Big Sandy Lake

Big Sandy Lake

Size
6,331ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Big Sandy Lake
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Northern pike
Northern pike
Crappie
Crappie
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge

Overview

Big Sandy Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

Location: Including connected waters: Aitkin Lake including area known as Aitkin Flowage, Davis Lake including bay known as Steamboat Lake, Flowage Lake, Sandy River Lake, Prairie River from confluence with Tamarack River downstream to confluence with Big Sandy Lake, Sandy River from State Highway 210 downstream to confluence with the Mississippi River, and West Savanna River from County Highway 14 downstream to confluence with the Prairie River.

  • Sunfish: Daily limit five.
  • Walleye: All less than 14” or greater than 18” must be immediately released. One over 26” allowed in possession.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.95
0Statewide Range74.0278

Big Sandy Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202210
20219
201810
201610
Channel catfish
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
5.3333
0Statewide Range12.3499

Big Sandy Lake Channel catfish abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Crappie
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.2
0Statewide Range12.6668

Big Sandy Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Largemouth bass
fish
8-19 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2016
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2016
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
Muskellunge
fish
37-38 in
Length Range
38 in
Length Range
2013
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2013
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2013
Jul
Northern pike
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.7333
0Statewide Range19.75

Big Sandy Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Perch
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.3333
0Statewide Range43.5833

Big Sandy Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201814
201612
Pumpkinseed
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.9
0Statewide Range8.4166

Big Sandy Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Rock bass
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.4
0Statewide Range6.5668

Big Sandy Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Smallmouth bass
fish
12-16 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2021
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.0667
0Statewide Range3.4167

Big Sandy Lake Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
Jul
2021
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202020
201819
Walleye
fish
11-28 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.1333
0Statewide Range16.9168

Big Sandy Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Jul
2022
Jul
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202228
201628