Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys · latest June 21, 2022
Little Sand Lake FishingAWater-quality grade A
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sand Lake average 3.93 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 21, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–31 inches. In Hubbard County, Minnesota, Little Sand Lake carries an overall water-quality grade of A. Water clarity averages 20.0 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 Little Sand Lake
17 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 Little Sand 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 Little Sand 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 Little Sand Lake average 3.93 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 21, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–31 inches.
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sand Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. Catch rate is not a swim clearance and is not a weekly bite report.
DNR Fisheries Survey Summary
12 surveys on file from MN DNR Fisheries. Most recent: 2022-06-21 (Standard Survey).
Top Species by Catch Rate
| Species | Avg catch rate (CPUE) | Avg Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bluegill | 11.05 | 0.22 lb |
| Yellow Perch | 4.27 | 0.18 lb |
| Northern Pike | 3.93 | 1.81 lb |
| Walleye | 3.63 | 1.87 lb |
| Rock Bass | 3.25 | 0.38 lb |
| Yellow Bass | 2.88 | 0.59 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
Walleye
From the 2022-06-21 survey
Little Sand Lake is located two miles north of Dorset in south central Hubbard County. Little Sand has a surface area of 409 acres and a maximum depth of 80 feet. A DNR owned public access is located on the east shore of the lake off. Access is also available by small craft from Ida Lake. Little Sand provides angling…
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Little Sand Lake. 4 reports on file.
These links open on the official state DNR websites (Wisconsin DNR survey PDFs · Minnesota DNR LakeFinder).
- —Fisheries Lake Survey — Little SandFisheries Lake Survey · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Little Sand (1306)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Fish Stocking History — Little SandFish Stocking History · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — Little SandPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Common questions
What fish are in Little Sand Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys at Little Sand Lake average 3.93 northern pike per unit of sampling effort (CPUE) across 12 surveys. The most recent is a Standard Survey dated June 21, 2022. Length samples in the latest survey that recorded them ran 10–31 inches. Minnesota DNR lists 17 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 Little Sand Lake last surveyed?
The most recent fisheries survey on file for Little Sand Lake is dated June 21, 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 Little Sand Lake stocked?
Minnesota DNR publishes a stocking history for Little Sand 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 Little Sand Lake fishes?
A DNR fisheries survey reports fish abundance and catch rates, not a water-quality grade. LakeQuality grades Little Sand Lake A from EPA Water Quality Portal chemistry, and the water-quality trend over 6 years of monitoring is stable. 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 Little Sand Lake
Top-rated places to stay near Little Sand Lake
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