Pelican

Pelican Lake is typically stocked annually with 3.9 million Walleye fry. In 2024 and 2025, fry were stocked at roughly half of the typical rate (2 million) to evaluate if a reduced stocking rate can produce a successful year class of Walleye. Fingerling stocking is done on a contingency basis when fall electrofishing catch rates fall below 30 young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye per hour and was last done in 2025. Electrofishing was conducted during the night of September 9th, 2025, to monitor the abundance of YOY Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, which resulted in a YOY catch rate of 4.5 per hour. This was up slightly from 2024 (1.0 per hour) and YOY Walleye averaged 6.3 inches. Previous catches ranged from zero to 133.9 per hour. Age 1 and older Walleyes were sampled at a rate of 6.5 per hour. They ranged in size from 11.4 to 17.2 inches, with a mean length of 13.2 inches.

Pelican Lake is stocked annually with Walleye fry. Fingerling stocking is done on a contingency basis when fall electrofishing catch rates fall below 30 young-of-the-year (YOY) Walleye per hour and was last done in 2023. Electrofishing was conducted during the night of September 25th, 2024, to monitor the abundance of YOY Walleyes. The total sample time was 2 hours, which resulted in a YOY catch rate of 1.0/hour run-time. Previous catches have ranged from 0/hour to 133.9/hour. Size of these fish ranged from 6.6" to 8.0". Walleyes that were age 1 and older were sampled at a rate of 46.5/hour. They ranged in size from 8.1" to 16.3", with an average length of 9.6".

Pelican Lake is part of a study evaluating the impacts of Zebra Mussel on Walleye fisheries and this gill net survey was done as a study component. Walleye are stocked annually as fry and as fingerlings if the fry have poor survival in two consecutive years. Walleye fingerlings were last stocked in the fall of 2023. The 2024 Walleye catch of 4.6/gill net was average when compared to similar lakes and down from 7.1/gill net in 2022. The Walleye ranged from 7.7" to 26.1" and had an average length of 16.0". Fingerling stocked year classes accounted for 82% of the fish sampled. Northern Pike were sampled in average numbers at 5.1/gill net. Northern Pike had an average length of 22.1". Fish greater than 26" made up 12% of the catch and fish over 34 were sampled suggesting some angler opportunities for quality pike. The lake is in the northcentral pike zone and anglers are reminded that pike from 22-26 inches must be immediately released. Although limited harvest is allowed, angler can help improve size quality by releasing pike over 26 inches. Yellow Perch provide an important prey item for popular gamefish such as pike and Walleye. Yellow Perch were sampled in below average numbers at 1.9/gill net. Most were too small to be of interest for angling, with an average length of 7.1". Tullibee is an important prey species that provide a food source often linked to large predator production. The Tullibee catch was typical compared to similar lakes. Most of the sampled Tullibee were over 12 inches and may provide angling opportunities. Zebra mussels are present in Pelican Lake. Lake users are required to inspect and remove any aquatic plants and animals from their watercraft and trailers as well as pull the plug and drain all water from the watercraft, including bilges, livewells and baitwells.

Based on Minnesota DNR survey data, anglers target Hybrid Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass 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 104 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.

No — Pelican has no lake-specific regulations in the 2026 Minnesota DNR regulations, so statewide Minnesota limits apply. The statewide sunfish limit is: 20 combined total. Verify current rules with the Minnesota DNR before keeping fish.