Minnesota · Stearns County
Pelican Lake Fishing guide
Pelican Lake covers 291 acres in Stearns County, Minnesota, reaching 46 ft at its deepest point. Average water clarity runs about 14.8 ft. The Minnesota DNR has surveyed the lake 7 times, most recently in 2023, with walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike and bluegill in the nets.
DNR survey data
Fish species
WalleyeLast stocked 2025Fair numbers2.8per gill net19"Typical24"Biggest
Lengths measured · 17 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 17 fish
2023Lengths measured · 16 fish
2016Lengths measured · 46 fish
2010Lengths measured · 10 fish
2000Largemouth bassFair numbers42.2per hr (electrofishing)11"Typical17"Biggest
Lengths measured · 79 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 79 fish
2023Lengths measured · 113 fish
2016Lengths measured · 104 fish
2010Lengths measured · 63 fish
2000Northern pikeGood numbers10.5per gill net18"Typical34"Biggest
Lengths measured · 66 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 66 fish
2023Lengths measured · 114 fish
2016Lengths measured · 160 fish
2010Lengths measured · 144 fish
2000BluegillJust a few11.8per trap net5"Typical9"Biggest
Lengths measured · 135 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 135 fish
2023Lengths measured · 385 fish
2016Lengths measured · 98 fish
2010Lengths measured · 330 fish
2000CrappieLast stocked 2025Present, stocked1.8per gill net10"Typical13"Biggest
Lengths measured · 11 fish
Recent · 2023Lengths measured · 11 fish
2023Lengths measured · 25 fish
2016Lengths measured · 3 fish
2010Only 3 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
Lengths measured · 1 fish
2000Only 1 fish measured that year — too few to read as a shape.
No recent survey rating.
Rates 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
Northern pike
- Spring
- Pike are in the shallow bays and along new weed growth. At 14.8 ft of clarity, fish them deeper and lighter than usual.
- 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. On a lake that drops to 46 ft, check the deep edge of that structure too.
- Fall
- Pike are on the last green weeds and the breaks beside them, feeding heavily as the water drops.
Walleye
- Spring
- Walleye are shallow, on and just off the spawning flats and the first green weeds. At 14.8 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 46 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.
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 | Northern pike | Walleye | Largemouth bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 34" | 24" | 17" |
| 2016 | 33" | 23" | 17" |
| 2010 | 29" | 26" | 17" |
| 2000 | 32" | 27" | 20" |
| 1993 | 26" | 30" | 16" |
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:
Northern pike · Soft plastics
Paddletail Swimbait on Jighead
4–5" paddletail swimbait on a ball-head swimbait jighead
Northern pike · Jigs & bladed
Inline Spinner (Mepps/Blue Fox)
#2–#4 in-line spinner
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
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 | Black Crappie | 3,500 adults |
| 2025 | Walleye | 900 fingerlings |
| 2024 | Walleye | 931 fingerlings · 381 yearlings |
| 2023 | Black Crappie | 3,500 yearlings |
| 2022 | Walleye | 4,080 fingerlings |
| 2020 | Walleye | 2,085 yearlings |
| 2018 | Black Crappie | 3,080 adults |
| 2018 | Walleye | 2,097 fingerlings |
| 2016 | Black Crappie | 994 adults |
| 2016 | Walleye | 4,050 fingerlings |
MN DNR · in their words
From the 2023 survey
Pelican Lake is a 337-acre lake located five miles northeast of Avon in Stearns County. It has a maximum depth of 46 feet and a small watershed dominated by agriculture (pasture/row crops) and open water. A state-owned public access is located on the northwest side of the lake. Pelican Lake is primarily managed for Walleye and Northern Pike and was last surveyed in 2016. Water clarity has always been good on the lake (10-year average - 13 feet) and was 17 feet on July 10th. Dissolved oxygen was adequate to support fish to 24 feet. Emergent and floating-leaf vegetation was last surveyed in 2016, and the primary species present were cattail and white waterlily.
Walleye numbers were similar to 2016 and remain within the range of expected values for lakes similar to Pelican Lake. Walleye fingerlings have been stocked by DNR for many years with supplemental stocking taking place by the lake association during years that DNR does not stock. Walleye lengths ranged from 18.4 to 24.5 inches with an average length and weight of 20.3 inches and 2.9 pounds. Growth is average in the lake with Walleye taking about six years to reach 20 inches. All Walleye sampled in 2023 were longer than 15 inches with 35% being longer than 20 inches, indicating that the size structure is skewed towards larger individuals and that recent stockings may not have been successful.
Read the full DNR narrative
Northern Pike catches have been high in Pelican Lake for years. While the catch in 2023 was the lowest on record and pike numbers appear to have decreased in relation to historic numbers, they are still at the high end of what we would expect to see for lakes similar to Pelican Lake. Most pike were small, ranging in length from 14.6 to 34.7 inches with an average length and weight of 19.5 inches and 1.7 pounds. Only 21% of the Northern Pike sampled were longer than 21 inches and 9% were longer than 26 inches. Anglers should expect to catch ample numbers of small pike ( 26 inches) fish.
Largemouth Bass were sampled on May 25th by daytime electrofishing. The catch rate of 42.2/hour was less than half the catch observed in 2016 and was lower than the Sauk Rapids Area daytime average of 52/hr. Lengths ranged from 6.5 to 18.0 inches with an average length of 12.0 inches. Fifty-three percent of Largemouth Bass were longer than 12 inches and 19% were longer than 15 inches. While the bass numbers appear to be down, the size structure is still in good shape and anglers have a good chance at catching a larger fish (> 15 inches).
The Bluegill catch was lower than 2016, but was similar to 2010 and within the expected range for lake class. Lengths ranged from 3.1 to 9.2 inches with an average length of 5.8 inches. While the Bluegill catch was low, anglers can expect to find a few nicer Bluegills roaming around the lake. Black Crappie numbers have always been low and catches in 2023 were no different. Lengths ranged from 7.0 to 13.6 inches with an average length of 10.4. While the crappie numbers are low, anglers may run into a few larger crappie (> 10 inches) during certain times of the year.
No Yellow Perch were captured in 2023 after only one was captured in 2016 and two were captured in 2010. Perch abundance is likely limited due to the high Northern Pike abundance and to a lesser degree, increasing Walleye numbers. Other species captured in 2023 included: Black, Brown, and Yellow Bullhead, Bowfin (Dogfish), Hybrid Sunfish, and Pumpkinseed.
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.
Public water access
Getting on the water
- Pelican Lake (trailer launch)
DNR bathymetry
Pelican Lake depth map
Within 30 miles
Nearby lakes
- Pine Lake · 108 ac · 1 mi
- Two Rivers Lake · 584 ac · 2.2 mi
- Lower Spunk Lake · 179 ac · 2.8 mi
- Ochotto Lake · 40 ac · 3.1 mi
- Middle Spunk Lake · 236 ac · 3.4 mi
- Linneman Lake · 110 ac · 4.3 mi
- Big Spunk Lake · 415 ac · 4.4 mi
- Kreigle Lake · 102 ac · 5.3 mi
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How deep is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake reaches 46 ft at its deepest point with a mean depth of 17.4 ft; about 46% of the lake is littoral (15 ft or shallower).
How big is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake covers 291 acres with about 3.2 miles of shoreline.
How clear is the water in Pelican Lake?
DNR Secchi readings on Pelican Lake average 14.8 ft of visibility, clear water for a Minnesota lake.
What fish are in Pelican Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys (most recently 2023) record walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch.
Is Pelican Lake stocked?
Yes. The DNR stocked black crappie and walleye in 2025; the stocking table on this page lists every year back to 2016.
Does Pelican Lake have a public access?
Yes. Pelican Lake has one public access site: Pelican Lake (trailer launch).
How big do northern pike get in Pelican Lake?
The biggest northern pike measured in recent DNR surveys taped 34"; the size-history table on this page tracks the biggest fish in each survey back to 1993.
When was Pelican Lake last surveyed?
The Minnesota DNR last surveyed Pelican Lake in 2023, the most recent of 7 surveys on record.
Page updated .
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