Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest July 11, 2022
Coon-Sandwick Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Coon-Sandwick Lake average 6.10 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–31 inches. In Itasca County, Minnesota, Coon-Sandwick Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 10.7 feet of visibility, and there is one public boat landing. The survey figures on this page are Minnesota DNR's own; the water-quality grade comes from EPA Water Quality Portal samples. Neither is a forecast of today's bite.
Species recorded at Coon-Sandwick Lake
9 species on the Minnesota DNR list for this lake. A species on the list has been recorded here; it does not mean it is catchable today or in every part of the lake.
Stocking at Coon-Sandwick Lake
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for this lake — which species went in, how many, and in which years. Read the years: a lake stocked in one year is not necessarily stocked in the next.
Getting on the water
1 public boat landing is recorded on Coon-Sandwick Lake. Minnesota DNR lists the public access sites, including ramp type and parking, in the documents below.
Survey results in full
Minnesota DNR surveys at Coon-Sandwick Lake average 6.10 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–31 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Coon-Sandwick Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
8 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-07-11 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 14.45 | 0.19 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 7.13 | 0.13 lb |
| Northern Pike | 6.10 | 1.74 lb |
| Pumpkinseed | 5.01 | 0.13 lb |
| Largemouth Bass | 1.81 | 1.27 lb |
| Black Crappie | 1.78 | 0.32 lb |
CPUE = catch per unit effort, averaged across surveys (excludes juvenile shoreline seining). Higher CPUE means more abundant in standardized sampling. This is not a weekly bite report.
Length Distributions
Number of fish caught at each inch class in the most recent survey that recorded lengths. Red dashed line marks an approximate trophy threshold for that species.
Bluegill
Yellow Perch
Northern Pike
Pumpkinseed
From the 2022-07-11 survey
Coon-Sandwick Lake is a 627-acre lake located six miles southeast of Bigfork in north-central Itasca County. The lake is located entirely within Scenic State Park and there is no residential development on the lakeshore, other than the State Park campgrounds. Two boat accesses and a fishing pier are located within the…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Coon-Sandwick Lake. 3 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Coon-SandwickFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Coon-SandwickFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Coon-SandwickPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Coon-Sandwick Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Coon-Sandwick Lake average 6.10 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 8 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated July 11, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 11–31 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 9 species for the lake in total. Those are survey results, not a catch report: a net set on one date measures what was in that net.
When was Coon-Sandwick Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Coon-Sandwick Lake is dated July 11, 2022. Survey intervals vary by lake and by species; a gap of several years between surveys is normal and does not mean the record is missing.
Is Coon-Sandwick Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Coon-Sandwick Lake. It records which species were released, in what numbers and in which years — the source documents are linked further down this page. A lake can be stocked in some years and not others, so read the years rather than assuming an annual release.
Does the water-quality grade tell me how Coon-Sandwick Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Coon-Sandwick Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
Before you eat what you catch
A water-quality grade is not a consumption advisory. Mercury and PCB advice for Minnesota waters comes from MDH, and it is issued per species and per size class — a lake can grade well and still carry a meal limit on larger predator fish.
Where to stay near Coon-Sandwick Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Coon-Sandwick Lake
Planning a trip to Coon-Sandwick Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Coon-Sandwick Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.