Sand Lake
depth
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Depth scale
Survey readout
Sand Lake has a reported maximum depth of 53 ft, and covers about 55 acres in Noble County, Indiana. The Indiana DNR survey maps contours down to 30 ft; the depth between 30 ft and 53 ft is interpolated rather than measured. Coverage is sparse: about 62% of this lake lies well away from any surveyed contour, so most of the shape shown there is interpolated between distant measurements rather than mapped. Depths come from the Indiana DNR survey of 2017.
Measured from the Indiana DNR lake bathymetry survey.
Depth below 30 ft is interpolated. The survey's own contours stop at 30 ft, while it reports a maximum of 53 ft. The basin between those two depths is inferred by the model, not measured — so the shape of the deep hole is an estimate, and the deep-spot marker shows the deepest depth actually surveyed.
- Deepest mapped contour
- 53 ft
- Survey year
- 2017
- Surface area
- 55 acres
- Shoreline
- 1.9 mi · irregular
- Aquatic vegetation
- 19% of surface · NDVI estimate
- Public access
- Boat Ramp · Sand-River Lakes · Indiana DNR site
Additional depth details1 contour
- Contour depths
- 0–53 ft
- Recorded point soundings
- 30 ft
Provenance
Sources: IN DNR Lake Bathymetry, USGS 3DEP, USDA NAIP (public domain), OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
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Map details & sources4 sources
All layers registered to one bounding box; positions in WGS 84.
Survey-derived depth contours drape over USGS 3DEP elevation, with a USDA NAIP aerial basemap and OpenStreetMap shoreline. Color shows surveyed depth; dark lines are the survey's own isobaths.
- Coordinates
- 41.33252, -85.38824
- IN DNR lake ID
- 155642885
- Vertical exaggeration
- 1.88×
- Basemap
- USDA NAIP · public domain
- Model size
- 2.0 MB
Paddling
Paddling Index methodology v1.0 · calculated 2026-09-21Sand Lake has a heavily wooded and largely undeveloped setting, well sheltered geometry, little nearby major-road exposure. Watercraft controls: Electric motors only.
Why this score?5 components
Included in the index
| Component | Rating | Points of weight | Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural setting | Excellent | 26.0 of 30 | 88% natural land cover within 150 m of shore (72% forest, 17% wetland; 8% developed) |
| Geometric wind exposure | Excellent | 23.7 of 25 | mean fetch 510 m · 48% of sampled water within 500 m of shelter · short fetch in most directions |
| Watercraft controls | Electric motors only | 14.2 of 15 | Electric motors only |
| Public access | Good | 12.8 of 15 | 1 DNR fishing access site · boat ramp · fishing pier |
| Road isolation | Excellent | 15.0 of 15 | relatively isolated from major roads · 0 INDOT-classified segments within 1.2 km |
Additional paddling considerations
These describe the lake but are not part of the v1 Paddling Index and do not change the number above.
- Wake sensitivity
- Low — wide enough that wakes disperse over most of the lake
- Aquatic vegetation
- Moderate — approximately 19% mapped coverage · NAIP aerial imagery (NDVI)
- Observed motorized activity
- Unknown — No lake-level measurement of boat traffic is available. Legal permission to operate motors is not evidence of use.
- Wildlife habitat potential
- High — 72% forest and 17% wetland cover within 150 m of shore
Compare Indiana lakes by Paddling Index →
Fish you might catch
from DNR surveys11 species with recent evidence in this lake — sized relative to each other. Illustrations are AI-generated representative adults in everyday colors, not photographs (provenance).
Rainbow Trout
SuckerWhite Sucker
About these fish → the Fish of Indiana guide
Fishing rules for this lake Beta
Size and daily limits for the 11 species found here — 10 open to harvest.
These are hook-and-line size and daily limit rules. The fishing code sets no closed season for these species on inland lakes, but posted property rules can close a water — see the notes. Gear, spearing and bow fishing, netting and bait collection are set by other sections of 312 IAC 9 and are not shown here.
From 312 IAC 9-7 (Sport fishing), Indiana Administrative Code (readopted 2025-03-25), and the 2026-2027 Indiana Fishing Regulations Guide · verified 2026-09-15. Regulations can change — the Indiana Administrative Code (312 IAC 9-7) is the controlling source; verify current regulations before fishing. Official regulations
Fishery
surveyed 2017Gamefish Largemouth Bass 26 · Bowfin 6 · Rainbow Trout 1
Panfish Bluegill 187 · Redear Sunfish 50 · Warmouth 6
All survey species11 species
Gamefish
Panfish
Bullhead & catfish
Forage & nongame
Non-native species records
1 recordPlants & algae
How to identify invasive species in Indiana lakes →
What does non-native mean?
USGS records identify non-native species that have been documented for this lake or its shoreline. Non-native does not necessarily mean invasive, and historical records do not confirm current presence.
Source: Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership Conservation Planner; underlying nonindigenous species records from the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.
Sand Lake — common questions
How deep is Sand Lake?
The Indiana DNR reports a maximum depth of 53 ft for Sand Lake. The survey's own contours reach 30 ft, so the depth below that is interpolated from the reported maximum rather than mapped.
How big is Sand Lake?
Sand Lake covers about 55 acres in Noble County, Indiana.
What fish are in Sand Lake?
Species with survey, catch or recent-stocking evidence include largemouth bass, rainbow trout, bluegill, bowfin, brown bullhead, redear sunfish. The page lists all 11 species and the evidence behind each.
Is there public access to Sand Lake?
Yes. The Indiana DNR lists a public access site on Sand Lake: a boat ramp with a fishing pier, a boat dock and restrooms. The DNR notes that an entry fee and a lake permit are required. DNR directions: "Chain O' Lakes State Park, Albion."
Is the depth of Sand Lake measured or estimated?
The survey contours reach 30 ft while the survey reports a maximum of 53 ft, so the basin between those depths is inferred by the model rather than measured.
