Pelican Lake near 46.5762, -94.1760 is a lake in Crow Wing County, Minnesota. Pelican Lake covers about 8,367 acres, reaches a recorded 104 feet and holds about 184,782 acre-feet.
How the Size and Shape of Pelican Lake Affect Fishing
Pelican Lake has very deep water, but the deepest hole is not always the best place to fish, so look for baitfish, nearby points and the depth where bites start.
Fish and Baits at Pelican Lake
Fish reported from Pelican Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth shiner, black bullhead, black crappie, blackchin shiner, blacknose shiner, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook silverside, brown bullhead, central mudminnow, cisco, common shiner, emerald shiner, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, lake whitefish, largemouth bass, least darter, logperch, mimic shiner, mottled sculpin, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, sand shiner, silver redhorse, smallmouth bass, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, trout perch, walleye, white sucker, yellow bullhead, and yellow perch.
Bass
For bass at Pelican Lake, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth, and work a tube, Ned rig or small crankbait across rock and firm points for smallmouth.
Crappie, Yellow Perch, and Sunfish
For panfish at Pelican Lake, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, pumpkinseed, and green sunfish, and keep a small jig, minnow or worm close to bottom for yellow perch.
Walleye
For roaming fish at Pelican Lake, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye.
Northern Pike
For large predators at Pelican Lake, cast a spoon, spinnerbait or swimbait beside weeds for northern pike.
Bullheads
For bottom fishing at Pelican Lake, fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads.
Other Reported Fish
Other choices at Pelican Lake include these plans: work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.
Rock Bass
At Pelican Lake, use a small jig, worm or tiny crankbait around rock and firm shorelines for rock bass.
Cisco and Lake Whitefish
For other cold-water fish at Pelican Lake, use a tiny jig or small spoon at the depth where cisco are schooling, and keep a small jig or natural bait near clean bottom for lake whitefish.
How the Seasons Change Pelican Lake
Spring at Pelican Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer fishing is usually better in cooler, deeper water. Fall at Pelican Lake can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
A Simple Plan for Fishing Pelican Lake
On a first trip to Pelican Lake, check one quiet cove, one rocky or firm point and the nearby deep water with a moving lure, then use a jig or worm where you find fish.
Useful Tackle for Pelican Lake
A medium spinning rod covers smaller lures at Pelican Lake, while a heavier rod and stronger leader are better for northern pike.
Pelican Lake FAQs
Where should an angler start on the 8,367-acre Pelican Lake?
At Pelican Lake, pick one cove and the closest point or drop into deep water, then fish that small area well before making a long move.
Should anglers fish the 104-foot deep end of Pelican Lake?
Not every trip. A better place at Pelican Lake is where a point, drop-off or group of baitfish gives the fish a reason to stop.
What does the 184,782 acre-foot storage figure mean at Pelican Lake?
At Pelican Lake, it shows that a lot of the water sits away from the bank and around the old channel or deep end.