Kelly Lake
Rice County, MinnesotaMesotrophic
Kelly Lake carries a solid B grade — strong on most parameters, with measurements that hold up well across the summer season. Sub-grades cluster within a single letter of each other, which usually means the lake is in stable trophic balance rather than fighting one specific stressor.
The lake sits in the mesotrophic zone — the band where most well-managed Minnesota lakes fall. The lake's maximum depth is not yet documented in state morphometric records — context for its physical structure remains limited. The lake's surface area is not consistently recorded across state datasets — physical context remains partial. Kelly Lake ranks 1 of 12 in Rice County, putting it in the upper tier of locally monitored lakes.
No invasive species are currently listed at Kelly Lake — the lake remains off the Minnesota infested-waters roster. The state fisheries records do not list documented species for Kelly Lake, which usually reflects a lack of formal fisheries survey work rather than an empty lake. A documented public access point at Kelly Lake makes the lake usable for shore fishing, paddle craft, and trailered boats. The lake has a partial ice record — 13 observed ice-outs, centered near Mar 29. The grade is based on limited monitoring — fewer than three independent measurement years contribute, so future updates may shift the letter.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Minnesota DNR LakeFinder, last sampled 2023-08-29. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Swimming Safety
Good for swimming, clear water with low algae levels
Water Quality Grade: B, Good
Moderate clarity, visible to about 8.2 ft. Phosphorus level: 29 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 50.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 8.2 ft | C |
| Phosphorus | 29 µg/L | B |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 50 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Water Quality Trend: ↓ Declining
Based on 2 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phosphorus | ↓ Declining | +4.5 µg/L/yr | 2 |
Ice Season
Historical ice data from Minnesota DNR (22 observations).
Estimated open water season: 248 days
| Earliest | Latest | |
|---|---|---|
| Ice-Out | 2024-03-01 (2024) | 2018-04-29 (2018) |
| Ice-In | 2022-11-20 (2022) | 2015-12-19 (2015) |
Most recent ice-out: 2026-03-26
Location
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 12 lakes in Rice County
Nearby Lakes in Rice County
More Minnesota Lake Rankings
State Parks Near Kelly Lake
Other Grade B Lakes in Minnesota
Mesotrophic Lakes in Minnesota
DNR Reports & Resources
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder publishes lake survey, fish stocking, water access, and aquatic plant data for Kelly Lake. 2 reports on file.
- —Aquatic Plant Report — Kelly (1387)Aquatic Plant Report · MN DNR LakeFinder
- —Public Water Access Sites — KellyPublic Water Access Sites · MN DNR LakeFinder
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Ice data from Minnesota DNR Climate
Most recent sample: 2023-08-29
Monitoring stations: 1