Fishing Pelican Lake

AKA: Pelican Lake in Otter Tail County

Popular Fish Species
Pelican Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Pelican Lake, MN

Popular Fish Species Pelican Lake, MN

Pelican Lake Popular Fish - Northern Pike

Northern Pike Fishing

Big northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Pelican Lake. This year they are being caught in good numbers with an occasional giant. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. When the lake has safe ice in winter, ice fishing for northern pike can be quite thrilling. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help. Throughout the season, effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey.

Pelican Lake Popular Fish - Pumpkinseed Sunfish

Pumpkinseed Fishing

Fishing for pumpkinseed sunfish is very popular here at Pelican Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat pumpkinseed sunfish. This year, much like recent years, the pumpkinseed population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Pumpkinseed sunfish fishing is about as basic as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything edible, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Pumpkinseed prefer clear water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Pelican Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A healthy population of black crappie resides in Pelican Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, green sunfish, pumpkinseed sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Pelican Lake in Minnesota.

Pelican Lake Fishing Video

Just one of over a hundred lakes in the immediate area, Pelican Lake stands out for great fishing and recreation. This 4,000-acre lake is located in the western part of the state, at Clear View, with easy access off US Highway 59.

Pelican Lake, located in north-central Minnesota, is a popular fishing destination known for its diverse fish species and excellent angling opportunities. Spanning over 8,000 acres, this picturesque lake attracts anglers of all skill levels seeking to reel in some of Minnesota's most sought-after fish.

Walleye fishing on Pelican Lake is a major draw for anglers. The lake's structure, including points, drop-offs, and weed beds, provides ideal habitats for walleye. Anglers can employ a variety of techniques such as trolling with crankbaits, jigging, or rigging with live bait to entice these prized fish. Pelican Lake offers a chance to land quality-sized walleye and promises thrilling angling experiences.

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found in Pelican Lake, adding to the excitement for bass enthusiasts. The lake's diverse shoreline, rocky structures, and submerged vegetation create perfect habitats for these predatory fish. Anglers can use a range of techniques such as topwater lures, spinnerbaits, or soft plastics to target bass. Whether you prefer the aggression of largemouth or the acrobatics of smallmouth, Pelican Lake offers ample opportunities for a memorable bass fishing adventure.

Northern pike are another prized species in Pelican Lake, known for their aggressive strikes and powerful fights. These toothy predators are abundant in the lake and can be found near weed beds, shallow bays, and points. Anglers can use large spoons, swimbaits, or live bait to entice pike. Pelican Lake is an excellent destination for those seeking the thrill of catching these ferocious fish.

Yellow perch, bluegill, and black crappie are popular panfish species in Pelican Lake. These fish can be found near weed edges, drop-offs, and other structures. Anglers can enjoy targeting panfish using small jigs or live bait presentations. Whether you're after a mess of tasty perch, a stringer of bluegill, or the challenge of finding slab-sized crappie, Pelican Lake provides a rewarding panfish angling experience.

With its variety of popular fish species, excellent fishing opportunities, and recreational amenities, Pelican Lake is a premier fishing destination in Minnesota. Whether you're targeting walleye, bass, pike, perch, panfish, or simply enjoying a day on the water, Pelican Lake offers a memorable fishing experience in a serene and picturesque setting.

Bass anglers will enjoy exploring over fifty miles of shoreline. The lake has healthy populations of bass, crappie, walleye, perch, pike and sunfish, all caught with regularity throughout the season. Ice fishing is generally good for walleye, perch, crappie and bluegill. Boating access is via Pelican Lake Launch, located on the east end of the lake, off E Pelican Lake Road.

Primary fish species residing in Pelican Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Pelican Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NEARBY
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Boating is a popular activity on Pelican Lake, with several access points and a public boat ramp available for anglers to launch their watercraft. The lake's expansive waters allow for leisurely cruises and exploration of its scenic shoreline. Camping facilities near the lake offer opportunities for anglers to extend their stay and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Fishing Boat Rentals

Umotors Pelican Lake
Rentals: Pontoon boats
218 532-2222

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Pelican Lake Public Access - East Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, east side, off County Road 31, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Pelican Lake Public Access - West Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off S Pelican Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Breezy Point Boat Marina
9252 Breezy Point Drive
Breezy Point, MN 56472
218 562-7164