Nelson Lake
Nelson Lake is a 2,716-acre reservoir in Sawyer County near Hayward with a maximum depth of 33 feet and a mean depth near 12 feet. WDNR lists walleye as abundant and panfish and largemouth bass as common; water clarity is low.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Listed as abundant by WDNR
Largemouth Bass
Listed as common by WDNR
Bluegill
Panfish listed as common
Crappie
Panfish listed as common
Smallmouth Bass
Listed as present by WDNR
Northern Pike
Listed as present by WDNR
Muskellunge
Reported present by Lake-Link
Boat launches
2 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Nelson Lake public boat launchesPublicWDNR and Lake-Link list 4 public landingsDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the WDNR lake page for all landingsDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | 18 in | 3 / day |
| Largemouth Bass May 2 to Jun 19, 2026 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Largemouth/Smallmouth Bass Jun 20, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Smallmouth Bass May 2 to Jun 19, 2026; catch and release only | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 0 / day |
| Northern Pike 25-35 in protected (cannot be kept); open May 2, 2026 to Mar 7, 2027 | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 5 / day |
| Muskellunge May 2 to Dec 31, 2026; open water only | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Panfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Catfish Open all year | See Wisconsin rules book ↗ | 10 / day |
| Trout See specific trout regulations | Varies | Varies |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Wisconsin DNR ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Minnow Jim's Bait ShopNearby14830 W Nelson Lake Rd, Hayward, WI 54843(715) 634-4352Directions ↗
- Hayward BaitNearby15737 W US Highway 63, Hayward, WI 54843(715) 634-2921Directions ↗
- Happy Hooker Bait & TackleNearby12272 N Upper A Rd, Hayward, WI 54843(715) 462-3984Directions ↗
Local tips
- Shallow, stained reservoir: fish weed edges and rock/gravel areas
- Brighter or higher-contrast lures help in low clarity
- Check WDNR for current walleye and musky length limits
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
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Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.