Nelson

Pope County, Minnesota — DOW #61010100

97 Surveys

293.33

Acres

15 ft

Max Depth

11 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

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

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	2.7 (below normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.49 lb	24
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	67.8 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.05 lb	271
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	74.5 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.23 lb	149
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	86.0 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.26 lb	602
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	24.4 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.19 lb	220
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	385.5 (above normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.06 lb	1542
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	3.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.94 lb	12
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	1.0	—	0.07 lb	2
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	5.7	—	0.46 lb	17
1983-06-27	Standard gill nets	36.0 (normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.64 lb	36
1983-06-27	Standard trap nets	15.0 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.62 lb	60
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	29.0 (below normal)	30.3 – 150.6	0.25 lb	58
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	58.0 (normal)	11.5 – 132.6	0.26 lb	348

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 4.5	1.33 lb	16
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.5 – 5.6	1.34 lb	7
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	0.4 – 4.5	0.42 lb	18
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	0.5 – 5.6	0.58 lb	10
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.5	1.06 lb	2
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 5.6	1.11 lb	3
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	0.5	—	1.42 lb	1
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	10.0	—	0.86 lb	30

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	17.0 (above normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.08 lb	153
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	66.8 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.07 lb	267
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.33 lb	3
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	16.0 (normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.30 lb	32
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.05 lb	1
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.10 lb	6
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	28.5 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.06 lb	114
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	2.5 (normal)	0.3 – 3.8	0.23 lb	15
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	37.0 (above normal)	2.7 – 25.0	0.18 lb	74

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	8.3 (above normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.98 lb	33
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	2.30 lb	5
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	21.0 (above normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.64 lb	42
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	3.7	—	2.00 lb	26
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.21 lb	15
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.15 lb	3
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	15.8 (above normal)	1.1 – 8.0	1.54 lb	63
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.7	—	1.90 lb	6
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	0.5	—	1.99 lb	1
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	0.3	—	2.94 lb	1
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	16.5 (above normal)	1.1 – 8.0	2.18 lb	33

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard electrofishing	70.2	—	0.97 lb	78
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.28 lb	1
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.2 – 0.7	0.23 lb	5
2004-06-28	Standard electrofishing	33.5	—	1.08 lb	25
2018-06-25	Standard electrofishing	10.0	—	0.59 lb	13
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	0.2 – 1.5	0.99 lb	4

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.62 lb	12
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.20 lb	1
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.30 lb	9
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.85 lb	1
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.5	0.73 lb	3
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.80 lb	12
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	0.5	—	0.19 lb	1

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.05 lb	1
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.04 lb	1
2023-05-03	3/8-in trap nets	1.0	—	0.05 lb	2
2023-05-03	Single-frame trap nets	0.3	—	0.09 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.98 lb	13
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	2.26 lb	3
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.34 lb	6
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.0	1.92 lb	4
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	1.5 (below normal)	2.3 – 18.1	2.73 lb	6

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	3.3	—	0.16 lb	13
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	28.7 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.10 lb	258
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.27 lb	19
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	16.3	—	0.12 lb	65
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	30.1 (above normal)	1.2 – 20.0	0.14 lb	271

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	2.55 lb	9
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.8 – 6.5	1.87 lb	3
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.5	2.26 lb	2
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.8 – 6.5	1.10 lb	1
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 2.6	0.99 lb	4

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard gill nets	1.0 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.10 lb	4
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.11 lb	4
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.14 lb	2
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	11.8 (normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.26 lb	106
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.4 – 13.8	0.27 lb	8
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.9 (below normal)	1.2 – 20.5	0.21 lb	8

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	4.8 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.10 lb	43
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.18 lb	5
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.15 lb	4
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.17 lb	4
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 4.9	0.06 lb	1

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2010-06-21	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	6.23 lb	3
1988-06-27	Standard trap nets	1.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.9	2.72 lb	13
1988-06-27	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.5	2.70 lb	1
2004-06-28	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 0.5	4.66 lb	1
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	4.78 lb	7
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.5	4.25 lb	2
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	2.57 lb	3
1997-06-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	4.68 lb	4
1997-06-30	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.5	4.01 lb	1

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2004-06-28	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	11.58 lb	2
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	1.0 – 5.5	3.90 lb	2

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-06-25	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.10 lb	3
2018-06-25	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.65 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 Marinas

Bobbers Marine & Sports Center

Glenwood, MN

(320) 634-5952

★ 4.2

Carlson Dock and Barge - Glenwood

Glenwood, MN

(320) 334-7815

★ 4.8

Grove Lake Park and Ramp

Glenwood, MN

651-296-6157

★ 5

Lake Minnewaska Marina

Glenwood, MN

(320) 634-1036

Minnewaska Marine

Starbuck, MN

(320) 239-2293

★ 4.7

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Alexandria, MN

(320) 766-2675

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Nelson

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Nelson.

Richards Fish House Rentals

Fishing Resort Cyrus

(320) 808-3887

Sunset Lodge

Fishing Resort Glenwood

Lake Reno Resort

Fishing Resort Glenwood

(320) 283-5667

Peters Sunset Beach Resort

Fishing Resort Glenwood

(320) 634-4501

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

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

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Common Carp Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Walleye Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Other Lakes in Pope County

Plan Your Trip to Nelson

Weather forecast for Nelson — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.5248°N, 95.4441°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.

Nelson

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Northern Pike

Largemouth Bass

Yellow Bullhead

Golden Shiner

Walleye

Bluegill

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Pumpkinseed

Bowfin

Common Carp

Hybrid Sunfish

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Fetterer's Live Bait

Glenwood Fleet Supply & True Value Hardware

Last Cast Bait & Tackle

Bosek Fisheries and Wholesale Live Bait

Brophy Bay Mart

Christopherson Bait and Tackle

Cowing Robards Sports

Dunham's Sports

Nearby Marinas

Bobbers Marine & Sports Center

Carlson Dock and Barge - Glenwood

Grove Lake Park and Ramp

Lake Minnewaska Marina

Minnewaska Marine

Adrenaline Sports of Alex

Resorts & Lodges Near Nelson

Fish Species

Other Lakes in Pope County

Amelia

Ann

Emily

Gilchrist

Goose

Grove

Plan Your Trip to Nelson