Kelly Lake
About Kelly Lake
Kelly Lake is a 173-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County, Minnesota. It reaches 13 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 4 feet, and has roughly 7.3 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6.5 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 1997.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 8 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Kelly Lake
- 173 acres, up to 13 feet deep, near Tofte
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch
- Average water clarity around 6.5 feet
- Camping close to the water
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 173 acres
- Max depth
- 13 ft
- Average depth
- 4 ft
- Shoreline
- 7.3 mi
- Water clarity
- 6.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 173 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 carry-in access
- Camping (8 mapped)
Best For
- Lakeside camping
- Quiet paddling
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 1997
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Camping & Reservations
8 campgrounds are mapped on or near Kelly Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Kelly Lake
Compare Kelly Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
See how Kelly Lake ranks among fishing lakes nearby.
See how Kelly Lake ranks among camping lakes nearby.
See how Kelly Lake ranks among paddling lakes nearby.
See how Kelly Lake ranks among ice fishing lakes nearby.
Nearby Lakes
Burnt Lake
34 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen358 acres
1.2 miles away
Jack Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen113 acres
1.9 miles away
Moore Lake
26 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Lutsen61 acres
2.9 miles away
Marsh
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte66 acres
3 miles away
Sawbill Lake
64 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Tofte834 acres
3.2 miles away
Bouder Lake
48 out of 100 Lake ScoreCook · Grand Marais129 acres
3.7 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kelly Lake?
Kelly Lake is in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte. It covers 173 acres and reaches 13 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Kelly Lake?
Kelly Lake covers 173 acres with about 7.3 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 13 feet and its average depth is about 4 feet.
What fish can you catch at Kelly Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Kelly Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Kelly Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Kelly 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 Kelly Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Kelly Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Kelly Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.