Pelican Lake

How big is Pelican Lake?

How deep is Pelican Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Pelican Lake?

What are the closest cities to Pelican Lake?

Are there topographical lake maps available Pelican Lake?

We have an topograpical map for online viewing near the top of this page. Lake-Link Pro users can download an print a topograpical map of Pelican Lake (.pdf format) along with 2,700 more lake maps. For more information on all the benefits of Lake-Link Pro click here.

Pelican Lake East

Pelican Lake West

Are there boat launches on Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake area businesses:

Are there places to eat and drink near Pelican Lake?

What are the fishing regulations for Pelican Lake?

There are specific fishing regulations Pelican Lake that you need to know. For complete fishing regulations visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. To report a violation call (800) 652-9093. Need a Minnesota fishing license?

Pelican is a 11,546-acre, class 7 lake located west of Highway 53 at Orr, MN. Slightly over half (54%) of the lake is littoral area. Centrarchids, Northern Pike, and Yellow Perch dominate the sport-fish community.

Special regulations protecting Northern Pike (24 to 38 inches) and Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass (14 to 20 inches) were enacted in the spring of 1998 for a period of 10 years. The regulations were implemented to address concerns about declining Northern Pike quality and to protect the high-quality bass fishery that was present. The Northern Pike regulation was modified in 2001; fish from 24 to 32 inches were protected. In 2008, the regulations were reviewed, and the decision was to continue for an additional 10-year trial period. The bass regulation remained the same and the Northern Pike regulation was modified to match similar lakes in Minnesota (24 to 36 inches protected). Currently, Northern Pike on Pelican are managed under the north-central zone state regulation. The statewide Northern Pike regulation for the north-central zone allows anglers harvest 10 Northern Pike with not more than 2 over 26 inches and all Northern Pike between 22-26 inches must be immediately released. The bass regulation remains the same at all 14" - 20" fish must be immediately released.

Black Crappie catch rate was 3.2 fish per net, which was above the average for similar lakes. Catch rate was above the management goal of 2.6 fish per net for Pelican Lake. Length ranged from 4.1 to 10.6 inches and the average was 6.4 inches. Average weight was 0.2 pounds, which is less than the average for similar lakes. A total of seven year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2-10 years. There are quite a few Black Crappie under 6", with a decent number between 7" - 11". Very few fish over 11" were present. Even though the average weight was less than average for similar lakes there are still good quality Black Crappie in Pelican Lake. There are good numbers of Black Crappie providing good fishing opportunities.

Bluegill catch rate of 2.3 fish per net, which is less than average for similar lakes. Catch rate was below the management goal of 3.2 fish per net for Pelican Lake. Length ranged from 3.3 to 7.3 inches and the average were 4.7 inches. Mean weight was 0.1 pounds, which is less than average for similar lakes. A total of seven year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2-12 years. There are quite a few Bluegill under 6", with a decent number between 6" - 8". Very few fish over 8" were present. Even though Bluegill numbers and the average weight was less than average for similar lakes there are still good quality Bluegill in Pelican Lake.

Night electrofishing was used to sample Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass on June 7 and 8, 2022. A total of 205 bass were captured.

Largemouth Bass catch rate was 42.9 fish per hour of On-Time, which is greater than the Pelican Lake historic average of 28.6 fish per hour of On-Time. Length ranged from 4.3 to 18.5 inches and the average was 13.3 inches, which was similar to the 2011 and 2016 surveys in Pelican Lake. Largemouth Bass length was above the management goal of total length greater than 14 inches for Pelican Lake. Average weight was 1.6 pounds. A total of 14 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2-22 years. The Largemouth Bass population looks very healthy with good numbers of bass under 14". Also, there are good numbers of Largemouth Bass present between 14" and 20" providing a good quality bass fishing opportunity.

Smallmouth Bass catch rate was 19.4 fish per hour of On-Time, which was less than the Pelican Lake historic average of 36.0 fish per hour of On-Time. Length ranged from 4.1 to 17.9 inches and the mean was 11.8 inches, which was less than the 2016 survey (13.0 in.), but greater than the 2011 (10.6 in.), 2007 (8.7 in.), 2006 (7.7 in.), and 2001 (10.5 in.) surveys in Pelican Lake. Smallmouth Bass length was above the management goal of total length grater than 14 inches for Pelican Lake. Average weight was 1.2 pounds. A total of 12 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 2-17 years. The Smallmouth Bass population looks very healthy with good numbers of bass under 14". Also, there are good numbers of Smallmouth Bass present between 14" and 20" providing a good quality bass fishing opportunity.

Northern Pike catch rate was 15.4 fish per net, which was well above the average for similar lakes. Catch rate was above the management goal of 11.1 fish per net for Pelican Lake. Length ranged from 9.2 to 28.9 inches, with an average of 20.2 inches. Northern Pike length was below the management goal of an mean length greater than 21 inches for Pelican Lake. Mean weight was 1.8 pounds, which was less than the expected range for this lake type. A total of seven year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 1-7 years. There are quite a few Northern Pike under 22" inches and in the 22"-26" slot in Pelican Lake, with a few above 26" inches. Some Northern Pike sampled were a bit skinny for their length. There are good numbers of Northern Pike providing good fishing opportunities.

Walleye catch rate was 6.8 fish per net the highest it has ever been on Pelican Lake. Catch rate was well above the management goal of 3.0 fish per net. for Pelican Lake. Average length in the sample was 17.1 inches with a range from 12.0 to 26.3. Average weight was 1.9 pounds, which was well above the average range for similar lakes. A total of 10 year-classes were present, and ages ranged from 1-13 years. Overall, the Walleye population in Pelican Lake looks very healthy. There are good numbers of 14" - 20" Walleyes present with the potential of catching a Walleye over 26".

Yellow Perch catch rate was 14.9 fish per net is greater than the average for similar lakes. Length ranged from 4.8 to 12.1 inches and the average was 6.3 inches. Average weight was 0.1 pounds, which is less than average for similar lakes.

What is the average air temp for Pelican Lake?