Kelly Lake Fishing in Boise County, Idaho

• Overview

  Kelly Lake lies within the bounds of Boise County, Idaho. It stands 7,874 feet above sea level. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Start from Challis, 48 miles down the road. The nearest city of size is Boise, 70 miles away. Not far off: 0.6 miles away is Marten Lake, Elizabeth Lake out at 1.1 miles, 1.6 miles away is Swamp Lake, Hidden Lake out at 2.3 miles and 4.9 miles away is Bull Trout Lake. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Kelly Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Public occurrence data for Boise County names cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, california golden trout, Arctic grayling and mountain whitefish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Take Kelly Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 17°F in December to roughly 55°F in July. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near early May. Climate averages put the opening at about early May and the closing near mid November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Kelly Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Marten Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Kelly Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.