Lake information report

Name: PELICAN

Nearest Town: Breezy Point Primary County: Crow Wing Survey Date: 08/18/2003 Inventory Number: 18-0308-00

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Public Access Information

Lake Characteristics

Fish Sampled up to the 2003 Survey Year

Length of Selected Species Sampled for All Gear for the 2003 Survey Year

Fish Stocking Activity

Fish Stocked by Species for the Last Ten Years

Fish Consumption Guidelines

These fish consumption guidelines help people make choices about which fish to eat and how often. Following the guidelines enables people to reduce their exposure to contaminants while still enjoying the many benefits from fish.

Pregnant Women, Women who may become pregnant and Children under age 15

General Population

DOWID - MN DNR, Divion of Waters' lake ID number.

Contaminants listed were measured at levels high enough to warrant a recommendation to limit consumption.

Listing of consumption guidelines do not imply the fish are legal to keep, MN DNR fishing regulations should be consulted.

Dioxin
Mercury
PCBS - Polychlorinated biphenyls
PFOS - Perfluorooctane sulfanate

Status of the Fishery (as of 08/18/2003)

Pelican Lake, at 8,253 acres, is one of the largest and most popular lakes in the Brainerd area. The lake is heavily developed with 22.7 homes/cabins per shoreline mile and a dozen resorts of various types and sizes as of 1993. There are 4 public accesses and a public swimming beach that provide recreational opportunities. The maximum depth is 104' and about 47% of the lake is 15' deep or less. Shallow water substrates consist primarily of sand, although areas of gravel, rubble, marl, and silt are also common. The aquatic plant community is quite diverse with 37 species present and is critical to maintaining healthy fish populations. Emergent plants such as bulrush are important for shoreline protection, maintaining water quality, and provide essential spawning habitat for bass and panfish species. Submerged plants provide food and cover needed by fish and other aquatic species.

The 2003 walleye catch of 8.7/gill net is typical for this and similar lakes. Average length and weight were similar to 1998 at 16.0" and 1.4 lbs. Ten different year classes were represented with the 1999 and 2000 year classes accounting for 52% of the gill net catch. These fish measured approximately 13" to 18" at the time of the survey. Fall electrofishing suggests that fry stocking has been successful in augmenting year class strength. The 2003 year class was sampled in the highest numbers to date with a catch rate of 72.2/hr. In general, year classes from 1999 through the present are abundant and should provide quality fishing now and in the near future.

Northern pike were caught in average numbers in 2003 at 3.7/gill net. Average length and weight were similar to 1998 at 21.3" and 2.2 lbs, with 16.4% of these fish measuring at least 24". Largemouth bass abundance measured by trap nets was average at 0.8/trap net and gill net abundance was above average at 1.9/gill net. Spring electrofishing resulted in a largemouth bass catch rate of 122.6/hr with an average length of 11.2" and 45% measuring at least 12". Bluegill and black crappies were both caught in average numbers. About 5% of bluegills measured at least 7" and 14% of the black crappies measured 8" or larger.

Tullibee and yellow perch are important forage species for the lake's game fish. Both species were caught in average numbers in 2003. The yellow perch population is particularly important as it tends to decrease as the walleye population increases and vise versa. A sustainable forage base is essential to the success of the lake's walleye population.

For more information on this lake, contact: Area Fisheries Supervisor 1601 Minnesota Dr Brainerd, MN 56401 Phone: (218) 828-2550 Internet: Brainerd Fisheries E-Mail: Brainerd.Fisheries@state.mn.us	Lake maps can be obtained from: Minnesota Bookstore 660 Olive Street St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 297-3000 or (800) 657-3757 To order, use B0113 for the map-id.
For general DNR Information, contact: DNR Information Center 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 TDD: (651) 296-6157 or (888) MINNDNR Internet: www.dnr.state.mn.us E-Mail: info.dnr@state.mn.us	Turn in Poachers (TIP):     Toll-free: (800) 652-9093