Minnesota · DNR survey data

Hanging Kettle Lake

Hanging Kettle Lake covers 318 acres in Aitkin County, running to 35 feet, last surveyed by the DNR in 2025. The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for this lake, so there is no depth map here, just the survey record: what the nets held and how big it ran.

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DNR survey data

Fish species

Species
How many
Survey numbers
Lengths
WalleyeStocked · 2025
Fair numbers
1.2per gill net
Typical
23"Biggest
Largemouth bass
Fair numbers
24per hr (electrofishing)
Typical
17"Biggest
Smallmouth bass
Present
0.2per gill net
Typical
14"Biggest
Northern pike
Good numbers
11.2per gill net
20"Typical
36"Biggest
12"36"

Lengths measured · 78 fish

Recent · 2023 + 2025
12"15"20"25"30"35"36"

Lengths measured · 6 fish

2025
12"15"20"25"30"35"36"

Only 6 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 72 fish

2023
12"15"20"25"30"35"36"

Lengths measured · 72 fish

2019
12"15"20"25"30"35"36"

Lengths measured · 73 fish

2013
12"15"20"25"30"35"36"
Bluegill
Just a few
8.9per trap net
5"Typical
8"Biggest
2"8"

Lengths measured · 173 fish

Recent · 2023 + 2025
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 27 fish

2025
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 146 fish

2023
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 159 fish

2019
2"4"6"8"9"

Lengths measured · 272 fish

2013
2"4"6"8"9"
Crappie
Just a few
0.9per trap net
7"Typical
10"Biggest
4"10"

Lengths measured · 57 fish

Recent · 2023 + 2025
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 2 fish

2025
4"6"8"10"

Only 2 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.

Lengths measured · 55 fish

2023
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 58 fish

2019
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 56 fish

2013
4"6"8"10"
Yellow perch
Fair numbers
2.7per gill net
5"Typical
10"Biggest
5"10"

Lengths measured · 17 fish

Recent · 2023
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 17 fish

2023
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 18 fish

2019
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 79 fish

2013
4"6"8"10"

Lengths measured · 30 fish

2011
4"6"8"10"
Rock bass
Good numbers
0.5per seine haul
Typical
7"Biggest

Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear — which is why the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, the page shows presence and size only. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey. You can read every number on this page without an app or an account.

DNR stocking records

Stocking history

YearSpeciesStocked
2025Walleye71,000 fry
2024Walleye71,000 fry
2023Walleye71,000 fry
2022Walleye71,000 fry
2021Walleye71,000 fry
2019Walleye71,000 fry
2018Walleye71,000 fry
2017Walleye71,000 fry
2016Walleye71,000 fry

Recent reports

Hanging Kettle Lake fishing reports

Recent reports on Hanging Kettle Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.

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Aitkin County reports

Public water access

Getting on the water

Within 30 miles

Nearby lakes

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is there a depth map for Hanging Kettle Lake?

The Minnesota DNR has not published bathymetry for Hanging Kettle Lake, so this page carries the survey record instead: species, catch rates and stocking history.

What fish are in Hanging Kettle Lake?

The most recent DNR survey (2025) recorded walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.

Does Hanging Kettle Lake have a public access?

Yes. Hanging Kettle Lake has one public access site: Hanging Kettle Lake (trailer launch).

Is Hanging Kettle Lake stocked?

Yes. The DNR stocked walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.

When was Hanging Kettle Lake last surveyed?

The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Hanging Kettle Lake in 2025, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.

Survey numbers are the Minnesota DNR's. How this site reads them →

Page updated .