Nelson Lake, Sawyer County Fishing
A 2,716-acre Wisconsin flowage in Sawyer County, down to 33 feet.
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Nelson Lake, Sawyer County by the numbers
In Sawyer County, Nelson Lake, Sawyer County spreads over 2,716 acres of open water. Expect water as deep as 33 feet, with a mean of 11 feet. Hayward lies about 5 miles from the lake. It is a Northern Region water for the WDNR. The DNR groups it as a complex cool dark lake.
The WDNR designated waters layer marks it as an Outstanding Resource Water. It lies in the ceded territory, where the walleye bag is three on each water. The DNR fish list names walleye, largemouth bass, panfish, northern pike and smallmouth bass. There are 4 public boat landings on its shore. A 2017 satellite estimate puts clarity at 3.8 feet.
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Each species group in Nelson Lake, Sawyer County carries a WDNR abundance word.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Walleye | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Panfish | Common |
| Northern Pike | Present |
| Smallmouth Bass | Present |
How the DNR describes the Nelson Lake, Sawyer County fishery
“Complex cool dark lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for yellow perch, and have the potential to produce quality northern pike and muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
- Nelson Lake Access near Hayward (WDNR 1526)2 lanes, 11 to 15 trailer stalls, Land & Water Conservation Dept.
- Gerlachs Landing1 lane, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Town of Lenroot
- Nelson Lake Access near Hayward (WDNR 5119)1 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Lenroot
- Nelson Lake Park Boat Access1 lane, 6 to 10 trailer stalls, restroom, Forestry Department
Boat landings close to Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
- Smith Lake Access near HaywardSmith Lake, 2 miles south
- Totagatic River Access near Hayward (WDNR 5120)Totagatic River, 3 miles northwest
- Phipps Flowage AccessPhipps Flowage, 3 miles east
- Phipps Spring Boat LandingPhipps Spring, 3 miles east
- Larsen Bridge LandingNamekagon River, 5 miles northeast
- Hayward Lake AccessHayward Lake, 5 miles south
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
What the water is like in Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
The DNR bottom survey for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County lists 30% sand, 20% gravel, 40% rock, 10% muck.
WDNR types Nelson Lake, Sawyer County as a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
Invasives verified in Nelson Lake, Sawyer County: banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, ornamental water lilies (non-native nymphaea sp.) and rusty crayfish. Leave the landing with an empty bilge and live well.
Ordinances in force on Nelson Lake, Sawyer County: littering, speed limits (mph), water skiing restrictions, buoy placement, slow-no-wake areas, waterway markers.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Fishing regulations for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
Each row is the regulation the WDNR app prints for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 40" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length, but northern pike from 25" to 35" may not be kept.The daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
Every species on Nelson Lake, Sawyer County also falls under this note: Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.
From the Sawyer County section of the guide: Sawyer County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). For all lakes and flowages that are also partially within Washburn County, largemouth and smallmouth bass of any length may be kept. A portion of Sawyer County is in the Northern Bass Zone (see base regulations on page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (three hooks, baits or lures per person).
For pike Nelson Lake, Sawyer County is north of Hwy 10, and the Northern or Southern Bass Zone (the county is split; see the guide map) sets its bass dates.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
Recent stockings at Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
Stocking records for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County: 4 entries, 113,240 fish, years 2023 to 2025.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Walleye | small fingerling | 1.55 in | 92,688 |
| 2025 | Walleye | small fingerling | 3.4 in | 9,495 |
| 2024 | Walleye | small fingerling | 3.25 in | 9,749 |
| 2023 | Walleye | large fingerling | 6.99 in | 1,308 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Lakes near Nelson Lake, Sawyer County compared
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Lake, Sawyer County | 2,716 | 33 | 4 | complex cool dark | |
| Smith Lake near Hayward, Sawyer County | 2 miles southwest | 326 | 29 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Phipps Flowage | 3 miles east | 134 | 13 | 1 | complex warm dark |
| Little Round Lake near Hayward, Sawyer County | 3 miles southwest | 22 | 18 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Indian School Lake | 3 miles south | 65 | 6 | 0 | simple cool clear |
| Phipps Spring | 3 miles east | 40 | 13 | 1 | simple warm dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Around the area of Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
Lakes next door to Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
- Smith Lake near Hayward, Sawyer County2 miles southwest
- Phipps Flowage3 miles east
- Little Round Lake near Hayward, Sawyer County3 miles southwest
- Indian School Lake3 miles south
- Phipps Spring3 miles east
Minnows and tackle close to Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
- Minnow Jim's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hayward, 2 miles
- L And M Fleet Supply, 10680 STATE HIGHWAY 27 and 77farm and general store with fishing gear, Hayward, 4 miles
- Walmart Haywardfarm and general store with fishing gear, Hayward, 4 miles
- Hayward Bait And Bottle Shoppe Incbait and tackle shop, Hayward, 4 miles
- Hayward Fly Fishing Cofly shop, Hayward, 4 miles
- Hayward Outfitters – Hayward Water Sportsbait and tackle shop, Hayward, 5 miles
Towns within reach of Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
- Hayward5 miles
- Little Round Lake9 miles
- Chief Lake12 miles
Nelson Lake, Sawyer County by county
- Sawyer Countyseat: Hayward
Piscifun spinning and casting reels for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
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Know the fish of Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
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Nelson Lake, Sawyer County: what Wisconsin anglers want to know
Which Wisconsin county is Nelson Lake, Sawyer County in?
Look in Sawyer County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Hayward.
How many acres does the WDNR give Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
2,716 acres of water and 33 feet at the deepest.
Can I back a trailer into Nelson Lake, Sawyer County at a public landing?
4 mapped landings, led by Nelson Lake Access near Hayward (WDNR 1526).
Which fish does the WDNR list for Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
On file: walleye (abundant), largemouth bass (common), panfish (common), northern pike (present) and smallmouth bass (present).
What size limits apply on Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
Walleye, sauger and hybrids: The minimum length limit is 18" and the daily bag limit is 3.
What does a nonresident pay to fish Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
How clear does the water in Nelson Lake, Sawyer County run?
Satellite clarity about 3.8 feet (2017). Bottom: 30% sand, 20% gravel, 40% rock, 10% muck. WDNR class: complex cool dark. Type: drainage.
Which bait counter sits closest to Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
Minnow Jim's Bait Shop is about 2 miles from the lake.
When did WDNR crews last stock Nelson Lake, Sawyer County?
WDNR stocked 92,688 walleye and 9,495 walleye in 2025.
Hitch up the boat and haul it to Nelson Lake, Sawyer County
The license page has every Wisconsin fee and season.