Nichols

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69062700

133 Surveys

418.67

Acres

31 ft

Max Depth

7.9 ft

Mean Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Nichols. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.6 – 24.4	1.08 lb	27
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 4.6	1.19 lb	1
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.1 – 4.6	0.92 lb	8
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.1 – 4.6	0.94 lb	8
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.1 – 4.6	2.86 lb	4
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 24.4	2.39 lb	2
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.6 – 24.4	1.11 lb	5
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 4.6	1.02 lb	3

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	—	1
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.10 lb	16
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	0.10 lb	1
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	3.5 (below normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.13 lb	21
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	0.09 lb	1
2007-08-06	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.07 lb	11
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	5.1 (normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.11 lb	46
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	6.8 (normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.10 lb	61
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.8	0.16 lb	1
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	—	1
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	0.7	—	—	6
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.6 (below normal)	4.7 – 15.8	0.11 lb	14

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.99 lb	1
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	2.4	—	0.94 lb	22
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.0 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.67 lb	24
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	8.8	—	0.72 lb	53
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	4.1 (above normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.74 lb	37
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	2.0	—	0.71 lb	18
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.84 lb	5
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	1.7	—	0.63 lb	15
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	1.51 lb	11
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	2.0	—	1.60 lb	18
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.74 lb	16
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	7.1	—	0.64 lb	64
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	2.7	—	—	3

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	2.0 – 6.0	1.80 lb	34
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	2.86 lb	13
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	2.0 – 6.0	2.57 lb	26
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.5	—	1.27 lb	9
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	7.9 (above normal)	2.0 – 6.0	2.13 lb	71
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	1.00 lb	5
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	3.9 (normal)	2.0 – 6.0	1.62 lb	35
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.41 lb	7
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	2.0 – 6.0	1.37 lb	27
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	1.6	—	1.06 lb	14
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.6 (normal)	2.0 – 6.0	1.39 lb	50
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	1.4	—	1.78 lb	13
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	0.2	—	—	2

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard electrofishing	38.1	—	1.30 lb	40
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	1.59 lb	1
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.2	4.41 lb	1
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	0.73 lb	3
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.10 lb	1
2007-08-06	Standard electrofishing	13.9	—	1.52 lb	8
2007-08-06	Survey seining	4.7	—	—	14
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	0.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.6	1.41 lb	8
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (normal)	0.1 – 0.2	1.50 lb	1
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	1.61 lb	2
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	0.12 lb	2
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	3.6	—	—	4
2012-08-13	Standard electrofishing	48.8	—	1.83 lb	30
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	2.0	—	—	18
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 0.6	0.81 lb	5

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	4.7 (normal)	3.2 – 13.7	1.55 lb	42
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.6 – 2.0	5.40 lb	1
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.0 (below normal)	3.2 – 13.7	2.19 lb	12
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 2.0	3.20 lb	2
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	3.2 – 13.7	3.08 lb	10
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.6 – 2.0	3.96 lb	3
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	3.2 – 13.7	3.16 lb	10
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 2.0	5.18 lb	2
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	2.1 (below normal)	3.2 – 13.7	1.50 lb	19
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	3.2 – 13.7	1.69 lb	10

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.03 lb	1

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	3.4	—	0.09 lb	31
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.25 lb	25
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.30 lb	11
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	5.8 (normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.19 lb	35
2007-08-06	Survey seining	42.3	—	—	127
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	3.7	—	0.13 lb	33
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	21.0 (above normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.20 lb	189
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	7.8 (normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.20 lb	70
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	3.1	—	0.12 lb	28
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	5.7 (normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.22 lb	51
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.6	—	0.21 lb	14
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	20.9	—	—	23
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	7.8	—	—	70
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.2	—	0.10 lb	20
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	7.0 (normal)	0.9 – 8.3	0.18 lb	63

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.09 lb	2
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.22 lb	3
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.20 lb	2
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.18 lb	18
2007-08-06	Survey seining	9.3	—	—	28
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.08 lb	6
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	2.8 (normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.14 lb	25
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.4	—	0.09 lb	4
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.18 lb	10
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.25 lb	6
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.36 lb	20
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	8.2	—	—	9
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	—	9
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 3.6	0.10 lb	7

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	3.0 – 11.0	2.63 lb	2
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	3.0 – 11.0	1.14 lb	18
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	3.0 – 11.0	2.09 lb	39
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	3.0 – 11.0	1.47 lb	16
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	3.6 (normal)	3.0 – 11.0	1.91 lb	32
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.1	3.38 lb	2
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	3.0 – 11.0	1.55 lb	6
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.1	3.78 lb	2

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-08-07	Standard gill nets	7.4 (above normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.07 lb	67
2017-08-07	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.20 lb	32
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.49 lb	7
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	4.2 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.28 lb	25
2007-08-06	Standard gill nets	4.1 (above normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.10 lb	37
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	2.2 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.22 lb	20
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.14 lb	30
2002-08-05	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.25 lb	15
1995-08-07	Standard gill nets	1.3 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.15 lb	12
1995-08-07	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.13 lb	8
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	0.4 – 4.0	0.12 lb	34
2012-08-13	Standard trap nets	3.8 (normal)	0.3 – 4.6	0.36 lb	34

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1990-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.9 – 16.9	0.50 lb	2
1990-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.6 – 124.4	0.83 lb	10
2007-08-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.9 – 16.9	0.85 lb	2
2002-08-05	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	2.6 – 124.4	0.09 lb	1
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	2.6 – 124.4	0.45 lb	1

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	2.7	—	3
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	3

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	1.0	—	9

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	1
2012-08-13	Backpack electrofishing	0.9	—	1

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2012-08-13	15-ft beach seine	1.7	—	15

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Nichols

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Nichols.

C&B Rentals

Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234

Espland's

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282

Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing

Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435

Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Nichols. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Crappie Bluegill Brown Bullhead Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Smallmouth Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Nichols

218 Sportfishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

(651) 270-7155

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Plan Your Trip to Nichols

Weather forecast for Nichols — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 47.0929°N, 92.5375°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Nichols

DNR Fish Surveys

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Yellow Bullhead

Northern Pike

Largemouth Bass

Walleye

Hybrid Sunfish

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Black Bullhead

CNM

Common Shiner

Iowa Darter

BNS

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Bass Pro Shops

Benders

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Canadian Waters Inc

Canoe Country Outfitters

Cenex

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Arrowhead Lodge

Bill's Boat Storage

Birch Point Marine

BP Marine Plus

Resorts & Lodges Near Nichols

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Nichols

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Nichols