Walleye fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 4 to 15 ft that time of year. They move out to 10 to 32 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 32 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Square Butte Creek inflow: a inflow / creek mouth around 13 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.

Northern Pike fishing at Nelson Lake

Spring northern pike on Nelson Lake hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. They move out to 8 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 15 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 2 ft of water that rates prime for northern pike in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: yellow perch sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer pushes them deeper, 10 to 30 ft, and winter fish settle into 10 to 32 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 32 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in fall. Plan around early morning in the warm months. A drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm covers the summer program.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 10 to 30 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 32 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 20 ft that scores prime in winter. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig covers the summer program.

White Bass fishing at Nelson Lake

Start shallow in spring: white bass sit in 2 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 8 to 25 ft in summer and finish the year down in 10 to 32 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 32 ft that scores prime in winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening.

Crappie fishing at Nelson Lake

In spring, crappie run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. By summer they slide out to 10 to 25 ft, and by winter most fish are in 10 to 32 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 32 ft, rated prime for winter crappie. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.

How deep is Nelson Lake?

Nelson Lake is about 32 ft at its deepest point. The depth chart here comes from real state fisheries GPS surveys, so the contours reflect measured depths.

What fish are in Nelson Lake?

Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, white bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, yellow perch on Nelson Lake.

Where is the best fishing spot on Nelson Lake?

Square Butte Creek inflow is the top-rated area: a inflow / creek mouth in about 13 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Nelson Lake?

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.