Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Sandbar Lake

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 10 to 40 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 16 to 53 ft, and winter fish settle into 16 to 53 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 45 ft, rated prime for summer cisco (lake herring). Plan around early morning in the warm months. A vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic covers the summer program.

Walleye fishing at Sandbar Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 15 to 35 ft, and winter fish settle into 20 to 40 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 24 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Sandbar Lake

Spring yellow perch on Sandbar Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 6 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Sandbar Lake

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 6 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Sandbar Lake

Spring smallmouth bass on Sandbar Lake hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 20 to 45 ft. Main-lake point is the standout, a point at roughly 13 ft, rated prime for fall smallmouth bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

Burbot fishing at Sandbar Lake

Start shallow in spring: burbot sit in 16 to 53 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 16 to 53 ft, and winter fish hold in 13 to 53 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 45 ft of water that rates prime for burbot in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and midday. Tie on a heavy jig + cut bait and you're in the game.

How deep is Sandbar Lake?

Sandbar Lake is about 53 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Sandbar Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, burbot, cisco (lake herring) on Sandbar Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Sandbar Lake?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 45 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Sandbar Lake?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.