Fishing at Nellie Lake, Cass County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Nellie Lake belongs to Cass County, Minnesota. The bank is 1,329 feet above sea level. Surface area is around 26 acres, which gives you real water without needing a boat. Crosslake sits 24 miles from the bank. The nearest city of size is Fargo, 121 miles away. Within easy reach: Craig Lake a shade over 0.4 miles, Boxell Lake at about 0.7 miles, Girl Lake a shade over 0.7 miles, Jack Lake at about 1.3 miles and Tadpole Lake a shade over 1.4 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Nellie Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. County-wide records name largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Fish Nellie Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 68°F for July and 6°F for January. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly mid April. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near late November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Plan any trip to Nellie Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can launch from a ramp around half a mile away. There is a mapped landing stage half a mile away. Full Stringer Bait and Tackle sits half a mile away and is marked for fishing. Facilities include toilets around half a mile from here. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Craig Lake sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Rules at Nellie Lake are worth checking on the day.