About Sand Lake
Sand Lake is a serious fishing destination in Chippewa County, known for both its musky and walleye populations, a intimate 15-acre lake reaching 13 feet at its deepest. Access is limited, which keeps boat traffic low — a plus for solitude seekers. The fishery includes Largemouth Bass, Musky, Northern Pike, Panfish, and Walleye.
Bottom composition: 80% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.17650° N, 91.34860° W
WBIC 1880000 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·Musky fishing is best in early morning and evening. Work weedlines and structural transitions with large bucktails or soft swimbaits.
- ·Wisconsin musky season typically opens the first Saturday in May. The fall bite (September–October) is peak for trophy fish.
- ·Walleye feed most actively at dawn and dusk. Jig along deep structural breaks or troll crankbaits along weedlines at 6–8 ft depth.
- ·Night fishing under a full moon can produce excellent walleye results from late June through August.
- ·Northern pike are ambush predators — target weed edges, fallen timber, and points with large spoons or swimbaits.
- ·Spring pike fishing (ice-out through June) can be outstanding as they move into shallow, warming bays to spawn.
- ·Largemouth bass relate to shallow structure. Work topwater lures at dawn in summer, then switch to soft plastics rigged weedless around lily pads and fallen wood.
- ·Bluegill and crappie stack up in 8–15 ft of water near weedlines. Small jigs tipped with a waxworm are hard to beat.
- ·Panfish are often excellent for kids and beginners — look for them around any dock or submerged brush piles.
Local's Guide
Fishing
Species-specific tips above. Wisconsin fishing license required for ages 16+. See current season regulations below.
View fishing regulations ↓Swimming
Sand Lake has limited visibility and a gravel and sand bottom, making it better suited for boating and fishing than swimming. The 15-acre lake offers a quieter, more intimate swimming experience.
Nearby Dining
Local dining recommendations for Sand Lake are coming soon. Know a great spot near Sand Lake? Share it at staynorthern.com/contact. Looking for restaurants near Chippewa County lakes? Visit staynorthern.com/eats for our full northwoods dining guide.
Insider Tips
Sand Lake is one of Chippewa County's lesser-known gems — the kind of place locals return to year after year. Early mornings before 9am offer the calmest water and best fishing before boat traffic picks up. If you're visiting for the first time, check the DNR boat landing locations before you arrive — some are well-marked, others take a local to find. Know something about Sand Lake that visitors should? Share a tip at staynorthern.com/contact — we add the best ones to this page.
Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Not documented
Clean lake
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice out typically arrives in mid-April on central Wisconsin lakes. Fishing season hits its stride in mid-May and runs strong through June and again in fall. Swimming conditions are best from late June through mid-August. Fall color peaks in early-to-mid October. Ice fishing season runs late December through February in most years.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Sand Lake?
Sand Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Common), Musky (Common), Northern Pike (Common), Panfish (Common), and Walleye (Common). Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Can you boat on Sand Lake?
Sand Lake does not currently have a public boat landing listed in the Wisconsin DNR database. Shore fishing or kayak/canoe access may still be available — check local access points.
How big is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake has 15 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 13 feet.
What is the bottom of Sand Lake like?
The lake bottom is composed of 80% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck. Sandy and gravel bottoms typically support good swimming and healthy fish habitat.
Are there invasive species in Sand Lake?
No invasive species are currently documented in Sand Lake by the Wisconsin DNR. Always clean, drain, and dry your boat before leaving to help protect this lake.
Where is Sand Lake located?
Sand Lake is located in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.1765° N, 91.3486° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Sand Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Chippewa County lakes. Check our Sand Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Chippewa County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Sand Lake
| Species | Season | Min. Length | Daily Bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Cisco And Whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. | — |
| Lake Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Muskellunge And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. | — |
| Northern Pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. | — |
| Paddlefish | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25. | — |
| Rock, Yellow, And White Bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Rough Fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. | — |
| Round Goby | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Ruffe | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
| Shovelnose Sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. | — |
| Trout | See specific regulations | https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/ . | — |
| Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. | — |
| White Perch | Open All Year | The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office. | — |
Regulations sourced from Wisconsin DNR fisheries data. Always verify current regulations before fishing.
Lake Details
- WBIC
- 1880000
- County
- Chippewa County
- Surface Area
- 15 acres
- Max Depth
- 13 ft
- Bottom
- 80% sand, 20% gravel, 0% rock, 0% muck
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.1765, -91.3486
Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
Listing soonKnow a local boat rental operator near Sand Lake? Let us know.
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 4/30/2026.