Little Sand Lake

How big is Little Sand Lake?

How deep is Little Sand Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Little Sand Lake?

What are the closest cities to Little Sand Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Little Sand Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Little Sand Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Little Sand Lake

Are there boat launches on Little Sand Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Little Sand Lake?

Little Sand Lake is located in southern Hubbard County, 2 miles north of Dorset. Little Sand has a surface area of 409 acres and a maximum depth of 80 feet. A public access is located on the south shore of the lake. Boating access with a small craft is also available from the inlet channel connecting to Ida Lake. Little Sand provides multi species opportunities to the angler, with good populations of walleye, northern pike, panfish, and bass.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has classified Minnesota's lakes into 43 different types based on physical, chemical, and other characteristics. Little Sand is in lake class 25. Class 25 lakes are generally deep, clear, hard water lakes, with irregularly shaped shoreline. Other class 25 lakes in the Park Rapids area include: Bad Axe, Belle Taine, Eagle, West Crooked, Third Crow Wing, Island, Big Mantrap, Little Mantrap, Ojibway, Straight, and Two Inlets.

Walleye abundance was up from previous surveys and within the range for similar type lakes, but short of management goals. Multiple year classes of walleye were sampled with good numbers of walleye in the 16 to 18 inch range. Little Sand is currently stocked with walleye fingerlings during even numbered years. Present and past surveys have shown low and sporadic contribution from walleye natural reproduction. Yellow perch, an important forage species for walleye were sampled in low to moderate numbers for this lake class. Yellow perch were small in size, with few perch of an acceptable size for angling. Tullibee (cisco) are present in Little Sand and have been sampled in low numbers in past surveys.

Anglers can expect to find an abundant population of small, "hammer handle" northern pike in Little Sand. Sampled northern pike had an average length and weight of 20 inches and 1.8 pounds, with pike measured up to 31 inches. Northern pike abundance was low in historical surveys, and then started to explode in the late 1990's. Silver pike (a genetic color phase of northern pike) are present in low numbers in Little Sand.

While not known as a panfish lake, Little Sand does provide angling opportunities for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. Anglers can expect to find low to moderate numbers of black crappie with fish in the 9-10 inch size range. Bluegill abundance was within the range for similar type lakes. Anglers will find good numbers of bluegill in the 6-8 inch size range.
Little Sand has both a largemouth bass and smallmouth bass population with good numbers and sizes for both species. Little Sand has good water quality, bottom substrate, and aquatic vegetation that will help insure a healthy largemouth and smallmouth bass population.

Other species sampled in moderate numbers included rock bass, yellow bullhead, and white sucker.

Currently no aquatic invasive species (AIS) have been identified in Little 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.

What is the average air temp for Little Sand Lake?

Are there any state parks near Little Sand Lake?