Center, ND · the lake that never freezes
Nelson Lake
Nelson Lake is the cooling reservoir for the Milton R. Young power station near Center — about 580 acres of water kept warm year-round by the plant’s discharge. It is the only lake in North Dakota where open-water boating in January is a real thing; people have water-skied here in midwinter.
The warm water does something else remarkable: it gives fish the longest growing season in the state. Nelson Lake produced North Dakota’s record largemouth bass, and it remains the state’s premier bass fishery.
The Fishing
Largemouth bass is the story: the state record (8 lb 8 oz, 1983) came from this lake, and the warm water keeps producing the best bass fishing in North Dakota. Bluegill and other panfish thrive in the same conditions.
The Right Boat for Nelson Lake
- A Lund for twelve-month fishing. Shop fishing boats →
- Yamaha WaveRunner — Bismarck’s closest PWC playground. Shop WaveRunners →
- Pontoon — warm-water family days. Shop pontoons →
Boat shopping for Nelson Lake? Visit Vallely Sport & Marine — Bismarck or call (701) 299-0172. We handle delivery, service, winterization, and storage across the region.
