Minnesota · Cass County
Big Sand Lake Fishing guide
Big Sand Lake covers 731 acres in Cass County, Minnesota, reaching 23 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 10.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 9 times, most recently in 2021, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024Fair numbers1.8per gill net19"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2014Lengths measured · 29 fish
2020Lengths measured · 11 fish
2014Lengths measured · 28 fish
2010Lengths measured · 31 fish
2005BluegillJust a few15.7per trap net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 188 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 188 fish
2021Lengths measured · 73 fish
2020Lengths measured · 1361 fish
2014Lengths measured · 661 fish
2010CrappieJust a few1.1per trap net7"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 13 fish
Recent · 2021Lengths measured · 13 fish
2021Lengths measured · 74 fish
2020Lengths measured · 177 fish
2014Lengths measured · 95 fish
2010Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Big Sand Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 10.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. With 87% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 10.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. With 87% of this lake 15 ft or shallower, the weed edge is the main event.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Northern pike |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | 17" | 22" |
| 2020 | 26" | 19" | 32" |
| 2014 | 25" | 19" | 32" |
| 2010 | 27" | 19" | 34" |
| 2005 | 25" | 18" | 32" |
| 1997 | 25" | 20" | 35" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Soft plastics
Curly-Tail Grub on Jig
3" curly-tail grub threaded on a round jighead
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Flipping/Punching Creature Bait
4" beaver/creature-style bait
Northern pike · Hardbaits
Weedless Spoon + Trailer (Silver Minnow)
3/8–1/2 oz weedless spoon
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 17,717 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 14,959 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 12,257 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Walleye | 4,815 fingerlings · 290 yearlings |
| 2016 | Walleye | 64 fingerlings · 2,005 adults |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2021 survey
Big Sand Lake (DOW# 11-0077) is a 730-acre lake with 635 littoral acres, 8.42 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 23 feet located West of Remer, MN. There is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) owned public access on the East shore. The DNR has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different classes based on physical, chemical and other characteristics. Big Sand Lake is in lake class 35; lakes in this class typically have a high percentage of littoral area (water depths less than 15 feet deep), and an irregular shoreline. Other area lakes in lake class 35 include Big Bass, Hovde, and McKeown. The lake is primarily managed for Bluegill and Walleye. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch are a secondary management species.
Black Crappie are present although targeted sampling is required to establish long-range management goals. Black Crappie ranged in length from 4 to 9 inches. Bluegill catch rates exceeded abundance and size structure management goals and ranged in length from 3 to 9 inches. Other fish species sampled include Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead, and Yellow Perch.
Read the full DNR narrative
People can have significant impacts on lakes and the fish populations they support. Harvest, lakeshore development, removal of shoreline vegetation, and introductions of invasive species can all adversely affect fish populations. Currently, no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Big Sand Lake. AIS are moved from infested to non-infested waters by anglers, boaters, and lake shore owners and can adversely impact lakes and fish populations. To avoid spreading AIS, lake users are required to remove all aquatic plants or animals from their watercraft and drain all water from their boat before leaving the access. If you suspect an infestation of an invasive species in this lake, save a specimen and report it to a local natural resource office. Additional information on all of these topics can be found on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn.us) or by contacting the Walker Area Fisheries office.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Big Sand Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Big Sand Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Big Sand Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Big Sand Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Little Sand Lake · 413 ac · 1.8 mi
- Grave Lake · 373 ac · 4.2 mi
- Mabel Lake · 184 ac · 5.2 mi
- Lower Milton Lake · 79 ac · 5.7 mi
- Swift Lake · 357 ac · 5.8 mi
- Upper Trelipe Lake · 421 ac · 6.6 mi
- Lower Trelipe Lake · 618 ac · 6.8 mi
- Little Bass Lake · 136 ac · 7.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake reaches 23 ft at its deepest point; about 87% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake covers 731 acres with about 8.3 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Sand Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Sand Lake average 10.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2021) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big Sand Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Big Sand Lake have a public access?
Yes. Big Sand Lake has one public access site: Big Sand Lake (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Big Sand Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 25"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1997.
When was Big Sand Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Sand Lake in 2021, the most recent of 9 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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