Minnesota · Hubbard County
Big Sand Lake Fishing guide
Big Sand Lake covers 1,639 acres in Hubbard County, Minnesota, reaching 135 ft at its deepest point. Secchi readings average around 20.9 ft of visibility. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeExcellent numbers9.1per gill net20"Typical30"Biggest
Lengths measured · 574 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 574 fish
2023Lengths measured · 198 fish
2020Lengths measured · 710 fish
2017Lengths measured · 144 fish
2011Largemouth bassPresent7per trap net3"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 15 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 15 fish
2023Lengths measured · 22 fish
2020Lengths measured · 22 fish
2017Lengths measured · 53 fish
2011Smallmouth bassPresent1.3per gill net14"Typical20"Biggest
Lengths measured · 23 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 23 fish
2023Lengths measured · 28 fish
2020Lengths measured · 23 fish
2017Lengths measured · 34 fish
2011Northern pikeJust a few4.5per gill net22"Typical36"Biggest
Lengths measured · 68 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 68 fish
2023Lengths measured · 52 fish
2020Lengths measured · 46 fish
2017Lengths measured · 31 fish
2011Last recorded in the 1986 survey and not seen since.
Yellow perchExcellent numbers18.9per gill net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 645 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 645 fish
2023Lengths measured · 98 fish
2020Lengths measured · 37 fish
2017Lengths measured · 63 fish
2011Rock bassElite fishery27.4per gill net7"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 484 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 484 fish
2023Lengths measured · 378 fish
2020Lengths measured · 511 fish
2017Lengths measured · 554 fish
2011Rates 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 20.9 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. On a lake that drops to 135 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- 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 20.9 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. On a lake that drops to 135 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- 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 | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 30" | 17" | 20" |
| 2020 | 26" | 15" | 18" |
| 2017 | 28" | 17" | 18" |
| 2011 | 24" | 16" | 19" |
| 2006 | 26" | 15" | 18" |
| 2004 | 24" | 15" | 17" |
| 1998 | 27" | 18" | 16" |
| 1995 | 27" | 9" | 14" |
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 · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Ned Rig
2.75" finesse stickbait or craw-style Ned bait
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Big Sand Lake is located seven miles northeast of Park Rapids in central Hubbard County. Big Sand has a surface area of 1,635 acres and a maximum depth of 135 feet. A state owned public access is located on the south shore of the lake off Grouse Road, next to the outlet of the Sand River. Access with small boats is also available from the inlet connecting to Lake Emma and from the outlet connecting to Lake Ida. Big Sand provides angling opportunities for Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and panfish.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Big Sand Lake is in lake class 22. Class 22 lakes are generally very large, irregularly shaped lakes that are very deep, have clear and hard water. Other class 22 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Lower Bottle, Kabekona, Long, and Potato.
Read the full DNR narrative
The unique protected slot limit for Walleye on Big Sand Lake was removed in 2024 and reverted to the statewide regulation. Walleye abundance has been good in recent years. Walleyes from 7.4 to 27 inches were sampled, showing a few good year classes for anglers and smaller fish for the future. The average length was close to 17 inches.
Both Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass are found in Big Sand Lake. The average Largemouth Bass was 11 inches, while Smallmouth Bass averaged 14 inches. The largest Largemouth Bass was 17 inches, and the largest Smallmouth Bass was 20 inches.
Rock Bass are abundant and increasing size in recent years. The average Rock Bass was 7.6 inches, with fish sampled over 11 inches.
Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Big Sand. 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.
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
- Loon Lake · 82 ac · 0.8 mi
- Ida Lake · 75 ac · 1.3 mi
- Emma Lake · 78 ac · 1.5 mi
- Little Sand Lake · 410 ac · 1.6 mi
- Gilmore Lake · 93 ac · 1.6 mi
- Lower Bottle Lake · 641 ac · 2.2 mi
- Blue Lake · 336 ac · 2.3 mi
- Boulder Lake · 341 ac · 2.7 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake reaches 135 ft at its deepest point; about 28% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake covers 1,639 acres with about 8.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Big Sand Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Big Sand Lake average 20.9 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Big Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Big Sand Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Big Sand Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
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 30"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1995.
When was Big Sand Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Big Sand Lake in 2023, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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