Lower Kelly Lake near Hales Corners: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Lower Kelly Lake in the Milwaukee County part of Wisconsin. It stands 814 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 3 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. Most waters listed here for Milwaukee County are larger. Nearest town is Hales Corners, 1.2 miles off. For a city, Milwaukee is 11 miles off. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Lower Kelly Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records held for Milwaukee County cover common carp, rainbow trout, goldfish, bluegill and gizzard shad. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Take Lower Kelly Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 72°F on average, January about 19°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Look for the thaw near late March; the fishing lifts straight after. Open water usually runs from late March until about mid December. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lower Kelly Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. Failing this one, try Upper Kelly Lake, 0.2 miles away. None of that is settled for Lower Kelly Lake in what we hold.