---
type: lake
name: "Kelly Lake"
county: "Cook"
nearest_town: "Tofte"
lake_type: "lake"
acres: 173
max_depth_ft: 13
latitude: 47.87408
longitude: -90.81064
lake_score: 39
dnr_lake_id: "16047600"
url: https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/kelly-lake
---

# Kelly Lake

Lake in Cook County, Minnesota, near Tofte

- **Surface Area**: 173 acres
- **Max Depth**: 13 ft
- **Average Depth**: 4 ft
- **Shoreline**: 7.3 miles
- **Water Clarity**: 6.5 ft
- **Lake Type**: lake
- **Public Access**: Carry-in access only
- **Lake Score**: 39/100 (composite of public data, not a visitor rating)

## About

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.

## Access

- **Public access**: Carry-in access only
- **Managed by**: US Forest Service
- **Launch fee**: Free at DNR public water accesses

## Fishing

- **Species on DNR survey**: 5
- **Stocked**: No
- **Last DNR survey**: 1997
- **Special regulations**: No
- **Ice fishing**: Yes

## Activities

Fishing, Ice Fishing, Paddling, Camping

## Amenities

Carry-In Access, Campground

## Fish Species

Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Green Sunfish, White Sucker

## Nearby Lakes

- [Burnt Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/burnt-lake) - 1.2 miles, 358 acres
- [Jack Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/jack-lake) - 1.9 miles, 113 acres
- [Moore Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/moore-lake) - 2.9 miles, 61 acres
- [Marsh](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/marsh) - 3 miles, 66 acres
- [Sawbill Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/sawbill-lake) - 3.2 miles, 834 acres
- [Bouder Lake](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/bouder-lake) - 3.7 miles, 129 acres

## Links

- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=47.87408,-90.81064)
- [Minnesota DNR LakeFinder](https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/lake.html?id=16047600)
- [All lakes in Cook County](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county)

---
*Source: [MinneLakes.org](https://www.minnelakes.org/lakes/cook-county/kelly-lake)*