Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake

View in the App
Size
11,473ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Pelican Lake
Perch
Perch
Walleye
Walleye
Crappie
Crappie
Northern pike
Northern pike
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Rock bass
Rock bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge

Overview

Pelican Lake Map

Fishing Regulations

Special Fishing regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.

  • Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: All from 14-20” must be immediately released. One over 20” allowed in possession.

Features

Pelican Lake is a significant northern Minnesota fishing and tourist destination. It is famous for bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike fishing and is one of the state's most popular ice-fishing lakes.A volunteer catch-and-release program is sponsored by the Orr-Pelican Lake Resort Association and the Department of Natural Resources. The program encourages the release of large fish. Additionally, the state has imposed innovative slot-size limits for northern pike and bass to improve size structure on pike and to maintain the existing quality of largemouth. This will also increase the availability of trophy fish. Be sure to check local regulations.

Forage

Yellow perch and a variety of minnow species are important. Additionally, white sucker and juvenile panfish add to the excellent forage base div-ersity. Rusty crayfish are present.

Seasonal Movements

During the spring, most fish in Pelican Lake look for newly developing weed growth and the warmest water temperatures. On Pelican Lake that could be anywhere. Emergent vegetation along the shoreline and creek inlets will attract a lot of spawning fish.
Waterbody poster background

logo

Get Your Line in the Right Water

Quickly find the best places to fish and plan your day right.

Start 7-Day Free Trial
Buy onX Fish Midwest

Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
2.2778
0Statewide Range74.0278

Pelican Lake Bluegill abundance

Average range for similar lakes

Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20169
Crappie
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.2222
0Statewide Range10.4166

Pelican Lake Crappie abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Largemouth bass
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
42.9446
0Statewide Range68.57928

Pelican Lake Largemouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Northern pike
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
15.4167
0Statewide Range19.75

Pelican Lake Northern pike abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Perch
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
14.9167
0Statewide Range43.5833

Pelican Lake Perch abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202212
201612
View in the App
Pumpkinseed
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.6667
0Statewide Range8.4166

Pelican Lake Pumpkinseed abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Rock bass
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.4444
0Statewide Range4.2223

Pelican Lake Rock bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Smallmouth bass
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
19.4926
0Statewide Range72.1895

Pelican Lake Smallmouth bass abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201619
View in the App
Walleye
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.75
0Statewide Range16.9168

Pelican Lake Walleye abundance

Average range for similar lakes

View in the App
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Jul
2022
Jun
View in the App
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202229
201628
View in the App

Nearby Lakes

waterbodys

Gabrielson Lake

Size: 15 acres

Fish Species: 7

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Swan Lake

Size: 85 acres

Fish Species: 6

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Rabbit Lake

Size: 3 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Wilbur Luoma Pond

Size: 28 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

waterbodys

Moose Lake

Size: 923 acres

Fish Species: 8

Boat Launch: Yes

waterbodys

Rice Lake

Size: 156 acres

Fish Species: NA

Boat Launch: No

Lost River

Size: NA

Fish Species: 2

Boat Launch: No