Minnesota · Otter Tail County
Pelican Lake Fishing guide
Pelican Lake sits in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, and covers 3,962 acres, reaching 55 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 12.3 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 15 times, most recently in 2025, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2024One of the best around13.8per gill net13"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 451 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 185 fish
2024Lengths measured · 266 fish
2021Lengths measured · 232 fish
2018Lengths measured · 170 fish
2015Largemouth bassPresent1.4per trap net6"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 41 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 7 fish
2024Only 7 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 34 fish
2021Lengths measured · 16 fish
2018Lengths measured · 38 fish
2015Smallmouth bassPresent3.4per gill net14"Typical19"Biggest
Lengths measured · 97 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 61 fish
2024Lengths measured · 36 fish
2021Lengths measured · 15 fish
2018Lengths measured · 8 fish
2015Only 8 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Northern pikeJust a few3.9per gill net23"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 115 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 34 fish
2024Lengths measured · 81 fish
2021Lengths measured · 50 fish
2018Lengths measured · 55 fish
2015MuskellungeLast stocked 2025Present, stockedPresent and managed by the DNR.
Present and managed by the DNR.
Lengths measured · 124 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024 + 2025Lengths measured · 48 fish
2025Lengths measured · 43 fish
2024Lengths measured · 33 fish
2021Lengths measured · 44 fish
2019BluegillJust a few13.9per trap net7"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 477 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 187 fish
2024Lengths measured · 290 fish
2021Lengths measured · 1056 fish
2018Lengths measured · 593 fish
2015CrappieJust a few0.3per trap net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 52 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 9 fish
2024Only 9 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 43 fish
2021Lengths measured · 145 fish
2018Lengths measured · 145 fish
2015Yellow perchExcellent numbers29.1per gill net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 805 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 231 fish
2024Lengths measured · 574 fish
2021Lengths measured · 654 fish
2018Lengths measured · 664 fish
2015Rock bassOne of the best around3.4per trap net6"Typical10"Biggest
Lengths measured · 165 fish
Recent · 2021 + 2024Lengths measured · 50 fish
2024Lengths measured · 115 fish
2021Lengths measured · 183 fish
2018Lengths measured · 135 fish
2015Rates come from standard DNR survey gear (gill nets, trap nets, electrofishing), judged against statewide benchmarks for the same gear, so the same number of fish per net can read differently for two species. Where the standard gear can't count a species reliably, only presence and size are listed. Typical is the middle fish of those measured. Open a row for the full length spread, survey by survey.
How to fish Pelican Lake through the year
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 12.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Walleye are setting up on the outside weed edge, points and shallow structure.
- Summer
- Walleye are working the weed edge, points and any wind-blown structure. On a lake that drops to 55 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Largemouth bass
- Spring
- Largemouth are moving up into the warming bays and flats, staging around wood, docks and new weeds to spawn. At 12.3 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- Early summer
- Largemouth are on the shallow spawning flats and protected bays, where beds go on firm bottom next to isolated cover.
- Summer
- Largemouth are in and along the weeds: cabbage and milfoil edges, matted cover and shade. On a lake that drops to 55 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Largemouth are chasing bait back onto the flats and into the remaining green weeds, feeding hard and shallow before the freeze.
Season patterns for each species. Open the live map for today's wind, light and water temp.
Size history
Biggest fish by survey year
| Survey year | Walleye | Largemouth bass | Smallmouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28" | 17" | 19" |
| 2021 | 25" | 18" | 19" |
| 2018 | 26" | 14" | 17" |
| 2015 | 28" | 16" | 20" |
| 2011 | 26" | 14" | 15" |
| 2008 | 27" | 14" | — |
| 2005 | 27" | 14" | 9" |
| 2002 | 29" | 17" | 17" |
Longest fish measured by DNR survey crews in each year's nets. Survey gear samples the population, so the lake usually holds larger fish than any survey measured.
Suggested tackle
What to bring
Top presentations for this lake's structure and clarity:
Walleye · Live bait
Live-Bait (Lindy) Rig + Leech/Crawler
jumbo leech or half a nightcrawler
Walleye · Trolling
Leadcore Line + Crankbaits
4–5" mid-diving crankbait behind a long leadcore run
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Free Rig
Creature bait or magnum finesse worm
Smallmouth bass · Soft plastics
Drop Shot (Finesse Plastic)
4" finesse worm or 3" minnow-profile plastic
Smallmouth bass · Jigs & bladed
Tail Spinner
Compact lead body with a free-spinning blade on the tail
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
DNR stocking records
Stocking history
| Year | Species | Stocked |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Muskellunge | 813 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Muskellunge | 813 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 1,625,000 fry |
| 2023 | Muskellunge | 823 fingerlings |
| 2023 | Walleye | 9,500 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Muskellunge | 825 fingerlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 1,625,000 fry |
| 2021 | Muskellunge | 418 fingerlings |
| 2021 | Walleye | 1,625,000 fry |
| 2020 | Walleye | 6,000 fingerlings |
| 2019 | Muskellunge | 826 fingerlings |
| 2018 | Muskellunge | 813 fingerlings |
Stocking records before 2018 omitted.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2025 survey
Fergus Falls Area Fisheries conducted the second and final phase of a mark-recapture sampling effort on the Pelican Chain of Lakes in 2025. Fish were sampled by spring boat electrofishing and assessed for a PIT tag, determining if a fish had been marked in a prior sampling effort or year. Sampling took place for five nights between 4/15/2025 and 5/5/2025. A total of 48 Muskellunge were sampled across these five nights, of which 8 were recaptures.
The sampled Muskellunge ranged in size from 23.5 to 52.8 inches in length. Five Muskellunge over 50.0 inches were sampled during the surveys, which was 10.4% of the sample. Population estimates ranged from 229 to 252 fish, equaling approximately one fish per 18 to 20 acres.
Narrative text from the Minnesota DNR lake survey.
Recent reports
Pelican Lake fishing reports
Recent reports on Pelican Lake from guides, tournaments and regular anglers. Anything posted in the last two weeks also bumps the matching spots on the live map, so you'll see a "matches a recent report" tag on them.
Open the live map → Fished it lately? Write a report
All Pelican Lake fishing reports → · Otter Tail County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Pelican Lake (E) (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake (W) (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pelican Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Fish Lake · 293 ac · 1.6 mi
- Little Pelican Lake · 366 ac · 3 mi
- Eunice Lake · 378 ac · 3.3 mi
- Maud Lake · 517 ac · 3.5 mi
- Lizzie (north portion) Lake · 1,913 ac · 4.1 mi
- Tamarac Lake · 445 ac · 4.3 mi
- Franklin Lake · 1,088 ac · 4.3 mi
- Ida Lake · 632 ac · 4.6 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake reaches 55 ft at its deepest point; about 41% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake covers 3,962 acres with about 17.1 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pelican Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pelican Lake average 12.3 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pelican Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2025) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pelican Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked muskellunge in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2018.
Does Pelican Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pelican Lake has 2 public access sites, including Pelican Lake (E) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pelican Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 28"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 2002.
When was Pelican Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pelican Lake in 2025, the most recent of 15 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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The live map adds today's conditions and ranked spots for Pelican Lake, plus a trip plan you can share:
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