Minnesota · DNR survey data
Nels Lake
Nels Lake covers 182 acres in St. Louis County, running to 30 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2023. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeStocked · 2024Fair numbers2.7per gill net10"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2023Lengths measured · 12 fish
2020Lengths measured · 22 fish
2016Lengths measured · 15 fish
2006Northern pikeFair numbers6.5per gill net19"Typical23"Biggest
Lengths measured · 39 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 39 fish
2023Lengths measured · 3 fish
2020Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 21 fish
2016Lengths measured · 22 fish
2006Yellow perchGood numbers4.7per gill net6"Typical8"Biggest
Lengths measured · 28 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 28 fish
2023Lengths measured · 33 fish
2020Lengths measured · 16 fish
2016Lengths measured · 63 fish
2006Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Walleye | 44,000 fry |
| 2022 | Walleye | 44,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 44,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 44,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 99,000 fry |
Recent reports
Nels Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Nels Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Nels Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Regenbogen Lake · 11 ac · 1.1 mi
- South Hegman Lake · 118 ac · 1.2 mi
- North Hegman Lake · 70 ac · 1.7 mi
- Erickson Lake · 97 ac · 1.7 mi
- Picket Lake · 68 ac · 2.3 mi
- Sletten Lake · 25 ac · 2.3 mi
- Grassy Lake · 257 ac · 2.4 mi
- Fenske Lake · 108 ac · 2.4 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Nels Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Nels Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Nels Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Does Nels Lake have a public access?
Yes. Nels Lake has one public access site: Nels Lake (trailer launch).
Is Nels Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2024; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2017.
When was Nels Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Nels Lake in 2023, the most recent of 10 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .