Nelson

Crow Wing County

Near Pine Knoll

DOW: 18016400

Northern PikeGood · 62Yellow PerchGood · 51

A 319-acre lake near Pine Knoll in Crow Wing County — best known for pike and panfish. Last surveyed 1986.

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Good · 62

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.84 lbs

Catch rate: 13.7 per gill net · typical 4.6–11.6 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	13.67	-	1.84 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1986	0.25	-	1.70 lbs	Standard trap nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 51

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 12.7 per gill net · typical 8–40.3 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	1.50	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Jul 20, 1986	12.67	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.33 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	0.33	-	0.30 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	0.67	-	0.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Brown Bullhead

Good · 73

Above-normal numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.43 lbs

Catch rate: 22.0 per trap net · typical 1.5–9.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	37.33	-	0.54 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1986	22.00	-	0.43 lbs	Standard trap nets

Black Bullhead

Average · 46

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Jul 1986

Last surveyed 1986 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 3.8 per trap net · typical 1.1–17.4 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Jul 20, 1986	53.00	-	0.31 lbs	Standard gill nets
Jul 20, 1986	3.75	-	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Biologist Notes

July 20, 1986Yellow perch, bowfin and black bullhead catches indicated average size populations since the respective catches all fell between the first and third q…

Yellow perch, bowfin and black bullhead catches indicated average size populations since the respective catches all fell between the first and third quartile of the range around the regional median. Species with catches above the third quartile are northern pike and brown bullhead. Species caught during the 1968 initial investigation, but not caught during the present resurvey are yellow bullhead, largemouth bass and black crappie. Two pumpkinseed and one bluegill were sampled. Based on catches of these nets both northern pike and yellow perch populations have remained the same. Northern pike aged (31 of 31 fish) showed aged classes 1-3. Age classes 2 and 3 are nearly identical, 13 and 14 fish respectively. Growth of all three year classes is good as well as annual increment back-calculated lengths. The length frequency distribution has expanded from the 15.0-19.9 inch 1968 data to the present 14.0-23.9 inch distribution. The mean weight has also changed. In 1968 the mean weight was 1 pound while at present it is 1.8 lbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Nelson?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike and Yellow Perch in Nelson. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Nelson?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Nelson. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Nelson?

Nelson has a maximum depth of 12 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Nelson last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Nelson is from 1986. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.