Big Sandy Lake, Minnesota, USA

Big Sandy Lake is located in Minnesota’s northeast Aitkin County, home to over one million acres of hardwood forest and 365 lakes. With the majority of the woodlands available to the public, Big Sandy Lake provides the perfect setting to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with family and friends. Part of the state’s Northeast tourism region, Big Sandy Lake is easily accessible from Duluth, 67 miles to the…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Big Sandy Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Big Sandy Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Big Sandy Lake, MN

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Minnesota - Northeast Minnesota -

    Big Sandy Lake is located in Minnesota’s northeast Aitkin County, home to over one million acres of hardwood forest and 365 lakes. With the majority of the woodlands available to the public, Big Sandy Lake provides the perfect setting to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with family and friends. Part of the state’s Northeast tourism region, Big Sandy Lake is easily accessible from Duluth, 67 miles to the east, and the Twin Cities, 175 miles to the south.

    The tranquil setting of Big Sandy Lake and the Big Sandy Watershed Area does not reflect its turbulent past. Claims to this land were held by Spain, France and England before becoming part of the United States. The Sioux people, who originally settled this area, were displaced by Ojibwe, who were forced from their eastern homeland. Big Sandy Lake derived its name from the Ojibwe word Mitaawangaagamaa which translates to “Lake with flat, sandy beaches.”

    As early as the 1600s, fur traders were exploring this region and trading with native people. During the 19th century, the American Fur Company established a post at Savanna Portage on Big Sandy Lake. Savanna Portage connected the Mississippi River waterways to Lake Superior and southern transport connections to St. Louis. As the fur trade declined, lumber industries grew, along with a large transport steamboat industry. Today, the natural beauty of Big Sandy Lake and surrounding woodlands has replaced its industrial base with a growing recreation and tourism business.

    In 1991, the Big Sandy Area Lakes Watershed Management Project was organized to protect and enhance area lakes, rivers and watershed. Multiple water-quality improvement projects were implemented, yet Big Sandy Lake’s water quality declined. Big Sandy Lake was placed on Minnesota’s list of impaired lakes in 2006. A pollution reduction plan, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), is being used to identify and reduce sources of excessive nutrients polluting the 6,623-acre lake.

    Four tributaries feed Big Sandy Lake: West Savanna River enters from the north, Prairie and Tamarack Rivers from the east. Sandy River enters Big Sandy Lake from the south and provides the outlet for the lake at Big Sandy dam near the lake’s northwestern corner. Three basins lie within Big Sandy Lake: Main lake, located at the northern shore, has an average depth of 19 feet; Webster Bay, at the southern shore has an average depth of 17 feet; Bill Horn Bay, along the eastern shore, has an average depth of 44 feet. From north-to-south, Big Sandy Lake extends 18 miles and contains 25 islands. The combined shoreline for both lake and islands is 64.3 miles.

    For many years, anglers have known that Big Sandy Lake has a reputation for excellent walleye fishing. Big Sandy Lake is currently being managed for walleye, northern pike and black crappie. The varying basin depths and diverse shoreline provide habitat for additional species including black and brown bullhead, bluegill, bowfin, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, shorthead redhorse, silver redhorse, white sucker, yellow bullhead and yellow perch.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the outlet dam to Big Sandy Lake and opens the surrounding Sandy Lake Recreational Area to public use. Located at the northwestern shore, attractions include a swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing platforms, and a museum. Campgrounds include “43 single-family electric sites, 8 walk-in tent sites, 2 group sites, and 5 double-occupancy sites.” Additional amenities include “dump stations, laundry facilities, showers, two boat ramps on the lake, one boat ramp on the river.”

    In addition to private and commercial campgrounds along Big Sandy Lake, Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources maintains public access at Savanna Portage State Park. Within the park, portions of the historic trail used by Native Americans, explorers and fur traders are open for hiking. The Continental Divide Trail runs through the park’s 15,818 acres, as do 50 miles of trails groomed for winter cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Summer facilities include a swimming beach, picnic shelters, playground and fishing pier.

    Birding and wildlife watching are popular activities at Big Sandy Lake. The shallow bays and bogs located along the south, east and northeast shores produce acres of wild rice that in the fall attract migratory waterfowl. Songbirds, loons, deer, bear, wolf, moose and coyote can be found among the waterways and hiking trails around Big Sandy Lake.

    With 48 additional lakes in the Big Sandy Watershed Area, fishing, hiking, canoeing and wildlife watching opportunities are only miles away. Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies 15 miles south of Big Sandy Lake. Designated as a “Globally Important Bird Area” by the American Birding Association, the refuge is also open to fishing, some hunting, hiking and wildlife photography. Drive an additional 15 miles to the southeast and you arrive at Mille Lacs Lake, home to the reservation of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

    With a combined population of approximately 500 people, the surrounding rural communities of McGregor and Tamarack offer shopping, restaurants, resorts and motel accommodations. Lakeside and woodland vacation rentals and real estate properties offer solitude. Choose to reside at Big Sandy Lake for a week or a lifetime. Feel stress roll away as you relax to the sound of songbirds. Rejuvenate your spirit as you paddle into the wilderness. Reconnect with all that is important at Big Sandy Lake.

    Things to Do at Big Sandy Lake

    These are some activities in the Big Sandy Lake, MN area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Wildlife Refuge
    • State Park
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Big Sandy Lake?

    Big Sandy Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Crappie
    • Bluegill
    • Bowfin
    • Brown Bullhead
    • Crappie
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Pumpkinseed
    • Redhorse
    • Sucker
    • Sunfish
    • Walleye
    • Yellow Bullhead
    • Yellow Perch
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Big Sandy Lake

    If you’re considering a Big Sandy Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Big Sandy Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Big Sandy Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Big Sandy Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: US Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 6,263 acres

    Shoreline Length: 64 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,217 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 1,208 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 1,225 feet

    Average Depth: 21 feet

    Maximum Depth: 84 feet

    Water Volume: 134,018 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1886

    Drainage Area: 406 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Big Sandy Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Wabana Lake

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    White Iron Lake

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Birch Lake, MN

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Big Sandy Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Big Sandy Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Big Sandy Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Big Sandy Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Big Sandy Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: