Pelican Lake Information

Pelican Lake (Wright County) Map and Sampling

Due to an increased interest in information about Pelican Lake in Wright County, we have developed a more recent map of the Lake. The lake map was developed in 2007 based on work conducted by DNR Wildlife in 1999 and while not totally encompassing all of the contours, it represents a better map than what is currently available (Pelican Lake Depth Map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.).

Keep in mind that Pelican Lake is managed by DNR Wildlife and there is no intention of managing for fish.  A copy of the restoration plan can be found at Pelican Lake Enhancement Project Overview This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.. However, if you have more questions or concerns about the Pelican Lake Restoration Project please contact Fred Bengston Area Wildlife Manager at 320-223-7869.

The mild winters over the past 9 years have allowed for several species of fish to survive and grow relatively fast and anglers have been reporting that fishing has been excellent over the past 3 - 4  years.  In 2004, we conducted some test netting to assess the potential effect of low oxygen on the fish population (Pelican Lake Survey 2004 This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.).  Species caught in our netting included: black crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, black and yellow bullhead, and northern pike.

In 2008 and 2009, the DNR FiN Program (Fishing in the Neighborhood) had removed black crappie (BLC), bluegill (BLG), and largemouth bass (LMB), which were stocked them into lakes within the Twin Cities metropolitan area to help create fishing opportunities for residents and visitors of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.  For more information on the FiN program click on the following link DNR FiN Program.  The commercial fisherman has only been removing black bullheads (BLB) since 1981.

 

Pelican Lake Enhancement Project Brochure This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Pelican Lake Motor Restriction Map This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it.

Pelican Lake Winter Creel Summary This is a PDF file. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download it. 

 

Fish removed from Pelican Lake (Wright County) by DNR and Commercial Fishermen

 

Year Species Number (N) Pounds (lbs) Avg wt (lb) N/acre
2008 BLC 4,031 939 0.23 1.0
2009   912 302 0.33 0.23
 Total   4,943 1,241 0.25 1.23
           
2008 BLG 1,170 321 0.27 0.29
2009   567 227 0.40 0.14
 Total   1,737 548 0.32 0.43
           
2008 LMB 64 165 2.6 0.02
2009   35 76 2.2 0.01
Total   99 241 2.43 0.02
           
2008 BLB   3,500    
2009     44,900    
2010     8,100    
2011     11,500    
Total     66,000
    

* The MN DNR has not removed any game fish from Pelican Lake since 2009 and has no further plans to remove any game fish in the future.

 

 

Rumors about Pelican Lake in Wright County

Numerous rumors are going around about Pelican Lake.  Rumor #1 is that it is opened to liberalized fishing.  This rumor is false!!!  Although, this lake does periodically winterkill (last time in 2001), regular statewide regulations are in effect and should be obeyed.  The Montrose Area fisheries office will be monitoring the oxygen levels every other week starting the second week of January.  If the lake is opened to liberalized fishing, signs will be posted at all public fishing access points stating the dates that it is opened.  It will also be posted on the main DNR Website.

Rumor#2 is that the DNR has removed 10,000 to 100,000 lbs of game fish from the lake and stocked them in the Twin Cities.  This again is false!!!  The total harvest of all gamefish has been 2,030 lb or about 0.5 lbs/acre.  It is true that these fish were stocked in the Twin Cities area.

Rumor #3 is that the DNR is harvesting all the big fish.  That too, is false!!!  The black crappie that have been removed have averaged 4 fish per pound and the bluegill that have been removed have average 3 to 4 fish per pound.

 

 

Updated January 4, 2013