Nelson Lake near Hawley: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Nelson Lake lies in Clay County, Minnesota. Around the bank it is lake country bush. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Our Clay County list holds plenty of bigger water. Hawley sits 8.6 miles from here and is the nearest stop. The big place round here is Fargo, 27 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Nelson Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Records held for Clay County cover bluegill, yellow perch, black crappie and northern pike. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Nelson Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 69°F, with January the cold end at about 6°F. The year runs cold to warm and back, with clear transitions. After mid April the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate averages put the opening at about mid April and the closing near late November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Nelson Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Softing Lake, 0.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm before you fish Nelson Lake.