Pelican

A targeted survey of nearshore fish species in Pelican Lake was conducted beginning on July 21, 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 24 sampling stations. Similarly, a 50-foot seine was used to sample 15 stations, and a 15-foot seine was used at three stations. Six stations were electrofished from the boat and not seined due to dense vegetation and soft substrate. Nearshore sampling captured 24 species of fish including five species that are intolerant of disturbance (i.e., Banded Killifish, Blackchin Shiner, Iowa Darter, Logperch, and Pugnose Shiner) and three that are tolerant of disturbance (i.e., Black Bullhead, Fathead Minnow, and Green Sunfish). The nearshore survey data were combined with a trap net and gill net data from a survey conducted during the week of June 23, 2025 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, Iowa Darter, and Smallmouth 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 Pelican Lake is healthy as indicated by an FIBI score above the impairment threshold for aquatic life use determined for similar lakes. The FIBI results are similar to previous findings, which indicated that Pelican Lake is fully supporting aquatic life use. The survey results will be considered when the biological health of the lake is assessed during the Pomme De Terre River Watershed assessment process, which will be completed in coordination with MN Pollution Control Agency. You can help protect the fish community in Pelican Lake by reducing runoff, maintaining natural shorelines, and preventing the spread of invasive species.

Pelican Lake is a large, relatively shallow, and highly productive basin located south of Ashby in Grant County. Surface area is estimated at 3,760 acres. Mean and maximum depths are 10 and 21 feet, respectively. Pelican Lake is located within the Pomme de Terre River watershed. Residential development is minimal and most of the immediate watershed is in agricultural production. Water quality is seasonally impaired due to high nutrient levels. Water clarity measurements are typically between 2 and 4 feet, but water clarity can be greatly reduced during summer algal blooms. A public access with limited parking is available on the west shoreline off State Highway 78. Boaters should be aware of multiple shallow rock areas found throughout the lake. These areas are posted with caution buoys. Anglers should also be aware of fish consumption guidelines for bullhead and crappie due to mercury contaminants. For more information regarding mercury contaminants in fish see the following: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/fish/faq.html A standard MN DNR lake survey was completed in 2025 to assess the fish community of Pelican Lake. Walleye abundance has increased substantially in recent years. In fact, the 2025 catch rate (13.4/gill net) was the highest catch rate documented in standardized surveys dating back to 1993. High abundance is due to consistent recruitment of young fish in recent years. Consecutive strong year classes were produced in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and these year classes comprised approximately 84% of the gill net sample. Abundance of younger, smaller fish resulted in a small average size of 13.2 inches and 1.1 pounds. Walleye grow rapidly in this productive basin and typically reach 15 inches after three growing seasons. This population is sustained through natural reproduction, but supplemental fry stockings occur on an alternate year basis. The Northern Pike population tends to exhibit lower abundance and moderate size structure. In 2025, mean size was 22.6 inches and 2.6 pounds and the largest pike sampled measured 33.5 inches. Anglers are reminded that new pike zone regulations were implemented in 2018. Pelican Lake is located in the North-central Zone. Anglers can now keep up to 10 pike but not more than two can be over 26 inches in length. All pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Yellow Perch abundance has decreased since the last standard survey. Smaller fish continue to dominate this population and very few harvestable-sized perch are available. Both Black and White Crappie are present in Pelican Lake and both populations are currently dominated by smaller fish. Mean length of Black and White Crappie collected in trap nets was just 6.0 and 5.6 inches, respectively. Black Crappie are more abundant and attain larger sizes. The largest Black Crappie sampled measured almost 14.5 inches. Crappie fishing should improve in the near future as these small fish grow into sizes desired by anglers. Bluegill also offer abundant panfishing opportunities, but size structure of this population tends to be skewed towards small- to medium-sized fish. Average length was just 4.9 inches and only five Bluegill exceeding 8 inches were sampled. Extremely low water levels during our spring Largemouth Bass electrofishing survey negatively affected our ability to accurately sample this population. Recent previous surveys suggest that this population tends to exhibit higher abundance with a size structure dominated by smaller fish. However, larger bass are not uncommon as multiple fish exceeding 18 inches were collected in trap nets in 2025. Smallmouth Bass are also present in Pelican Lake. Two large individuals, both exceeding 20 inches, were sampled in 2025, representing the first time this species has been documented in this lake. Other species sampled during the 2025 survey included Bigmouth Buffalo, Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Common Carp, Golden Shiner, Green Sunfish, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, and White Sucker. The next standard lake survey is tentatively scheduled for 2029.

A targeted gill net survey was conducted during early summer 2024 to assess Walleye and Yellow Perch populations. Data from this survey will help inform decisions regarding potential management of double-crested cormorants on this basin. Walleye relative abundance was 6.2 fish/gill net, which was lower than 2023 targeted survey results (7.5 fish/gill net). Current abundance is slightly below levels expected for this type of lake. Size structure has also declined since the 2023 survey as smaller, younger fish now comprise the majority of the population (over 65% of the sample was age 2 or younger). Mean size was 15.1 inches and 1.6 pounds. Thirteen year classes were sampled with maximum age extending to age 16. Yellow Perch abundance continues to decline. Gill net catches averaged 1.8 fish/net. Comparative values in 2021 and 2023 were 10.5 and 3.3 fish/net, respectively. Other population attributes were similar to those documented in previous surveys. Size structure was dominated by smaller perch, growth was relatively fast, and only three year classes (ages 2-4) were sampled.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, and Smallmouth Bass in Pelican. See the full species list above for catch rates, size structure, and quality scores.

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

Pelican has a maximum depth of 21 feet and a mean depth of 10 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

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

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