Big Sand Lake Fishing: Depth Map, Best Times & Rules

Today on Big Sand

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Best fishing times

All fish

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Best today…

Times by species available in Premium

Wind & weather

National Weather Service

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What Big Sand is best for

DNR data

WalleyeCommon · stocked

8.4

BluegillPanfish, abundant

8.3

PerchPanfish, abundant

8.3

CrappiePanfish, abundant

8.3

MuskyCommon · stocked

7.8

SmallmouthCommon

6.8

LargemouthPresent

4.3

Northern pikePresent

4.3

How we rate

Start from how common the DNR says the fish is (abundant 7.5, common 6, present 3.5). Add 1 if the DNR stocked it in the last 5 years, 0.6 for walleye in two-story or complex lakes, and up to 0.9 for lake size. The DNR counts bluegill, perch and crappie together as panfish, so they share a score.

Depth map

Traced from DNR survey

Tap a map to zoom. Pinch or scroll to zoom in, drag to move. Switch to the DNR map to see everything the surveyors marked.

✕ Deepest spot, 56 ftDNR survey map (PDF)

Not for navigation. Old survey; depths and weed lines change.

Rules on this lake

DNR · checked 2026-10-07

Walleye	15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027	Open
Musky	50" min · 1 a dayMay 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water	Open
Northern pike	No size limit · 5 a dayMay 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027	Open
Bass	14" min · 5 a dayJune 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027	Open
Panfish	No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25, 25 panfish of any size may be kept, except 5 or fewer can be bluegill and pumpkinseed over 7 inchesOpen All Year	Open
Sturgeon	No fishing	Closed

LicenseWisconsin fishing license. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here. How to buy one →

Full rules from the DNR

Launches & access

1 public

Boat LaunchDirections

Bottomsand 60% · gravel 15% · rock 15% · muck 10%

WaterEutrophic, low clarity

Parks2

Lake groupBig Sand Lake Property Owners Association Poh-Wah-Gom Landowners Association

Stocking

DNR records

2023	3,499 walleye large fingerling, 7" 143 muskellunge large fingerling, 11"
2021	143 muskellunge large fingerling, 12.3"
2019	7,000 walleye large fingerling, 7" 157 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.2"
2017	2,750 walleye large fingerling, 7" 90 muskellunge large fingerling, 10.8"
2015	356 muskellunge large fingerling, 11.8"

The DNR has 12 fish surveys on file for this lake.

Before you go

DNR

How often it's safe to eat

This is health advice about eating fish, from the DNR. It is not how many you can catch or keep. Catch limits are in Rules.

Eat any amount Bluegill and Sunfish, Bullheads, Crappies, Inland Trout, Yellow Perch

Up to 1 meal a week Bass, Catfish, Pike, Walleye, All Other Species and Sizes

Up to 1 meal a month Muskies

Statewide advice; no lake-specific advisory. Stricter for women who may get pregnant and children under 15. DNR details

Invasive species here

Chinese Mystery Snail · Curly-Leaf Pondweed · Eurasian Water-Milfoil · Purple Loosestrife

Drain all water, remove plants and animals, and never move live fish or bait to another lake.

Reviews

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Near Big Sand

Local deals

Local bait shops, resorts and supper clubs can put a coupon here and on the printed sheet, free for a year. Add your business

Big Sand board

Catches & reports

Lakes near Big Sand

Within 25 miles

Lake	Miles	Acres	Max depth
Long LakeVilas	1.9	872	95 ft
Spectacle LakeVilas	4.5	171	35 ft
Sugar Maple LakeVilas	5.3	137	46 ft
Kentuck LakeForest	5.5	957	40 ft
Imogene LakeVilas	5.8	66	41 ft
Manuel LakeVilas	6.4	76	9 ft
North Twin LakeVilas	7.2	2,788	60 ft
Lac Vieux DesertVilas	8.1	2,853	38 ft

Big Sand questions

How deep is Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake is 56 feet at its deepest, and 16 feet deep on average. It covers 1,427 acres.

What fish are in Big Sand Lake?

The Wisconsin DNR lists panfish (abundant), musky (common), smallmouth bass (common), walleye (common), largemouth bass (present) and northern pike (present).

Where is the boat launch on Big Sand Lake?

There is 1 public launch: Boat Launch.

Do I need a trout stamp to fish Big Sand Lake?

A Wisconsin fishing license covers this lake. No trout or Great Lakes stamp needed here.

What is the walleye limit on Big Sand Lake?

15" min · keep none 20–24" · 1 over 24" · 3 a day. Season: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027.

Is Big Sand Lake stocked?

Yes. In 2023 the DNR and partners stocked 3,499 walleye (large fingerling) and 143 muskellunge (large fingerling).

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Sources: Wisconsin DNR (lake facts, species, rules, stocking, consumption advice, survey map), National Weather Service (forecast). Sun and moon computed for the lake's location. Best times are a model of light and moon, not a promise. Checked 2026-10-08.

Big Sand Lake