Lake Kelso Fishing near Burton, Ohio

• Overview

  Lake Kelso is one of the Geauga County waters in Ohio. This is lake country bush ground. With some 28 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. It ranks high for size among our Geauga County listings. Burton lies 2.4 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Cleveland, 27 miles away. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Lake Kelso

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Geauga County include rainbow darter, redfin pickerel, bluegill, johnny darter and fantail darter. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. At Lake Kelso light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 70°F, the coldest about 24°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The freeze runs deep into the year, with break-up near late March. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about late December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Lake Kelso runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. A car park lies half a mile away, so the walk in is short. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Part of this sits inside or beside Burton Wetlands, so read the notices. For the pike, wire up and throw larger lures along the weed edges. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Fern Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Lake Kelso before loading the car.