Minnesota · DNR survey data
Nelson Lake
Nelson Lake covers 293 acres in Pope County, running to 15 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
Largemouth bassStocked · 2023Just a few10per hr (electrofishing)7"Typical16"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent surveysLengths measured · 17 fish
2018Lengths measured · 84 fish
2010Lengths measured · 25 fish
2004Northern pikeOne of the best around15.8per gill net20"Typical25"Biggest
Lengths measured · 71 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 2 fish
2023Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 69 fish
2018Lengths measured · 38 fish
2010Lengths measured · 18 fish
2004BluegillStocked · 2023Fair numbers30.1per trap net6"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 335 fish
Recent surveysLengths measured · 335 fish
2018Lengths measured · 271 fish
2010Lengths measured · 19 fish
2004CrappieStocked · 2023Just a few0.9per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 16 fish
Recent surveysLengths measured · 16 fish
2018Lengths measured · 8 fish
2010Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 108 fish
2004Yellow perchExcellent numbers28.5per gill net6"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 114 fish
Recent surveysLengths measured · 114 fish
2018Lengths measured · 420 fish
2010Lengths measured · 7 fish
2004Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 89 fish
1997Rates 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 120 adults |
| 2023 | Bluegill Sunfish | 61 adults |
| 2023 | Largemouth Bass | 60 adults |
| 2022 | Walleye | 267,000 fry |
| 2021 | Walleye | 267,000 fry |
| 2018 | Walleye | 267,000 fry |
| 2017 | Walleye | 267,000 fry |
| 2016 | Walleye | 270,000 fry |
Recent reports
Nelson Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Nelson 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
- Nelson Lake (trailer launch)
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Signalness Lake · 42 ac · 3.9 mi
- Lake Linka · 178 ac · 4.6 mi
- Gilchrist Lake · 336 ac · 5.1 mi
- Lake Minnewaska · 8,050 ac · 6.3 mi
- Scandinavian Lake · 417 ac · 6.9 mi
- Goose Lake · 324 ac · 8 mi
- Pelican Lake · 518 ac · 8.2 mi
- Camp Lake · 230 ac · 8.9 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
Is there a depth map for Nelson Lake?
The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Nelson Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.
What fish are in Nelson Lake?
The most recent DNR survey (2023) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Does Nelson Lake have a public access?
Yes. Nelson Lake has one public access site: Nelson Lake (trailer launch).
Is Nelson Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie, bluegill sunfish and largemouth bass in 2023; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
When was Nelson Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Nelson Lake in 2023, the most recent of 7 surveys on record.
Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →
Page updated .