Fishing Kelly Lake in Kelsey, Manitoba

• Overview

  Set in Kelsey, Kelly Lake is a Manitoba water. The surroundings are lake country bush. It runs to roughly 31 hectares — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The whole outline is near 3.4 km, and most of it is walkable. Our Kelsey list holds plenty of bigger water. The nearest town is Flin Flon, 34 km away. Saskatoon sits 449 km out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Kelly Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Survey and observation records for Kelsey include white sucker, johnny darter, northern pike and walleye. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Kelly Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs -22°C to 17°C. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early May. Ice usually gives way near early May, and forms again about early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Kelly Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Fox Lake, 1.1 km away. For Kelly Lake in particular, ask before you travel.