Size
2,720ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Nelson Lake
Largemouth bass
Walleye
Northern pike
Perch
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Bluegill
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Overview
Outstanding bluegill and walleye action. Weeds, bogs, cribs and river channels offer countless angling opportunities including crappie and northern pike.
Nelson Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
Special Species Regulations
- Bluegill: See Panfish
- Bowfin: See Rough Fish
- Bullheads: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Catfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Channel catfish: See Catfish
- Cisco and whitefish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Crappies: See Panfish
- Flathead catfish: See Catfish
- Hybrid, Striped, Yellow, and White Bass: See Rock, Yellow and White Bass
- Lake sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
- Largemouth bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5
- Longnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Muskellunge and hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Northern pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 32” and the daily bag limit is 1
- Paddlefish: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10
- Rock, Yellow, and White Bass: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Rough fish: Open all year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited
- Round goby: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Ruffe: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
- Sauger and hybrids: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Shortnose gar: See Rough Fish
- Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed. No fishing allowed.
- Smallmouth bass: May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026: Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only)
- Trout and salmon: See Trout regulations layer
- Urban waters gamefish: This waterbody is not considered an urban water, Urban Waters Gamefish regulations do not apply
- Walleye: See Walleye, Sauger, and Hybrids
- Walleye, Saugers, and Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 18” and the daily bag limit is 3
- White perch: Open all year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office
Features
Nelson Lake was created in 1937 with the damming of the Totogatic River. This well-known lake and the surrounding area offer a variety of accommodations for anglers.
Many areas f the lake contain stumps and submerged wood that can hinder navigation. The north end of the lake near the inlet can be especially dangerous.
The lake association has marked many of the shallow rock reefs with buoys and placed a number of navigational beacons around the lake to aid navigation. Several of the smaller bays are posted as no-wake areas.
Forward motor tolling is permitted on Nelson Lake.
Forage
Logperch, sucker, golden shiner, crayfish and common shiner provide the primary forage. Walleye prey extensively on young-of-the-year crappie and bluegill. Panfish and gamefish also utilize mayfly larvae.
Seasonal Movements
There is a significant movement of spawning walleye up the Totogatic River in early spring. Walleye also spawn on the rock and riprap near the dam and along some shoreline stretches.
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Top Fish Species
Largemouth bass
7-18 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
2020
Sep
2021
Sep
