Nelson Lake Fishing Map — 44 ft Deep, Spots (WI)

Target species

Species from state lake data, resolved by location. These species come from the Wisconsin DNR's own per-lake fish listing. Where the DNR reports a group rather than a species — “panfish”, “catfish”, “trout” — the specific species are resolved from Wisconsin's fish distribution by this lake's location, depth and habitat, so those are an informed estimate, not a per-species survey. The named gamefish (walleye, musky, bass, pike, sturgeon…) are the DNR's own listing. (The depth chart is a computer-generated estimate from the lake's real shoreline and the DNR's maximum depth — not measured contours.) How we estimate species →

Recommendations come from depth structure and seasonal species behavior. Treat them as a starting point, not a guarantee. Contours on this water are approximations. Never use for navigation. Always check local regulations.

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Recent catches at Nelson Lake

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Fishing Nelson Lake: what the data says

6-acre lake near Wisconsin. The lake tops out around 44 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.

Yellow Perch fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 10 to 30 ft in summer and finish the year down in 15 to 35 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for summer yellow perch. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Season	Depth	Best window	Go-to baits
Spring	3 to 12 ft	midday & dawn	Small jig + curly tail, Perch-pattern micro crank
Summer	10 to 30 ft	dawn	Drop-shot micro plastics, Small spoon tipped with worm
Fall	12 to 35 ft	midday	Jigging spoon (small), Perch rig / spreader
Winter	15 to 35 ft	midday & dawn	Tungsten jig + spikes, Rattle spoon (small)

Crappie fishing at Nelson Lake

Spring crappie on Nelson Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 15 to 35 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 37 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Season	Depth	Best window	Go-to baits
Spring	2 to 8 ft	midday & dawn	1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub
Summer	10 to 25 ft	dawn & dusk	Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled)
Fall	8 to 20 ft	dawn	Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2")
Winter	15 to 35 ft	midday	Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon

Bluegill fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: bluegill sit in 1 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 4 to 15 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 25 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 20 ft that scores good in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig gets it done.

Season	Depth	Best window	Go-to baits
Spring	1 to 6 ft	midday & dusk	1/32 oz jig + micro plastic, Tiny popper (evenings)
Summer	4 to 15 ft	dawn & dusk	Small sponge spider (fly), Micro tube jig
Fall	6 to 18 ft	midday	Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped
Winter	10 to 25 ft	midday	Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon

Pumpkinseed fishing at Nelson Lake

In spring, pumpkinseed run shallow here, mostly 1 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 2 to 10 ft, and winter fish settle into 6 to 18 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 20 ft, rated good for winter pumpkinseed. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a micro tube or a sponge spider (fly) and you're in the game.

Season	Depth	Best window	Go-to baits
Spring	1 to 8 ft	midday & dusk	Micro jig under a float, Tiny beetle-spin
Summer	2 to 10 ft	dusk & dawn	Micro tube, Sponge spider (fly)
Fall	4 to 14 ft	dusk & dawn	Micro jig + waxworm, Small spoon tipped
Winter	6 to 18 ft	dawn	Tungsten ice jig + plastic, Tiny spoon

Notable structure

Deep basin: deep basin, around 37 ft
Break off the point: drop-off, around 20 ft
Main-lake point: point, around 11 ft

Common questions

How deep is Nelson Lake?

Nelson Lake is about 44 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 Nelson Lake?

Anglers target crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed on Nelson Lake. These come from the Wisconsin DNR's per-lake fish listing; where the DNR lists a group (panfish, catfish, trout) the specific species are resolved from Wisconsin's fish distribution by the lake's location, depth and habitat.

Where is the best fishing spot on Nelson Lake?

Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Nelson Lake?

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

Nearby waters

Otter Lake · Lower First Lake · Upper First Lake · Jordan Lake · Silver Lake · Hilson Lake

See how Nelson Lake stacks up: best crappie lakes in Wisconsin · best bluegill lakes in Wisconsin · best yellow perch lakes in Wisconsin · best pumpkinseed lakes in Wisconsin

Browse all Wisconsin fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.