Nelson Lake in Sawyer County is a 2,503 to 3,166-acre reservoir formed by damming the Totogatic River in 1934. Located just north of Hayward, Wisconsin, this expansive flowage offers diverse fishing opportunities across its relatively shallow waters, which reach a maximum depth of 33 to 38 feet. The lake features a primarily sandy bottom interspersed with areas of muck and gravel, creating varied habitat for multiple fish species. With approximately 31 to 37 miles of shoreline, much of it undeveloped due to county and state ownership along the north shore and Big Island, Nelson Lake maintains a natural character while remaining highly accessible to anglers. The flowage is characterized by stained water with typical visibility of five feet, creating favorable conditions for both predator and prey species. Nelson Lake has earned a reputation as one of the few lakes in the Upper Midwest with documented capacity to produce trophy-sized fish, including a former state record bluegill weighing 2 pounds, 5 ounces caught in 1977.