Sand Point Lake Fishing
St. Louis County, 8,527 acres, 184 feet deep.
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Sand Point Lake in numbers
In St. Louis County, Sand Point Lake spreads across 8,527 acres as a lake. It reaches 184 feet at its deepest point, with an average of 38.8 feet. Water shallower than 15 feet makes up 2,630 acres, or 31%. Census data put Orr nearest, around 26 miles away. The International Falls DNR fisheries crew handles surveys here. The lake lies on Canada-Minnesota border water.
Expect walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass, going by DNR survey records. Access is listed in LakeFinder as 1 access, without a mapped point. A standard survey on September 30, 2025 is the newest on file. At 11.07 walleye per gill net, the catch ran above the 3.6-10.8 normal range.
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Read each row against its normal range; data from the standard survey on September 30, 2025.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 166 | 11.07 | 3.6-10.8 | 0.94 | 0.8-1.3 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 58 | 3.87 | 1.1-2.4 | 3.27 | 2.8-4.3 |
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 13 | 0.87 | 1.4-6.8 | 0.13 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 13 | 0.87 | 0.2-0.8 | 0.29 | 0.2-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 7 | 0.47 | 0.31 | ||
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.1 | 0.55 | 1.4 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 6 | 0.4 | 0.2-0.6 | 1.14 | 0.7-1.2 |
| Cisco species | Standard gill nets | 105 | 7 | 0.79 | ||
| Lake whitefish | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.2 | 0.1-3.0 | 2.89 | 0.9-2.8 |
| Sauger | Standard gill nets | 18 | 1.2 | 2.1-4.3 | 0.31 | 0.3-0.5 |
| Pumpkinseed | Standard gill nets | 1 | 0.07 | 0.03 | ||
| Rock bass | Standard gill nets | 34 | 2.27 | 0.6-1.6 | 0.36 | 0.2-0.3 |
What the Sand Point Lake gill nets held
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR notes on Sand Point Lake
“Sand Point Lake is located within Voyageurs National Park, approximately 5 miles north of Crane Lake, Minnesota on the International border between Minnesota and Ontario.”
“Sand Point is a Class 2, mesotrophic lake with a total surface area of 8,526 acres, of which 4,848 acres (57%) are in Minnesota.”
“Its waters are soft, and aquatic vegetation is sparse, except in the shallow bays.”
“Sand Point Lake has a maximum depth of 184 feet, although almost one third (32%) of the lake is less than 15 feet deep.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Sand Point Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Trailering a boat to Sand Point Lake
The LakeFinder access table for Sand Point Lake reads public (other).
Landings neighboring Sand Point Lake
- Johnson Lake Access near OrrJohnson, 5 miles southwest
- Crane Lake (W) AccessCrane, 7 miles south
- Crane Lake (E) AccessCrane, 7 miles south
- Franklin Lake AccessFranklin, 7 miles southwest
- Crane Lake, Bayside AccessCrane, 7 miles south
- Vermilion River Co Rd 491 AccessVermilion River, 8 miles south
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
The Sand Point Lake basin
Secchi disk readings on Sand Point Lake number 3, the first in 2007.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Sand Point Lake fish list
The list for Sand Point 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 Sand Point Lake
These Sand Point Lake rules take precedence over statewide limits.
| Species | Regulation | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Border rows for Canada-Minnesota waters, including Sand Point Lake
| Species | Area | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 6 combined total (only 1 over 20" in possession) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Lake of the Woods and tributaries from mouth to upstream boundaries listed on p. 67 | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Four Mile Bay (southeast bay of Lake of the Woods) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Namakan, Sand Point and Little Vermilion lakes | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy Lake | 8 (not more than 4 can be walleye; walleye from 18-26" must be immediately released; only 1 walleye over 26") | May 10, 2025 – April 14, 2026; May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and all tributaries from the mouth to the upstream boundaries liste | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – April 14 each year |
| Walleye and sauger | Rainy River (mouth to the dam at International Falls and tributaries) | 6 (not more than 4 can be walleye; only 1 walleye over 28"; walleye 19.5-28" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Walleye and sauger | Saganaga Lake | 3 (only 1 walleye over 20") | May 9, 2026 – April 14, 2027 |
| Northern pike | All Canada-Minnesota border waters except exceptions below | 3 (only 1 over 30" in possession) | Continuous |
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 over 40" in possession, all from 30-40" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (Northeast Zone) | 2 (only 1 northern pike 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 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 8, 2026 |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 9, 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 Sand Point Lake: Northeast Zone.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Lakes near Sand Point Lake, side by side
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Point Lake | 8,527 | 184 | 0 | 11.07 | |
| Little Trout Lake near Orr, St. Louis County | 2 miles northwest | 272 | 95 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Mukooda Lake | 2 miles south | 774 | 78 | 0 | 1.2 |
| O'Leary Lake, St. Louis County | 3 miles northwest | 202 | 52 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Johnson Lake near Orr, St. Louis County | 5 miles west | 1,736 | 88 | 1 | 3.58 |
| Spring Lake near Orr, St. Louis County | 6 miles west | 219 | 60 | 0 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Near Sand Point Lake on the map
Lakes neighboring Sand Point Lake
- Little Trout Lake near Orr, St. Louis County2 miles northwest
- Mukooda Lake2 miles south
- O'Leary Lake, St. Louis County3 miles northwest
- Johnson Lake near Orr, St. Louis County5 miles west
- Spring Lake near Orr, St. Louis County6 miles west
Where to grab leeches near Sand Point Lake
- Handberg's Marinemarine supply store, Crane Lake, 7 miles
- Voyageur Tacklebait and tackle shop, St. Louis, 13 miles
- Cold Springs Incfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Orr, 21 miles
Lodging towns close to Sand Point Lake
- Orr26 miles
- Nett Lake32 miles
- Cook38 miles
Sand Point Lake county pages
- St. Louis Countyseat: Duluth
Piscifun tackle for a day on Sand Point Lake
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What Minnesota anglers ask about Sand Point Lake
Where in Minnesota is Sand Point Lake?
St. Louis County holds it, managed from the International Falls fisheries office, about 26 miles from Orr.
How many acres does LakeFinder list for Sand Point Lake?
About 8,527 acres, 184 feet at the deepest.
How many accesses does Sand Point Lake have?
LakeFinder notes 1 access but no mapped point.
Which fish has the DNR found in Sand Point 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 Sand Point Lake?
On September 30, 2025, a standard survey. walleye ran 11.07 per gill net.
What are the limits on Sand Point 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.
What does a license for Sand Point Lake cost?
On border water a Minnesota license ($25 resident, $51 nonresident) works under the shared rules; on Canadian water the Canadian portion needs a Canadian license.
When does the ice go out on Sand Point Lake?
About 7.9 feet of clarity on average.
Which shop is nearest Sand Point Lake?
Try Handberg's Marine, around 7 miles off.
Get out on Sand Point Lake this season
Buy the Minnesota license online before the drive north.