Kelly Lake Fishing near Aitkin, Minnesota

• Overview

  Aitkin County, Minnesota, is where Kelly Lake sits. It lies 1,266 feet above sea level. At 6 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Most waters listed here for Aitkin County are larger. For a base, Aitkin sits 11 miles out. The big place round here is Minneapolis, 99 miles distant. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Kelly Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish documented in Aitkin County include northern pike, bluegill and yellow perch. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Kelly Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 68°F; the cold one sits at 7°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near mid April. Averages suggest open water from about mid April through to roughly late November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. The season on Kelly Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Jacobs Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Kelly Lake before loading the car.