Skelly

Itasca County

Near Days High Landing

DOW: 31073600

Northern PikeGood · 66BluegillAverage · 29Yellow PerchPoor · 20

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

Fish Species (6)

Northern Pike

Good · 66

Typical numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

1.23 lbs

Catch rate: 8.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	8.00	-	1.23 lbs	Standard gill nets

Bluegill

Average · 29

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 5.8 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	5.75	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 1, 1982	2.33	-	0.14 lbs	Standard gill nets

Yellow Perch

Poor · 20

Below-normal numbers

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.27 lbs

Catch rate: 1.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	1.00	-	0.27 lbs	Standard gill nets

Pumpkinseed

Poor · 11

Below-normal numbers

Trap-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.30 lbs

Catch rate: 0.25 per trap net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	0.25	-	0.30 lbs	Standard trap nets
Sep 1, 1982	0.33	-	0.40 lbs	Standard gill nets

Other species in this lake (2)

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

Black Bullhead

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.38 lbs

Catch rate: 9.7 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	9.67	-	0.38 lbs	Standard gill nets

Brown Bullhead

Insufficient

Gill-net survey · surveyed Sep 1982

Last surveyed 1982 — treat with caution

Avg Weight

0.55 lbs

Catch rate: 2.0 per gill net

Survey History

Date	Catch Rate	Avg Length	Avg Weight	Gear
Sep 1, 1982	2.00	-	0.55 lbs	Standard gill nets

See the best northern pike 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).

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").

Bullhead

100

Biologist Notes

September 1, 1982Bullhead & northern pike populations are at fairly high levels. Perch and panfish abundance is below local medians.

Bullhead & northern pike populations are at fairly high levels. Perch and panfish abundance is below local medians.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish can you catch in Skelly?

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Northern Pike, Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and Pumpkinseed in Skelly. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

Is there public access at Skelly?

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

How deep is Skelly?

Skelly has a maximum depth of 35 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

When were the main sport fish in Skelly last surveyed?

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Skelly is from 1982. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Does Skelly have any invasive species?

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

Are there special fishing regulations on Skelly?

No — Skelly has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.