Little Pelican

Little Pelican Lake is a 345-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwest Otter Tail County approximately six miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Little Pelican Lake is part of the Pelican River watershed. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northeast shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The Pelican River outlet is navigable to Pelican Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 25 feet; however, 74% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the shoreline of Little Pelican Lake is developed with homes and cabins. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. The east end of the lake is composed of a large marshland area with an abundance of emergent vegetation. Emergent aquatic plants such as wild rice, cattail, and hardstem bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A spring trap netting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch and length data indicate that a moderately abundant Black Crappie population with a high-quality size structure exists in Little Pelican Lake. Crappies ranged in length from 4.7 to 15.1 inches with an average length of 10.4 inches. Sixty-one percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length and 25% were 12.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappie growth rates are moderate with an average length of 9.1 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Little Pelican Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Little Pelican Lake is a 345-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwest Otter Tail County approximately six miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Little Pelican Lake is part of the Pelican River watershed. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northeast shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The Pelican River outlet is navigable to Pelican Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 25 feet; however, 74% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the shoreline of Little Pelican Lake is developed with homes and cabins. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. The east end of the lake is composed of a large marshland area with an abundance of emergent vegetation. Emergent aquatic plants such as wild rice, cattail, and hardstem bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. A spring trapnetting survey was conducted to analyze the Black Crappie population. Catch and length data indicate that a moderately abundant Black Crappie population with a high quality size structure exists in Little Pelican Lake. Crappies ranged in length from 7.6 to 14.4 inches with an average length of 11.4 inches. Seventy-nine percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length and 39% were 12.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappie growth rates are fast with an average length of 10.2 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Little Pelican Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

Little Pelican Lake is a 345-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwest Otter Tail County approximately six miles northwest of Vergas, MN. Little Pelican Lake is part of the Pelican River watershed. The Pelican River inlet is located along the northeast shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the south shoreline. The Pelican River outlet is navigable to Pelican Lake. The immediate watershed is composed primarily of hardwood woodlots. The maximum depth is 25 feet; however, 74% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The majority of the shoreline of Little Pelican Lake is developed with homes and cabins. Shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. The east end of the lake is composed of a large marshland area with an abundance of emergent vegetation. Emergent aquatic plants such as wild rice, cattail, and hardstem bulrush provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines and lake bottoms, and can actually absorb and break down polluting chemicals. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish such as Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and panfish. They also serve as important nursery areas for all species of fish. Because of their ecological value, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. An abundant Bluegill population exists. Bluegill size structure is excellent with 79% of the Bluegills measuring 7.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.7 inches at four years of age. Anglers can maintain the quality of fishing by practicing selective harvest. Selective harvest encourages the release of medium to large-size fish while allowing the harvest of more abundant smaller fish for table fare. Releasing the medium to large fish will ensure that the lake will have enough spawning age fish on an annual basis and will provide anglers with more opportunities to catch large fish in the future. Little Pelican Lake was listed as infested with zebra mussels in 2009. Aquatic invasive species are threatening Minnesota waters. Aquatic invasive species can potentially harm water quality, water recreation, aquatic habitat, native species, and fish populations. Anglers can help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by following watercraft transportation laws.

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

We don't have a confirmed public access point on record for Little Pelican. Check the DNR LakeFinder page for current access details before you go.

Little Pelican has a maximum depth of 25 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 Little Pelican is from 1999. Surveys this old should be treated with some caution — fish populations change over time.

Yes — Little Pelican has confirmed flowering rush and zebra mussel. Clean, drain, and dry your equipment to avoid spreading invasives to other waters.