Walleye fishing at Nels

In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 4 to 15 ft. They move out to 9 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Yellow Perch fishing at Nels

Spring yellow perch on Nels hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Nels

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Nels

Spring smallmouth bass on Nels hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 8 ft that scores prime in fall. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.

Largemouth Bass fishing at Nels

Spring largemouth bass on Nels hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 9 to 30 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 4 ft that scores prime in spring. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a texas-rigged 10" worm or a deep-diving crankbait and you're in the game.

Rock Bass fishing at Nels

Spring rock bass on Nels hold shallow, usually 2 to 10 ft. They move out to 5 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 12 to 30 ft. The spot to know is Main-lake point, a point in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for rock bass in summer. Best bite is the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.

How deep is Nels?

Nels is about 30 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Nels?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, burbot, rock bass, pumpkinseed on Nels.

Where is the best fishing spot on Nels?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 14 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Nels?

For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.