Nels

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69008000

93 Surveys

182.2

Acres

30 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Nels. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	4.3	—	—	30
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.36 lb	16
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	1.75 lb	3
2016-07-25	Standard electrofishing	3.3	—	1.21 lb	5

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	0.1	—	0.03 lb	1

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.11 lb	5
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	254.4	—	—	1781
1996-08-05	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.14 lb	30
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.16 lb	32
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	5.5 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.11 lb	33
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.11 lb	28
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.14 lb	30
1980-07-10	Standard gill nets	20.5 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.17 lb	41
1984-09-05	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.11 lb	16
1991-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.10 lb	1
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.12 lb	32
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.08 lb	11
2006-07-31	Standard gill nets	8.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.11 lb	52
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.5	0.07 lb	1
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.5 – 7.0	0.13 lb	15

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	11.9	—	—	83
1996-08-05	Standard gill nets	8.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 4.9	2.28 lb	48
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 2.7	2.77 lb	7
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	5.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 4.9	1.28 lb	30
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	2.07 lb	16
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	1.35 lb	14
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.2 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	2.18 lb	19
1980-07-10	Standard gill nets	5.0 (above normal)	1.2 – 4.9	1.75 lb	10
1984-09-05	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	1.93 lb	14
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	2.07 lb	23
1991-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.7	2.10 lb	1
2006-07-31	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	2.24 lb	22
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.7	2.24 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.2 – 4.9	1.69 lb	18
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.7	2.44 lb	1

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	1.3 – 5.3	1.35 lb	17
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.04 lb	6
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	0.1	—	9.72 lb	1
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	1.3 – 5.3	1.51 lb	18
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.3	2.40 lb	3
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	6.5 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.3	1.52 lb	39
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.3	4.67 lb	4
1980-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.3	1.75 lb	2
1984-09-05	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.3	2.55 lb	4
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	1.3 – 5.3	0.89 lb	8
1991-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	1.25 lb	2
2006-07-31	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.3 – 5.3	1.85 lb	14
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	3.05 lb	8
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.3 – 5.3	2.09 lb	16
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	2.09 lb	5

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.20 lb	3
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	0.1	—	—	1
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.30 lb	1
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.20 lb	1
1980-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	—	1
1984-09-05	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.20 lb	1
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.15 lb	2
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.8	0.11 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.8	0.34 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	0.04 lb	1
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	0.3	—	—	2

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard gill nets	5.7 (above normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.67 lb	34
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.09 lb	5
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	4.3 (above normal)	0.8 – 3.8	1.16 lb	26
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.83 lb	12
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.64 lb	16
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.84 lb	13
1980-07-10	Standard gill nets	8.5 (above normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.65 lb	17
1984-09-05	Standard gill nets	4.3 (above normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.82 lb	17
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.61 lb	14
1991-08-01	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	0.40 lb	2
2006-07-31	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.28 lb	10
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.05 lb	5
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.8 – 3.8	0.66 lb	14
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	1.01 lb	8

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	1/4-in trap nets	0.6	—	—	4
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	1.50 lb	1
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.24 lb	1
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 1.3	0.53 lb	3
2016-07-25	Standard electrofishing	2.0	—	0.72 lb	3
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 1.3	0.11 lb	2

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1996-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	4.3 – 34.3	0.53 lb	4
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.50 lb	2
2020-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.49 lb	1
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.52 lb	1
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.70 lb	1
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	6.4 (normal)	4.3 – 34.3	0.27 lb	58
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	5.1 (normal)	4.3 – 34.3	0.30 lb	46

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1989-07-27	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.10 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2023-06-27	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 1.9	0.02 lb	1

Burbot

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1986-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.20 lb	1

Shorthead Redhorse

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1991-08-01	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.3	2.10 lb	1
2006-07-31	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	4.10 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Nels

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Nels.

C&B Rentals

Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234

Espland's

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282

Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing

Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435

Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Nels. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Nels

218 Sportfishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

(651) 270-7155

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Plan Your Trip to Nels

Weather forecast for Nels — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 48.0242°N, 91.8976°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Nels

DNR Fish Surveys

Largemouth Bass

Pumpkinseed

Yellow Perch

White Sucker

Northern Pike

Rock Bass

Golden Shiner

Walleye

Smallmouth Bass

Bluegill

Hybrid Sunfish

Black Crappie

Burbot

Shorthead Redhorse

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Bass Pro Shops

Benders

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Canadian Waters Inc

Canoe Country Outfitters

Cenex

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Arrowhead Lodge

Bill's Boat Storage

Birch Point Marine

BP Marine Plus

Resorts & Lodges Near Nels

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Nels

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Nels