Hanging Kettle

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hanging Kettle Lake was conducted on July 16-17, 2025, by Lake Biological Monitoring and Assessment (LBMA) program staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake, and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at ten sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample five stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at three stations. Two stations were not seined due to dense vegetation and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured twenty species of fish, including four species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass) and none that are tolerant of disturbance. A summer trap net survey was also conducted on June 16-17, 2025, by LBMA program staff. Nine trap nets were set along the shoreline in locations that encompassed multiple habitat types. Trap net sampling captured ten species of fish, including two that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Greater Redhorse and Rock Bass). Bluegill and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority of the catch by number, whereas Bowfin and Yellow Bullhead comprised a majority by biomass. The nearshore and trap net were combined with gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a fish-based index of biological integrity (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, and Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Green Sunfish and Common Carp). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Results from this survey provide evidence that the fish community in Hanging Kettle Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score that is just above the exceptional use threshold determined for similar lakes. These results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Hanging Kettle Lake is fully supporting aquatic life. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Mississippi River - Brainerd Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Hanging Kettle Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Hanging Kettle Lake was conducted on June 29, 2023 by Aitkin Area Fisheries staff. Sampling sites were evenly spaced around the lake and each was sampled by backpack electrofishing and seining with a 50-foot or 15-foot seine, where possible. Backpack electrofishing was completed at all ten sampling stations, but four stations were sampled from the boat due to site conditions. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample two stations, a 15-foot seine was used at four stations, and site conditions prevented the use of seines at four station. Nearshore sampling captured 19 species of fish including 4 species that were intolerant of disturbance (ie., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass) and none that were tolerant of disturbance. The nearshore data were combined with trap net and gill net data from a June 2023 survey to describe the fish community and provide a Fish-based IBI (FIBI) score. The FIBI uses fish community data to measure a lake's health, and the types of fish species present can help identify any stressors that may be negatively affecting the lake environment. In Minnesota lakes, certain fish species cannot survive without clean water and a healthy habitat (e.g., Blackchin Shiner, Blacknose Shiner, Iowa Darter, Rock Bass), while other species are tolerant of degraded conditions (e.g., Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Green sunfish). The FIBI score, composed of several fish community diversity and composition metrics, indicates the overall health of a lake by comparing it to what is expected for a healthy lake. For additional information on the FIBI, search for "lake index of biological integrity" on the mndnr.gov website. Data from this survey indicates Hanging Kettle Lake is healthy as indicated by an exceptionally high FIBI score, well above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. Data from this survey will contribute biological information about the health of the fish community to Mississippi River (Brainerd) Watershed assessment process in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency.

Hanging Kettle Lake is a 300-acre lake located 5 miles south of the city of Aitkin and is the most downstream member of the Ripple River chain of lakes. The close proximity to town and ease of access makes Hanging Kettle a popular destination for anglers during both summer and winter angling periods. There is a public access with a concrete log ramp on the west side of the lake. Small boats are able to navigate at normal water levels upstream to Diamond Lake, while canoes and similar craft can also travel downstream approximately ten river miles to the Mississippi River. The water at Hanging Kettle is typically brown tannin stained and has a Secchi depth of about 8 ft during the period of our survey (late June). Hanging Kettle is primarily managed for panfish and secondarily for Northern Pike and Walleye. Walleye fingerlings had been stocked regularly and with limited success since 1986. In spite of this aggressive stocking regime the Walleye population plummeted. This lack of success of fingerling stocking prompted a change to fry stocking in 2015. While still too soon to determine success, Walleye were once again observed in Hanging Kettle in the last two surveys. In 2023, 1.2 walleye/gill net were caught in the standard survey, compared with 0.7 per net in 2019 and zero in the 2013 survey. While not a big jump in numbers, there was some survival of multiple year classes. There was a mix of sizes from 15.5 to 22.4 inches, and they ranged in age from 4-9 years old, with 5 year classes observed. Similar lakes typically support a low-density Walleye population, and with fry stocking appearing to show some success, we will continue to stock fry into this popular lake and continue to monitor changes. In addition to the fry stocking, there is also some movement of fish from the up-river lakes and from downstream that may also contribute to the population of Walleye. Anglers at Hanging Kettle often focus their efforts on panfish species. Black Crappie continue to be abundant but on the smaller side, as they have throughout the history of fisheries surveys on Hanging Kettle. Only one Crappie greater than 10 inches was captured during this survey, although it is possible there are some larger fish given their abundance and longevity. For the third survey in a row, fish up to ten years old were captured, several year classes were identified indicating consistent annual recruitment and growth analysis suggested they grow slower than what is typical for the Aitkin area. Bluegill abundance decreased from the previous survey but were captured within the expected range for this type of lake. While there were some Bluegills over 8 inches in the survey, they were not to the level expected given their relative fast growth rates for the area. The lack of larger individuals of both of these species suggests that angler harvest may be one reason the panfish are not reaching their maximum attainable size. Selective harvest is encouraged to preserve or enhance the quality of these valuable resources. Northern Pike abundance is above the expected range for similar lakes. Size was up a bit from 2019 with an average of 21.1 inches and 2.1 pounds, with 12 percent of pike greater than 26". Yellow Perch, an important forage species, was similar in abundance to the 2019 survey, which was slightly below what might be expected for this lake type. Another prey species, White Sucker was also captured in typical numbers for this type of lake. Both species provide forage for this top predator. Larger pike play an important role in regulating survival and growth of various species. Anglers should consider releasing larger fish to help protect the vital function these fish provide and to maximize the sporting benefit for multiple anglers by recycling these quality fish. Maintaining habitat is important for both fish and wildlife resources. In addition to maintaining a good aquatic vegetation community, coarse woody habitat such as fallen trees and branches offer additional habitat that should be left in place for the benefit of most fish species in Hanging Kettle Lake. While it can be inconvenient when a tree falls into one's dock or swimming area, consider moving it to an area along your shoreline that is clear of your activity, rather than removing it from the lake. Benefits of good habitat stewardship are often rewarded with good fishing.

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

Minnesota DNR records list public access for Hanging Kettle. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for the launch type and directions before you go.

Hanging Kettle has a maximum depth of 35 feet and a mean depth of 16 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Hanging Kettle is from 2025.

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