Walleye lake, Northern pike lake, Bass lake, Crappie lake, Sunfish lake

Nels Lake

Lake-specific eating advicePublic accessStocked 2024

Nels Lake is a 182-acre lake in St. Louis County, 30 feet at its deepest. The DNR last surveyed its fish in 2023. Recorded species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and crappie.

Details

DNR lake ID
69008000
County
St. Louis
Surface area
182 acres
Maximum depth
30 feet
Shallow water (littoral) area
88 acres, 48% of the lake
Shoreline
5.8 miles
Average water clarity
7.3 feet (Secchi disk, 4 readings)
Nearest town (DNR)
Ely
Latest DNR fish survey
June 2023, targeted survey
Surveys on record
10, since 1980
Game fish caught in the 2023 survey
northern pike 39, yellow perch 28, walleye 16, black crappie 1, smallmouth bass 1, bluegill 1
Fish species recorded
black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, northern sunfish, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 4 other species
Stocked in 2024
walleye fry (44,000)
Stocked in 2022
walleye fry (44,000)
Stocked in 2021
walleye fry (44,000)
Stocking years on record
5 of the last 10 (2017 to 2024)
Nels Lake Public Water Access Site
trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 4 trailer spaces, toilet, run by U.S. Forest Service
Eating advice, general populations
northern pike: shorter than 20" - 1 serving/week; northern pike: 20" or longer - 1 serving/month; walleye: shorter than 16" - 1 serving/week; walleye: 16" or longer - 1 serving/month
Size
100 to 499 acres
Deepest point
30 to 59 feet
Public access
Yes
Stocked in the last 3 years
Yes
Lake-specific eating advice
Yes

Sources

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.

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