Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake near 45.6438, -95.4561 is a lake in Pope County, Minnesota. Pelican Lake covers about 521 acres, reaches a recorded 33 feet and holds about 4,554 acre-feet.

How the Size and Shape of Pelican Lake Affect Fishing

Pelican Lake is small enough to check weeds, wood, rock and the first deep drop without spending the whole day moving around.

Fish and Baits at Pelican Lake

Fish reported from Pelican Lake include banded killifish, bigmouth buffalo, black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, bluntnose minnow, bowfin, brook stickleback, brown bullhead, channel catfish, common carp, fathead minnow, freshwater drum, golden shiner, green sunfish, iowa darter, johnny darter, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, spottail shiner, tadpole madtom, walleye, white crappie, 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.

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.

Catfish, Bullheads, and Carp

For bottom fishing at Pelican Lake, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and fish a worm or small piece of cut bait in quiet water for bullheads, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Pelican Lake include these plans: bounce a jig, worm or crayfish bait along firm bottom for freshwater drum, and work a tough soft plastic or cut bait near weeds and wood for bowfin.

How the Seasons Change Pelican Lake

Spring at Pelican Lake is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into 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 521-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 33-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 4,554 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.