Sandy Lake
Sandy Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 10.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 72 ft. Surface area: 103.38 acres.
- Clarity
- 10.7 ft
- Typical in August
- 56°F
- Max depth
- 72 ft
- Area
- 103 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Next lake in Beltrami County
Sandy Lake is a 103-acre mesotrophic lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota with a maximum depth of 72 feet. Water quality is graded C based on 1 sampling years through 2025. The lake supports 10 documented fish species including bluegill, green sunfish, and hybrid sunfish. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 84 other monitored lakes in Beltrami County, Sandy Lake ranks #64 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2025-09-02. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
Good clarity, visible to about 10.7 ft. Phosphorus level: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.2 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 10.7 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | 32.5 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.2 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Sandy Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Sandy Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Sandy Lake
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Water Temperature
Sandy Lake typically sits around 56°F at the surface in August. Summer average is about 53°F. Usually warmest in Aug (about 56°F) and coldest in Jun (about 49°F). These are typical values by month — not a live reading.
Typical surface water temperature by month, from 68 field readings (2025–2025) via the EPA Water Quality Portal. See the full Sandy Lake water temperature breakdown →
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 72 ft |
| Surface Area | 103 acres |
| Shoreline Length | 1.8 mi |
| Littoral Zone | 11% |
| Public Access | Yes |
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS).
Recreation & Access
- Sandy LakePublic
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Sandy Lake
County Ranking
Ranked #64 of 85 lakes in Beltrami County
Nearby Lakes With Higher Grades
Sandy Lake holds Grade C. 3 nearby lakes hold higher nutrient-and-algae grades — useful for a swim day, not a reason to skip lodging here.
Nearby Lakes in Beltrami County
Frequently asked questions about Sandy Lake
What is the water quality grade for Sandy Lake?
- Sandy Lake in Beltrami County, Minnesota has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Water clarity: 10.7 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 32.5 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.2 µg/L. Maximum depth: 72 ft. Surface area: 103.38 acres.
Is Sandy Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Sandy Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 1.2 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
What is the water temperature of Sandy Lake?
- Sandy Lake typically sits around 56°F at the surface in August, from 68 EPA Water Quality Portal field readings (2025–2025). That is a typical value for the month, not a live reading.
How deep is Sandy Lake?
- Sandy Lake has a maximum depth of 72 feet. The lake covers 103.38 acres.
What fish are in Sandy Lake?
- Fish species found in Sandy Lake include bluegill, green sunfish, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, walleye, white sucker, yellow perch. Sandy Lake is located in Beltrami County, Minnesota.
Are there boat ramps on Sandy Lake?
- Sandy Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Sandy Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Sandy Lake across LakeGrade
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Moderate nutrients, good water quality
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Where this data comes from
14 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2025. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-02.
Collected and reported by
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Ambient Surface Water
MNPCA14 samples · 2025
Analytical methods
- Field measurement/observation, generic method
- Phosphorus by Colorimetry
- 10200 H ~ Chlorophyll a-b-c Determination
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Lake details from Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory