Kelsey Lake
About Kelsey Lake
Kelsey Lake is a 134-acre lake near Buyck in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 22 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.4 miles of shoreline.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 4 fish species here, including northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2002.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch. 6 campgrounds are mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays.
Plan Your Visit to Kelsey Lake
- 134 acres, up to 22 feet deep, near Buyck
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: northern pike, pumpkinseed, and yellow perch
- 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
- 134 acres
- Max depth
- 22 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.4 mi
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 80 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 (6 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
- 4
- Game fish
- 3
- Stocked
- No
- Last DNR survey
- 2002
- 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
6 campgrounds are mapped on or near Kelsey 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 Kelsey Lake
Compare Kelsey Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
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Nearby Lakes
Toe Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Buyck169 acres
1 miles away
Ge-Be-On-Equat Lake
53 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake660 acres
4.1 miles away
Green Lake
31 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake160 acres
4.1 miles away
Rocky Lake
32 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake120 acres
4.5 miles away
Pocket Lake
33 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake241 acres
4.9 miles away
Lake Agnes
55 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Crane Lake1,045 acres
5 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kelsey Lake?
Kelsey Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Buyck. It covers 134 acres and reaches 22 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Kelsey Lake?
Kelsey Lake covers 134 acres with about 2.4 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 22 feet.
What fish can you catch at Kelsey Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Kelsey Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Kelsey Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Kelsey 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 Kelsey Lake stocked?
The DNR has no stocking report on file for Kelsey Lake; its fishery is sustained by natural reproduction or has not been stocked recently.
Can you camp at Kelsey Lake?
Yes. A campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.