---
type: lake
name: "Nels Lake"
county: "St. Louis"
nearest_town: "Ely"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 182
max_depth_ft: 30
latitude: 48.0245
longitude: -91.89038
lake_score: 61
dnr_lake_id: "69008000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/nels-lake
---

# Nels Lake

Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely

- **Surface Area**: 182 acres
- **Max Depth**: 30 ft
- **Shoreline**: 5.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 7.3 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 61/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

Nels Lake is an 182-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 30 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 5.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 7.3 feet.

Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 11 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.

There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the US Forest Service. 2 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 11
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2023
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Boat Ramp, Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, Burbot, Rock Bass, Northern Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [South Hegman Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/south-hegman-lake) - 1.4 miles, 118 acres
- [Picket Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/picket-lake-ely) - 2.1 miles, 68 acres
- [Grassy Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/grassy-lake) - 2.2 miles, 257 acres
- [Fenske Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/fenske-lake) - 2.3 miles, 108 acres
- [Everett Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/everett-lake) - 3.1 miles, 113 acres
- [Agassa Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/agassa-lake) - 3.4 miles, 72 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=48.0245,-91.89038)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=69008000)
- [All lakes in St. Louis County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/st-louis-county/nels-lake)*