Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake

Size
8,419ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Pelican Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Crappie
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Rock bass
Rock bass
Perch
Perch

Overview

Near Nisswa, MN, this deep, clear water features plenty of structure and numerous walleye. Consistent producer year-round. Work the shallow bays for early season largemouth and crappie.

Pelican Lake Map

Forage

Cisco (tullibee), perch, sucker and a variety of minnows comprise the forage base.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
3.9333
0Statewide Range19.6668

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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20169
Crappie
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.2667
0Statewide Range12.6668

Pelican Lake Crappie 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202415
Largemouth bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.4
0Statewide Range3.6668

Pelican Lake Largemouth bass 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Northern pike
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
5.1333
0Statewide Range19.75

Pelican Lake Northern pike 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Perch
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
1.9333
0Statewide Range43.5833

Pelican Lake Perch 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Pumpkinseed
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.0667
0Statewide Range6.1668

Pelican Lake Pumpkinseed 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Rock bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
2.4667
0Statewide Range6.5668

Pelican Lake Rock bass 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Smallmouth bass
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
0.2
0Statewide Range3.4167

Pelican Lake Smallmouth bass 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
2020
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized smallmouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202019
Walleye
fish
3-9 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2020
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
4.6
0Statewide Range16.9168

Pelican Lake Walleye 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
2014
Aug
2020
Aug
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202328
201729