Kelly Lake in Cass County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  You will find Kelly Lake in Cass County, Minnesota. It sits at 1,424 feet above sea level. With some 31 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Nearest place of any size is Lake Shore, 11 miles away. The big place round here is Fargo, 108 miles distant. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Kelly Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Survey and observation records for Cass County include largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Kelly Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 68°F, with January the cold end at about 6°F. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid April. The open-water window runs from around mid April to about late November in an average year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Kelly Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Seven Lakes at 0.9 miles is the nearest alternative. Rules at Kelly Lake are worth checking on the day.