Kelly

Cook County

Near Tofte

DOW: 16047600

WalleyeGood · 72Yellow PerchGood · 59Smallmouth BassGood · 50

A 173-acre lake near Tofte in Cook County — best known for walleye and panfish. Last surveyed 1997.

Fish Species (5)

Walleye

Good · 72

Typical numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

16.9"

Avg Weight

2.11 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per gill net · typical 1.3–5 for a lake like this

Size of catchable walleye67% keeper-size (15"+)

10–14" · 33%Largest sampled 29"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 25, 1997	3.00	16.9"	2.11 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Good · 59

Below-normal numbers · large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

8.1"

Avg Weight

0.41 lbs

Catch rate: 1.8 per gill net · typical 2–16 for a lake like this

Size of catchable yellow perch45% keeper-size (9"+)

5–8" · 55%Largest sampled 11"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 25, 1997	1.83	8.1"	0.41 lbs	Standard gill nets

Smallmouth Bass

Good · 50

Large fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

13.8"

Avg Weight

1.90 lbs

Catch rate: 0.83 per gill net · typical 0.8–2.8 for a lake like this

Size of catchable smallmouth bass80% keeper-size (12"+)

7–11" · 20%Largest sampled 16"

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 25, 1997	0.83	13.8"	1.90 lbs	Standard gill nets

Green Sunfish

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1997

Last surveyed 1997 — treat with caution

Avg Size

3.7"

Avg Weight

0.07 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per gill net · typical 8.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 25, 1997	0.50	3.7"	0.07 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (1)

Rough fish, bullheads, and baitfish recorded in DNR surveys — present in the lake, but not typical angling targets.

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 25, 1997	9.67	17.0"	2.20 lbs	Standard gill nets

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Walleye and Sauger

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20"

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: Mar 1, 2026 – May 8, 2026

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

Catch-and-release only

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

Largemouth and smallmouth bass in the Northeast zone, north and east of US Hwy 53 from Duluth to International Falls and Pelican and Ash lakes in St. Louis County.

6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Bowfin, buffalo, carp, carpsuckers, freshwater drum, goldeneye, redhorse, and suckers

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 25, 1997Kelly Lake has good numbers and a stable, reproducing population of walleye with a catch rate of 3.0 fish/gill net during the 1971 survey, the 1979 as…

Kelly Lake has good numbers and a stable, reproducing population of walleye with a catch rate of 3.0 fish/gill net during the 1971 survey, the 1979 assessment, and the 1997 survey. Most year classes were present and walleye up to 29 inches were caught during this survey. Northern pike were not caught during this survey, yet good numbers were caught in 1971 and 1979.Green sunfish and smallmouth bass were caught during this survey, but were not caught during the 1971 survey or 1979 assessment. It appears that smallmouth bass have become well established in Kelly Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Kelly?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Smallmouth Bass in Kelly. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Kelly?

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Kelly. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

How deep is Kelly?

Kelly has a maximum depth of 13 feet and a mean depth of 4 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Kelly last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Kelly is from 1997. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Kelly have any invasive species?

No invasive species are on record for Kelly in Minnesota DNR data. Always clean, drain, and dry your equipment to help keep it that way.

Are there special fishing regulations on Kelly?

No — Kelly has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide walleye and sauger limit is: 6 combined, not more than one walleye over 20". Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.