Big Sand Lake

View of Big Sand Lake, the 1427 acre lake in Eagle River, Wisconsin

Big Sand Lake is a 1,427-acre lake near Phelps with over 10 feet of water clarity and an average depth of about 16 feet. It connects to Long Lake, expanding the available water for boating and fishing.

With roughly 16 owners per mile of shoreline, development remains moderate for a lake of this size. Its location slightly farther north filters out some casual traffic, giving it a quieter feel than many high-profile resort lakes.

Buyers who choose Big Sand often want strong fishing, expansive views, and room to roam, accepting a bit more drive time in exchange for space and privacy.

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Big Sand Lake Specs:

Clarity:
Avg. Depth: 16 Feet
Size: 1427 Acres
Max Depth: 65 Feet
Shoreline: 8.50 Miles
Water Source:
Lake Access: Public
Water Color: Blue Green
Trophic State: Mesotrophic
Time to Town: 33 Minutes
Acres Per Owner: 10.42
Owners Per Mile: 16.12

Homes for Sale:

No Current Listings
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Lots for Sale:

No Current Listings
Fishing:
Fish Species:
Bottom:
Boat Traffic: Average
Noise Level:
High Speed: No
Natural Gas: Yes
Lake Roads:
Cell Coverage: Spotty
Home Density:
Boat Launch: Yes (1)
Lake Grade: Excellent
Rentals on Lake: Yes
Township: Phelps
School District: Phelps
Tax Rate: $6.54 / $1000
** Link opens in new window:
Big Sand Lake contour map
Paddling Routes:
No nearby trails but Big Sand is a nice lake to paddle.
Snowmobile Trails:
The Phelps Snowmobile Club trails can be accessed to the north of the lake. They maintain over 40 miles of trails from Lac Vieux Desert to North Twin Lake.
ATV Trails:
The Landover ATV Club Trails run just to the south of the lake. It is a vast network of ATV trails that connect Eagle River to Upper Michigan. There are a variety of riding options ranging from paved roads to trails through the national forests. By far the largest ATV trail network in Vilas County.
Nearby State Areas:
Land O'Lakes:
25 mins
Grocery Store
 --
Eagle River:
30 mins
Grocery Store
Hospital

This is a summary based on available information.

Fishing reports describe Big Sand Lake as a solid multi‑species fishery with opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, panfish, northern pike, and occasional muskies, helped by its depth and overall water quality. Deeper basins with defined structure—points, humps, and breaks—tend to shine for gamefish, while weedy bays and shoreline transitions hold panfish and shallow‑oriented predators. Clear water often calls for more natural presentations and a focus on early/late or windy periods, when walleyes and smallmouths move higher in the water column and closer to structure tops. Cabin owners commonly treat the lake as both a home water and a “destination within a destination,” planning longer outings that combine exploring new structure with simple trolling or drifting passes along proven edges.

I had AI give me the coordinates for the launches I had on file. They are not super accurate, but should give a rough idea of where you can find the landings. If no coordinates were available at all I didn't link to the map.

Big Sand Lake public landing (southwest access)
View on Map
Public landing on the southwest side of Big Sand Lake near Phelps, giving access to its deep, clear water and strong fishery. Hard-surface ramp sized for typical trailered boats; parking area is moderate, with more pressure during peak summer and holiday periods.

How big is Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake is 1427 acres with 8.50 miles of shoreline.

How deep is Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake has an average depth of 16 feet and a maximum depth of 65 feet.

Does Big Sand Lake have a boat launch?

Yes, Big Sand Lake has a public boat launch.

How far is Big Sand Lake from Eagle River?

Big Sand Lake is 33 minutes from Eagle River, Wisconsin.

What fish are in Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake contains a Variety of fish species including Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye.

What is the water clarity of Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake has a water clarity of 10.5 feet.

How long is the shoreline on Big Sand Lake?

The shoreline of Big Sand Lake is about 8.50 miles.

What type of lake is Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake is a Drainage lake.

What is the trophic status of Big Sand Lake?

Big Sand Lake is a Mesotrophic lake.

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