Kelly Lake Fishing in Aitkin County, Minnesota

• Overview

  Kelly Lake is listed under Aitkin County, Minnesota. It sits at 1,283 feet above sea level. It measures about 43 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. About 1.0 miles of bank, so nothing stays unexplored for long. You are 24 miles from Crosslake. Minneapolis is the closest city, 136 miles away. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Kelly Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Aitkin County, recorded fish include northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Kelly Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 67°F at the top of summer and 6°F at the bottom of winter. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Ice-out usually falls in mid April, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Average temperatures cross freezing around mid April in spring and again near late November in autumn. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. On Kelly Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Ahsebun Lake, 1.4 miles out. The position on Kelly Lake is worth confirming on the day.