The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 6 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Nelson Lake
Sawyer County, Wisconsin · about 2,600 acres (4.1 sq mi)
44°F water, calm this morning.
About Nelson Lake
Nelson Lake spreads over about 2,600 acres in Sawyer County, Wisconsin.
It stretches about 3.9 miles end to end with roughly 25 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,260 ft above sea level. Hayward is about 4.1 miles south. Duluth, the nearest city, is about 55 miles northwest.
- Size
- About 2,600 acres (4.1 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 25 miles
- End to end
- About 3.9 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,260 ft
- County
- Sawyer County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise
- 3:00 pm – 4:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 5 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 0 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Nelson Lake in Wisconsin usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 44°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowLargemouth bass
Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
6 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:04 am · sunset 4:35 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Nelson Lake
- Haywardabout 4.1 mi south
- Little Round Lakeabout 8.6 mi southeast
- Spoonerabout 26 mi southwest
- Lake Nebagamonabout 29 mi north
- Duluthnearest city, about 55 mi northwest
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Questions about Nelson Lake
What fish are in Nelson Lake?
Lakes like Nelson Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Nelson Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Nelson Lake?
About 2,600 acres, with about 25 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Nelson Lake?
Hayward is about 4.1 miles south; Little Round Lake is about 8.6 miles southeast.
What is the water temperature at Nelson Lake today?
The surface was about 44°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Nelson Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
