Pelican

Pelican Lake is a productive, moderately-sized (519-acre) lake located just north of Lake Minnewaska in central Pope County. Maximum depth of the basin is 34 feet. Approximately 80% of the lake is less than 15 feet deep. Due to a large watershed area and nutrient enrichment, water quality can be seasonally impaired during summer months by algae blooms. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake just off North Pelican Lake Road. Bluegill have been very abundant in past surveys but are currently more moderate (34.1/trap net) for Pelican Lake, which is still abundant when compared to similar lakes. There is currently a very large year class of young (age 2) fish which account for 58% of the Bluegill sampled. However, seven year classes were sampled, with the oldest being age 8. Growth is fast. There has been an increase in the proportion of larger fish compared to previous surveys. Between both gears (gill and trap nets) there were a good number (14%) of Bluegill over 8 inches. Similar to past surveys, few Black crappie were sampled (1.6/trap net). Of the few fish sampled, most were age 2 and therefore small but the largest fish sampled was almost 12 inches. Average length of crappies was 8 inches. Walleye abundance (3.3/gill net) was down from the 2016 high (8.7/gill net) but similar to the long term average (3.8/gill net). Walleye ranged from 9 to 23 inches, with a mean of 17 inches. Growth is fast. Largemouth Bass abundance (90/hour of electrofishing) was the highest observed so far. Most fish were between 13 and 16 inches, and the largest fish sampled was over 19 inches. There appears to be strong reproduction with many 7 to 8 inch fish present. Northern Pike density (7.6/gill net) was down and size structure has improved slightly from previous surveys. Forty-four percent of pike were within the protected slot, which should help to improve the size structure in the coming years. In addition, 22% were over 26 inches, with the largest being almost 35 inches. Anglers are encouraged to harvest small Northern Pike. New Northern Pike regulations were implemented in 2018 to increase size structure. Pelican Lake is in the North-Central Zone, where all pike from 22 to 26 inches must be released. Anglers can keep 10 pike, but not more than two can be longer than 26 inches. Northern Pike taken by spearing follow the same rules except one pike may be between 22 and 26 inches, or two larger than 26 inches. For more information see: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/pike/index.html. Yellow Perch remain abundant (25.3/gill net) even though they have been quite variable. Most fish were young and therefore small, so few fish were at sizes that would be of interest to anglers. Contrary to most lakes in our area, Black Bullhead (53.1/gill net) continue to be abundant. Both species should provide adequate forage to predator species. Other species sampled include Bowfin (Dogfish), Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Freshwater Drum, hybrid sunfish, Pumpkinseed, White Sucker and Yellow Bullhead.

This nearshore survey was conducted during summer 2016 to assess populations of non-game species and small game fish using backpack electrofishing and seining. Backpack electrofishing and/or seining were conducted at 14 stations, representing a variety of habitat types, along the shoreline of Pelican Lake. The survey was conducted during the five-year sampling window for intensive monitoring efforts within the Chippewa River watershed, and will be contributing to a watershed assessment process in coordination with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Eighteen species were collected during this survey. Two species (Banded Killifish and Iowa Darter) were considered "intolerant" based on current tolerance classifications for Minnesota lakes. Nearshore catch data will be used along with gill and trap net catch data to develop an Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) score, which is indicative of the health of Pelican Lake.

Pelican Lake is a productive, moderately-sized (519-acre) basin located just north of Lake Minnewaska in central Pope County. A portion of the east shoreline is delineated as the northwest city limit of Long Beach. Maximum depth of the basin is 34.0 feet. Fisheries productivity is enhanced by the expanded littoral area. Approximately 80% of the lake is less than 15.0 feet deep. Due to a large watershed area and nutrient enrichment, water quality can be seasonally impaired during summer months by frequent and occasionally severe algae blooms. Aquatic vegetation is common and can become dense in shallow bays. A public access is located on the northeast side of the lake just off North Pelican Lake Road. A standardized fisheries survey was completed June 20-23, 2016. A combination of nine gill nets and nine trap nets were used to assess fish community structure and estimate relative abundance of gamefishes. Due to greater effectiveness of springtime electrofishing sampling of Largemouth Bass, bass were surveyed earlier in the year (May 25). Bluegill and Largemouth Bass catch rates characterize these gamefishes as moderately abundant. Bluegill trap net catches averaged 24.7 fish/net. Those captures averaged 5.2 inches in total length. The largest Bluegill measured during the survey was 9.4 inches. Bass captures during the electrofishing survey ranged from 2.4 to 18.5 inches in length. Black Crappie capture rates were modest in both trap nets and gill nets. Crappies captured in trap nets averaged 9.3 inches. The largest crappie captured measured 12.6 inches in length. Walleye catch rates (8.7 fish/gill net) are moderately high. Average size was 15.8 inches and 1.6 pounds. Pelican Lake supports good numbers of large Walleyes. Approximately 24% of Walleyes captured in gill nets exceeded 20.0 inches in length. Two captures exceeded 25.0 inches. Biennial fingerling stockings, seasonal fish movements from Lake Minnewaska, and some natural reproduction sustain the Pelican Lake Walleye fishery. Northern Pike catches were exceptionally high during the 2016 survey (21.1 fish/gill net). Catches in gill nets averaged 20.2 inches in length. The largest pike caught measured 33.0 inches. Due to high numbers of young and small pike (14.0-21.0 inches) anglers are encouraged to harvest this surplus of fish. Catch of Yellow Perch (12.0 fish/gill net) declined relative to past surveys. Declines may be related to increases in pike numbers. Few perch measured during the survey were large enough to be harvested. Only five perch captured were 8.0 inches or larger. One Channel Catfish was collected in the 2016 survey. The individual likely entered Pelican Lake through a stream connection with Lake Minnewaska. Pelican Lake is not currently known to be infested with aquatic invasive species now common to Lake Minnewaska, namely zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. Anglers are reminded to drain boats and equipment prior to moving between bodies of water to minimize the risk of transferring aquatic invasive species to this or other lakes.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, White Crappie, and Black Crappie 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 34 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 2022.

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