Sand Lake, Lake County, MI: Depth Map, Fishing & Water Quality

Where it is

14 miles east of Free Soil

Lake County, Michigan · 44.1638° N, 85.9409° W

One of 16 lakes named Sand Lake in Michigan. See them all

Show on Google Maps

The Michigan DNR lists no public access site on Sand Lake; much of the shore may be private.

Today on the lake

Updated 10 Oct 2026, 12:22 am EDT. Get alerts for Sand Lake

WEATHEROvernight: slight chance rain showers, 52°F, wind SE 5 to 9 mph. Saturday: mostly sunny, 77°F, wind SSE 10 mph.

WARNINGSNo weather or fire warnings in effect.

FIRENo wildfires or prescribed burns reported within 25 miles.

BURNINGCampfires and debris burning: check today's status with Michigan DNR.

ALGAEToo small for satellite monitoring (under 1 km²). No bloom reports on record with Michigan DHHS.

National Weather Service; National Interagency Fire Center; U.S. EPA CyAN satellite; Michigan DHHS; Michigan DNR. Weather, warnings, fires and satellite refresh when you open the page (checked at most hourly).

Depth map

10 contours, 5 to 50 ft

05101520253035404550feet

Michigan DNR survey, fetched 7 Oct 2026. Not for navigation.

Size and depth

54 acres · deepest 50 ft (measured) · shoreline about 1.2 mi · clarity about 20 ft

Sand Lake is the 13th largest of the 74 named lakes of 10 acres or more in Lake County. By Michigan DNR survey it is the deepest of the 31 with a measured depth. Its water is clearer than 65 of the other 66 lakes in the county with satellite clarity readings. Its shoreline measures about 1.2 miles along the state outline. About 51% of its area is deeper than 25 ft.

Ranks against Lake County lakes in Michigan hydrography, Michigan DNR lake surveys and Michigan EGLE satellite clarity; shoreline measured from the state outline. How we measure

Fishing

Michigan DNR has stocked Sand Lake 8 times since 1979. The most recent stocking was 3,000 rainbow trout on 15 April 1986. Species stocked: rainbow trout.

8 stockings, 1979 to 1986, log scale

Latest: 15 Apr 1986: 3,000 rainbow trout.

15 Apr 1986STOCKED3,000 rainbow trout

25 Apr 1985STOCKED3,000 rainbow trout

2 May 1984STOCKED2,400 rainbow trout

14 Apr 1983STOCKED3,000 rainbow trout

29 Apr 1982STOCKED2,800 rainbow trout

27 Apr 1981STOCKED2,500 rainbow trout

Source: Michigan DNR Fisheries, fetched 7 Oct 2026. How we measure

Where the deep water is

Show water deeper than

Measured from Michigan DNR contours. How we measure

Water quality

Average water clarity is about 20 ft (Secchi depth 6.0 m, satellite readings 2018–23).

Clarity 19.8 ft of 50 ft

Michigan EGLE satellite clarity, fetched 7 Oct 2026.

The area around Sand Lake

58 other lakes of 10+ acres within about 15 miles of Sand Lake. Sources: Michigan DNR, US Census Bureau.

Nearby lakes with measured depth

Cool Lake43 ft deep · 1.5 mi · Lake County

Elbow Lake30 ft deep · 2.9 mi · Lake County

Crystal Lake30 ft deep · 3.7 mi · Manistee County

Pine Lake50 ft deep · 3.8 mi · Manistee County

Timmerman Lake31 ft deep · 5.1 mi · Manistee County

Lake of the Woods30 ft deep · 5.2 mi · County

Michigan DNR survey; straight-line miles.

Common questions

How deep is Sand Lake?

Sand Lake is 50 feet at its deepest point, measured by Michigan DNR survey. It covers 54 acres.

Is Sand Lake stocked with fish?

Yes. Michigan DNR has stocked it 8 times since 1979, most recently 3,000 rainbow trout on 15 April 1986.

How much of Sand Lake is deeper than 10 feet?

About 100% of the lake's area is deeper than 10 feet, measured from Michigan DNR depth contours.