Pelican

Fergus Falls Area Fisheries conducted the second and final phase of a mark-recapture sampling effort on the Pelican Chain of Lakes in 2025. Fish were sampled by spring boat electrofishing and assessed for a PIT tag, determining if a fish had been marked in a prior sampling effort or year. Sampling took place for five nights between 4/15/2025 and 5/5/2025. A total of 48 Muskellunge were sampled across these five nights, of which 8 were recaptures. The sampled Muskellunge ranged in size from 23.5 to 52.8 inches in length. Five Muskellunge over 50.0 inches were sampled during the surveys, which was 10.4% of the sample. Population estimates ranged from 229 to 252 fish, equaling approximately one fish per 18 to 20 acres.

Pelican Lake is a 3,986-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles north of Pelican Rapids, MN. Pelican Lake is within the Otter Tail River Watershed. The southern portion of the lake (309 acres) is referred to as Fish Lake. Pelican Lake is connected to Little Pelican Lake and Lake Lizzie via the Pelican River. The Pelican River inlet is located along the east shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the south shoreline of Fish Lake. The Pelican River is navigable by boat upstream to Little Pelican Lake. The dam at the outlet was modified in the spring of 2018 to allow for fish passage. The maximum depth of Pelican Lake is 55 feet; however, 41% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2024 survey was 16.3 feet. Previous secchi disk readings ranged from 5.4 to 14.7 feet. The shoreline of Pelican Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the east and southwest shorelines of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Remnant stands of hardstem bulrush and wild rice are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. A large stand of hardstem bulrush is located along the north shoreline of the entrance into Fish Lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and wild rice provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. 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. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Pelican Lake is a popular angling lake. It is best known for its excellent Walleye, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Bluegill fishing. Pelican Lake is also renowned as a trophy Muskellunge fishery. The Walleye population continues to be very abundant. The 2021 and 2022 year-classes are very strong and should provide consistently good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.2 to 25.1 inches with an average length of 13.1 inches. Walleyes attain an average length of 14.5 inches at four years of age. The Northern Pike population has demonstrated stability over the recent series of surveys. Northern Pike abundance has remained at a moderate density and natural reproduction has continued to be consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 19.2 to 34.5 inches with an average length and weight of 24.7 inches and 3.2 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 25.1 inches at four years of age. The Muskellunge population in the Pelican Chain of Lakes is managed as a low-density, high-quality fishery. Muskellunge sampled in the surveys ranged in length from 37.0 to 51.5 inches. A 2025 recapture effort is planned to develop a population estimate for Muskellunge in the Pelican Chain of Lakes. Bluegill abundance is of a low to moderate density. Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Forty-seven percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 19% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.9 inches at six 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 the 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. 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.

Pelican Lake is a 3,986-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles north of Pelican Rapids, MN. Pelican Lake is within the Otter Tail River Watershed. The southern portion of the lake (309 acres) is referred to as Fish Lake. Pelican Lake is connected to Little Pelican Lake and Lake Lizzie via the Pelican River. The Pelican River inlet is located along the east shoreline of the lake while the outlet is located along the south shoreline of Fish Lake. The Pelican River is navigable by boat upstream to Little Pelican Lake. The dam at the outlet was modified in the spring of 2018 to allow for fish passage. The maximum depth of Pelican Lake is 55 feet; however, 41% of the lake is less than 15 feet in depth. The secchi disk reading during the 2021 survey was 11.2 feet. Previous secchi disk readings have ranged from 5.4 to 14.7 feet. The shoreline of Pelican Lake has been extensively developed. Homes, cottages, and resorts compose the majority of the development. DNR owned concrete public water accesses are located along the east and southwest shorelines of the lake. The shoal water substrates consist primarily of sand and gravel. Remnant stands of hardstem bulrush and wild rice are scattered along various shorelines of the lake. A large stand of hardstem bulrush is located along the north shoreline of the entrance into Fish Lake. Emergent aquatic plants such as bulrush and wild rice provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat, and are critical for maintaining good water quality. 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. To maintain the excellent water quality and angling that this lake has to offer, it is imperative to preserve the quality of the aquatic habitat. Pelican Lake is a popular angling lake. It is best known for its excellent Walleye, Northern Pike, Black Crappie, and Bluegill fishing. Pelican Lake is also renowned as a trophy Muskellunge fishery. The Walleye population continues to be very abundant. The 2018 year class is very strong and should provide consistently good Walleye angling for several years. Walleyes ranged in length from 8.2 to 25.1 inches with an average length and weight of 14.8 inches and 1.2 pounds. Walleyes attain an average length of 16.5 inches at four years of age. The Northern Pike population has demonstrated stability over the recent series of surveys. Northern Pike abundance has remained at a moderate density and natural reproduction has continued to be consistently good. Northern Pike ranged in length from 16.2 to 34.7 inches with an average length and weight of 25.1 inches and 3.5 pounds. Pike attain an average length of 24.9 inches at four years of age. The Muskellunge population in the Pelican Chain of Lakes is managed as a low density, high quality fishery. Muskellunge ranged in length from 28.5 to 53.0 inches with a mean length of 42.5 inches. A 2021 recapture effort is planned to develop a population estimate for Muskellunge in the Pelican Chain of Lakes. The Black Crappie population has an excellent size structure and age data indicate that crappie reproduction is consistently good. Sixty-eight percent of the crappies were 10.0 inches or greater in length. Black Crappie attain an average length of 10.7 inches at five years of age. Bluegill abundance is moderate and Bluegill reproduction is consistently good. Forty percent of the Bluegills were 7.0 inches or greater in length, while 15% were 8.0 inches or greater in length. Bluegills attain an average length of 7.3 inches at six 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 the 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. 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 Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Walleye, and Hybrid Sunfish 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 55 feet, per Minnesota DNR data.

The most recent Minnesota DNR survey data for the main sport fish in Pelican is from 2024.

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