out on Big Sandy Lake this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.