Kelly

Itasca County

Near Bigfork

DOW: 31029900

Black CrappieGood · 56PumpkinseedAverage · 47BluegillAverage · 45

A 70-acre lake near Bigfork in Itasca County — best known for panfish and pike. Last surveyed 1982.

Fish Species (7)

Black Crappie

Good · 56

Above-normal numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.14 lbs

Catch rate: 6.3 per gill net · typical 0.5–4.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	6.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1982	0.75	-	0.27 lbs	Standard trap nets

Pumpkinseed

Average · 47

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 3.0 per trap net · typical 1.1–4.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	4.00	-	0.08 lbs	Standard gill nets
Aug 13, 1982	3.00	-	0.09 lbs	Standard trap nets

Bluegill

Average · 45

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.10 lbs

Catch rate: 17.3 per trap net · typical 7.9–37.7 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	17.25	-	0.10 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1982	2.67	-	0.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Northern Pike

Average · 44

Below-normal numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.10 lbs

Catch rate: 1.7 per gill net · typical 2–8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	1.67	-	2.10 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Average · 43

Typical numbers · small fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.09 lbs

Catch rate: 5.3 per gill net · typical 1.5–18.5 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	3.00	-	0.11 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1982	5.33	-	0.09 lbs	Standard gill nets

Rock Bass

Average · 35

Typical numbers · small fish

Trap-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.5 per trap net · typical 0.5–1.8 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	0.50	-	0.15 lbs	Standard trap nets
Aug 13, 1982	0.67	-	0.45 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.

White Sucker

Good · 59

Typical numbers · average-size fish

Gill-net survey · surveyed Aug 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

2.15 lbs

Catch rate: 0.67 per gill net · typical 0.3–1.1 for a lake like this

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Aug 13, 1982	0.67	-	2.15 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best black crappie lakes in Minnesota

Fishing Regulations

Statewide limits

Standard statewide Minnesota limits for the species in this lake.

Northern Pike

Season: May 9, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Angling: 10 (not more than 2 over 26". All from 22-26" must be immediatley released).

Crappie

10 combined total

Sunfish

20 combined total

Perch

20 daily and 40 in possession

More statewide rules (spearing, rough fish)

Northern Pike

Season: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027

North-central zone

Darkhouse spearing: 10 (only 1 between 22-26" and 1 over 26"; or, only 2 over 26").

Rock Bass

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

no limit

Biologist Notes

August 13, 1982Abundance of perch and northern pike is slightly below local catch medians. Bluegill abundance is moderately higher than local medians while the numbe…

Abundance of perch and northern pike is slightly below local catch medians. Bluegill abundance is moderately higher than local medians while the numbers of other fish seem to be within normal limits for this lake. Natural reproduction for all fish except northern pike appears adequate for population maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Kelly?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Black Crappie, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch 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 39 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 1982. 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 crappie limit is: 10 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.