Little Pelican

Little Pelican is a 271 acre lake that is located two miles south of Breezy Point in Crow Wing County. A public access is on the southeast corner. Little Pelican reaches depths of 34 feet, with 76% of the lake 15 feet deep or less. Dense vegetation, primarily comprised of water lilies, cover large areas of the lake. Water clarity measured during the 2025 survey was excellent, with a Secchi depth of 20 feet. A standard survey using gill nets and trap nets along with spring electrofishing was conducted in 2025 to assess fish populations and provide angler information. Anglers looking to get a meal of Bluegills should be able to accomplish that on Little Pelican, while those looking for trophy fish should look elsewhere. The Bluegill trap net catch was below average for the lake. Fish ranged in length from 3.9 to 8.5 inches with an average of 6.8 inches. Bluegill at least 7 inches in length made up 51% of the sample. Black Crappies were sampled in below average numbers in trap nets and in gill nets. Fish ran on the small side and ranged in length from 4.6 to 10.1 inches with 22% at least 8 inches in length. Only one fish over 10 inches was sampled. The Northern Pike population is dominated by small fish. Fish ranged in length from 10.8 to 30.1 inches with an average of 17.7 inches. Northern Pike in the 22-26 inch protected slot made up 9% of the catch with 16% at least 26 inches in length. Anglers should consider releasing larger fish to help create a more balanced population. Anglers can expect good Largemouth Bass fishing based on what was caught in the survey. Largemouth Bass were sampled by a spring electrofishing survey, the preferred method for sampling Largemouth Bass, at a rate of 61.7/hr run-time. Fish ranged from 5.0 to 19.4 inches with an average length of 10.9 inches. Approximately 25% of the sample least 12 inches in length. Largemouth Bass, when compared to similar lakes, were sampled in high number in gill nets. Fish ranged from 7.7 to 17.1 inches with an average length of 12.6 inches. Half of the gill net sample was at least 12 inches in length. Walleye are not stocked into Little Pelican by the MNDNR, but Walleye fingerlings were stocked by the lake association in 2021 and 2023. The gill net catch of 1.3/gill net was above average for the lake (0.9/gill net). Fish ranged from 17.3 to 19.5 inches with an average of 18.1 inches. All Walleyes caught in the gill nets from the 2021 stocking. Two additional Walleye were sampled by spring electrofishing and ranged from 12.8-17.3 inches in length. Most anglers don't target Walleye on Little Pelican but may catch one while targeting different species. Other species sampled in the latest survey included Bowfin (Dogfish), Brown Bullhead, Hybrid Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead and Yellow Perch.

Little Pelican Lake is a 283 acre lake located a mile south of Breezy Point in Crow Wing County. There is a public access located in the southeast portion of the lake. The maximum depth is 34 feet with about 73% of the lake being 15 feet deep or less. A variety of sand, gravel, and muck substrates occur in shallow water which helps support a diverse aquatic plant community. Maintaining the lakes aquatic plant composition and abundance has been identified in the management plan as an important long range goal. Aquatic plants help prevent erosion, stabilize bottom sediments, provide spawning habitat, and provide food and shelter for a variety of aquatic organisms. An assessment of the fish population was conducted in 2010 and compared to previous surveys conducted in 1968, 1980, 1986, and 1998. Northern pike are the lakes primary management species and were captured at a rate of 20.7 per gillnet in 2010. This was the highest catch to date, and exceeded the long-range goal for this lake. The size of these fish averaged 17.5" and 1.56 pounds, but fell below the goal of 2.0 pounds. Only 14% of these fish were over 24". This is consistent with previous surveys, suggesting the northern pike population has been stable with large numbers of small fish for many years. Largemouth bass, the lakes secondary management species, were sampled at a rate of 1.6 per trap net in 2010. This catch exceeds typical values for similar lakes, but is within the range of values from previous surveys of this lake. The size of bass captured in all sampling methods ranged from 8.4 to 20.5 inches. Several year classes were sampled, and growth was average. Important panfish species in the lake include black crappie and bluegill. The crappie catch in 2010 was within the typical range for this type of lake and comparable to previous catches on this lake. Several year classes were sampled, and growth was average. The 2010 bluegill catch of 12.9 per trap net decreased from previous surveys. In spite of slow growth, 53% of these fish measured at least 7" though no fish over 8" were sampled. Additional sampling for nearshore fish was also conducted using shoreline seining and backpack electrofishing. Several species of shiners, a few darter species, and other forage species were sampled. A total of 24 fish species were collected in all sampling methods combined during the 2010 survey.

Little Pelican is a 283 acre lake located at Breezy Point in Crow Wing County. There is a public access located on the southeast side of the lake. Development is moderate, with about sixteen homes/cabins per shoreline mile. The lake has a maximum depth of 34 feet and about 73% of the surface area is less than 15 feet deep. Little Pelican has moderately hard water and the phosphorus fertility is in the "low" range. Water clarity was 18 feet in 1998, considered good for this area. Soils in water less than four feet deep are primarily sand, with gravel, rubble sized rock (3-10") and muck also present.The aquatic plant community is fairly diverse and plants grew to a depth of 18 feet in 1998. Healthy aquatic plant communities are important. Emergent species such as bulrush and cattail help regulate nutrient levels and often provide quality spawning habitat for northern pike, bass and panfish species. Submergent plant species provide food sources and cover for a wide variety of aquatic species.Test netting was conducted in 1998. Catches were "average" for most species when compared to similar type lakes. Previous nettings were done in 1968, 1980 and 1986. Northern pike is the primary gamefish present. The catch rate in 1998 was lower than in previous nettings but was "average" when compared to similar type lakes. Most pike were from the 1994-'96 year classes and growth was good. Pike size averaged 20 inches and 1.8 lbs.. Two walleyes were caught, both 21 inches long. In spite of this low catch, it was in the "average" category for both Little Pelican and for similar type lakes. Largemouth bass were also taken in "average" numbers. Three age classes were sampled and growth was good. Bluegill was the most abundant panfish sampled. The '98 catch was lower than in past nettings but was "average" for similar type lakes. Bluegills caught in trapnets ranged from 3.6-7.8 inches long and about 15% were at least 7.0 inches long. The 1992 year class was the strongest of the five sampled and growth was good. Black crappie were also caught in "average" numbers when compared to past nettings and to similar type lakes and had growth that bordered on slow. The strongest year classes sampled were from 1994 and 1996. Yellow perch is an important food source for the lake's gamefish. The '98 catch was 4.3/gill net, typical for the lake and for similar type lakes. A number of age classes were sampled and growth was good. Other species sampled in '98 included bowfin (dogfish), yellow bullhead, brown bullhead, black bullhead, pumpkinseed, rock bass and hybrid sunfish.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Yellow Perch in Little Pelican. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Little Pelican has a maximum depth of 34 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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