Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake

Size
11473ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Pelican Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Rock bass
Rock bass
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye

Pelican Lake Overview

Fishing Regulations in Pelican Lake

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.

Pelican Lake 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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-8 in
Length Range
5 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
2.28
0Statewide Range74.63

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
Crappie
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
3.22
0Statewide Range10.56

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
Largemouth bass
fish
7-19 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
42.94
0Statewide Range133.44

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
Muskellunge
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey 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
9-29 in
Length Range
20 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
15.42
0Statewide Range19.6

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
Perch
fish
5-13 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
High
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
14.92
0Statewide Range43.55

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
Pumpkinseed
fish
2-8 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Below Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.67
0Statewide Range8.58

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
Rock bass
fish
5-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
0.44
0Statewide Range4.26

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
Smallmouth bass
fish
7-18 in
Length Range
13 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Low
2022
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
19.49
0Statewide Range80.92

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
Walleye
fish
12-30 in
Length Range
17 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Above Avg.
2022
Surveyed
Gillnet
Catch Method
6.75
0Statewide Range16.93

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
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized walleye based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202229
201628