Minnesota · St. Louis County
Pelican Lake Fishing guide
Pelican Lake sits in St. Louis County, Minnesota, and covers 11,546 acres, reaching 38 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 5.6 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 14 times, most recently in 2022, with walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeExcellent numbers6.8per gill net15"Typical29"Biggest
Lengths measured · 88 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 88 fish
2022Lengths measured · 28 fish
2016Lengths measured · 42 fish
2012Lengths measured · 35 fish
2007Largemouth bassFair numbers42.9per hr (electrofishing)14"Typical18"Biggest
Lengths measured · 148 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 148 fish
2022Lengths measured · 99 fish
2016Lengths measured · 18 fish
2012Lengths measured · 66 fish
2011Smallmouth bassFair numbers19.5per hr (electrofishing)13"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 74 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 74 fish
2022Lengths measured · 79 fish
2016Lengths measured · 10 fish
2012Lengths measured · 110 fish
2011Northern pikeExcellent numbers15.4per gill net20"Typical28"Biggest
Lengths measured · 203 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 203 fish
2022Lengths measured · 159 fish
2016Lengths measured · 141 fish
2016Lengths measured · 135 fish
2012BluegillJust a few2.3per trap net5"Typical7"Biggest
Lengths measured · 120 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 120 fish
2022Lengths measured · 162 fish
2016Lengths measured · 107 fish
2012Lengths measured · 377 fish
2007CrappieJust a few3.2per trap net6"Typical11"Biggest
Lengths measured · 146 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 146 fish
2022Lengths measured · 250 fish
2016Lengths measured · 519 fish
2012Lengths measured · 299 fish
2007Yellow perchExcellent numbers14.9per gill net5"Typical12"Biggest
Lengths measured · 195 fish
Recent · 2022Lengths measured · 195 fish
2022Lengths measured · 580 fish
2016Lengths measured · 376 fish
2012Lengths measured · 682 fish
2007Rates 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.
- 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.
- Fall
- Walleye are packing onto the sharpest breaks and points as the water cools, in big schools with short windows.
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth.
- Early summer
- Pike are on the outside weed edge and points.
- Summer
- Pike are on the deep weed edge and points near the coolest water they can find.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
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 | Northern pike | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 29" | 28" | 18" |
| 2016 | 28" | 33" | 18" |
| 2012 | 29" | 32" | 18" |
| 2011 | — | — | 18" |
| 2007 | 27" | 33" | 19" |
| 2006 | — | 33" | 20" |
| 2001 | 28" | 34" | 14" |
| 1998 | 24" | 38" | 19" |
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
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Muskie & pike
Soft Rubber (Bull Dawg / Medusa)
10" soft rubber body bait
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Texas-Rigged Worm
7" ribbon-tail or straight-tail plastic worm
Largemouth bass · Soft plastics
Wacky-Rigged Stickworm
5" stickworm
Full setups, including hooks, weights and line, are on the live map. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2022 survey
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.
Read the full DNR narrative
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.
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 → · St. Louis County reports
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Pelican Lake (NE) (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake (W) (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake, Co Rd 515 (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake, Co Rd 516 (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake, Orr (trailer launch)
- Pelican Lake, Saunders Bay (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pelican Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Gabrielson Lake · 16 ac · 3.3 mi
- Swan Lake · 86 ac · 4 mi
- Moose Lake · 929 ac · 5.1 mi
- Bell Lake · 110 ac · 6.6 mi
- Myrtle Lake · 876 ac · 10.1 mi
- Black Duck Lake · 1,250 ac · 10.4 mi
- Ash Lake · 690 ac · 10.6 mi
- Ban Lake · 389 ac · 11.1 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake reaches 38 ft at its deepest point; about 51% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake covers 11,546 acres with about 55.7 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pelican Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pelican Lake average 5.6 ft of visibility, middling clarity for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pelican Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2022) record walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, rock bass.
Is Pelican Lake stocked?
No stocking is on record for Pelican Lake in the DNR's stocking database.
Does Pelican Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pelican Lake has 6 public access sites, including Pelican Lake (NE) (trailer launch).
How big do walleye get in Pelican Lake?
The biggest walleye measured in recent DNR surveys taped 29"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1998.
When was Pelican Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pelican Lake in 2022, the most recent of 14 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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