---
type: lake
name: "Hanging Kettle Lake"
county: "Aitkin"
nearest_town: "Aitkin"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 318
max_depth_ft: 35
latitude: 46.47229
longitude: -93.70365
lake_score: 57
dnr_lake_id: "01017000"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hanging-kettle-lake
---

# Hanging Kettle Lake

Lake in Aitkin County, Minnesota, near Aitkin

- **Surface Area**: 318 acres
- **Max Depth**: 35 ft
- **Average Depth**: 16 ft
- **Shoreline**: 3.8 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 8 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Lake Score**: 57/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- **Managed by**: Minnesota DNR
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 18
- **Stocked**: Yes
- **Last DNR survey**: 2025
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Boating, Paddling

## Amenities

Boat Ramp

## Fish Species

Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Black Bullhead, Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Greater Redhorse, Hybrid Sunfish, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, White Sucker, Yellow Bullhead

## Ice-Out

- **Median ice-out**: April 16
- **Years of record**: 18
- **Earliest**: 2024-03-13
- **Latest**: 2018-05-03

## Nearby Lakes

- [Ripple Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/ripple-lake) - 1.7 miles, 630 acres
- [Hammal Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hammal-lake) - 2.1 miles, 376 acres
- [Spirit Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/spirit-lake) - 2.1 miles, 523 acres
- [Hickory Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hickory-lake) - 2.7 miles, 212 acres
- [Nord Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/nord-lake) - 2.8 miles, 418 acres
- [Little Pine Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/little-pine-lake) - 2.9 miles, 226 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=46.47229,-93.70365)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=01017000)
- [All lakes in Aitkin County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/aitkin-county/hanging-kettle-lake)*