Hanging Kettle Lake
About Hanging Kettle Lake
Hanging Kettle Lake is a 318-acre lake near Aitkin in Aitkin County, Minnesota. It reaches 35 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 16 feet, and has roughly 3.8 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 8 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Ice typically goes out around April 16, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Hanging Kettle Lake
- 318 acres, up to 35 feet deep, near Aitkin
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 8 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 318 acres
- Max depth
- 35 ft
- Average depth
- 16 ft
- Shoreline
- 3.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 8 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 142 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 18
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 16
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- March 13, 2024
- Latest
- May 3, 2018
- Most recent
- March 13, 2024
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Hanging Kettle Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Ripple Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin630 acres
1.7 miles away
Hammal Lake
57 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin376 acres
2.1 miles away
Spirit Lake
62 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Bennettville523 acres
2.1 miles away
Hickory Lake
69 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin212 acres
2.7 miles away
Nord Lake
58 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin418 acres
2.8 miles away
Little Pine Lake
60 out of 100 Lake ScoreAitkin · Aitkin226 acres
2.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hanging Kettle Lake?
Hanging Kettle Lake is in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin. It covers 318 acres and reaches 35 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Hanging Kettle Lake?
Hanging Kettle Lake covers 318 acres with about 3.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 35 feet and its average depth is about 16 feet.
What fish can you catch at Hanging Kettle Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Rock Bass and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Hanging Kettle Lake?
Yes. Hanging Kettle Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Hanging Kettle Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Hanging Kettle Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Hanging Kettle Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Hanging Kettle Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Hanging Kettle Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 16, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 13, 2024 and the latest is May 3, 2018.