Big Sand Lake
Burnett County, Wisconsin
About Big Sand Lake
Big Sand Lake earns its reputation as one of Burnett County's premier walleye fisheries, covering 1,434 acres with a maximum depth of 55 feet. The lake has public boat landing access, making it easy to launch for a day on the water. Anglers target Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Note that invasive species (Chinese Mystery Snail, Purple Loosestrife) have been documented here — clean your boat before leaving.
Type: lake · Hydrology: SEEPAGE
Lake Location
45.82460° N, 92.21950° W
WBIC 2676800 · Wisconsin DNRFish Species
Full table →Fishing Tips
- ·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
Big Sand Lake offers swimming access with a maximum depth of 55 feet. Check current conditions locally before swimming — water clarity and bottom composition vary by season.
Nearby Dining
Dining recommendations coming soon
Insider Tips
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Lake Conditions
Water Clarity
—
No data
Trophic Status
—
No data
Invasive Weeds
Present
Chinese Mystery Snail, Purple Loosestrife
Seasonal Notes
See below
Ice-out dates, peak fishing windows
Ice typically goes out on Big Sand Lake in early to mid-April. Water temperatures warm quickly through May, and the lake is usually in prime condition for fishing by the Wisconsin walleye opener (first Saturday in May). On Big Sand Lake: walleye fishing peaks from the May opener through June and again in October; northern pike are active through summer with a strong second run in fall; bass fishing is at its best from late June through August; panfish (bluegill, crappie, perch) bite reliably through the full open-water season. Summer (July–August) brings peak cabin season. Expect the most boat traffic on weekends — early morning hours offer the best combination of calm water and active fish. Fall color typically peaks in Burnett County in the first two weeks of October. The lake is beautiful and far less crowded than summer — one of the best times to visit for shoulder-season guests. Ice fishing on Big Sand Lake typically begins in late December and runs through early March. walleye, northern pike, panfish are the primary targets through the ice.
Condition data sourced from Wisconsin DNR surveys. Real-time weed and clarity reports coming soon.
Invasive Species Present
Chinese Mystery Snail and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Big Sand Lake. Clean, drain, and dry all watercraft and equipment before leaving.
Report sightings to the Wisconsin DNR invasive species hotline.Frequently Asked Questions
What fish can you catch in Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake is home to Largemouth Bass (Abundant), Northern Pike (Abundant), Panfish, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. Wisconsin fishing regulations apply — check current seasons and size limits before heading out.
Is there a public boat launch on Big Sand Lake?
Yes — Big Sand Lake has a public boat landing providing watercraft access. Check for posted local ordinances at the landing before launching.
How big is Big Sand Lake?
Big Sand Lake has 1,434 acres in surface area, a maximum depth of 55 feet, a mean depth of 9 feet.
Are there invasive species in Big Sand Lake?
Yes — Chinese Mystery Snail and Purple Loosestrife have been documented in Big Sand Lake. Please clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and all equipment before leaving any Wisconsin water body to prevent the spread of invasive species.
Where is Big Sand Lake located?
Big Sand Lake is located in Burnett County, Wisconsin. GPS coordinates: 45.8246° N, 92.2195° W.
Are there vacation rentals on Big Sand Lake?
Stay Northern is building the most complete rental directory for Burnett County lakes. Check our Big Sand Lake vacation rentals listing — if none are available yet, check back soon or browse nearby Burnett County lake rentals.
Fishing Regulations
Current season regulations for Big 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 is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. 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
- 2676800
- County
- Burnett County
- Surface Area
- 1,434 acres
- Max Depth
- 55 ft
- Mean Depth
- 9 ft
- Lake Type
- lake
- Coordinates
- 45.8246, -92.2195
Nearby Trails
Burnett County ATV/UTV Trails
63 mi · Burnett County
Burnett County Snowmobile Trails
300 mi · Burnett County
Travel Guides
Burnett County Lakes: The Complete Guide
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Webster, Wisconsin: Your Guide to Burnett County's Hidden Gem
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Boat Rentals Nearby
Pontoon
Listing soonFishing Boat + Motor
Listing soonKayak / Canoe
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Boat Landings (1)
Public Boat Landing
Lake data sourced from the Wisconsin DNR. Last updated 3/24/2026.