Pelican

Crow Wing County, Minnesota — DOW #18030800

153 Surveys

Invasive Species Alert

Pelican has confirmed populations of:

zebra mussel

Clean, drain, and dry all equipment before moving to another water body. It's the law in Minnesota.

8,367.35

Acres

104 ft

Max Depth

Fish Species

Local Guides

DNR Fish Surveys

Catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from Minnesota DNR fish population assessments on Pelican. Green = above normal range. Red = below normal.

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	4.8 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	3.42 lb	29
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	6.3 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.76 lb	94
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	3.7 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.20 lb	55
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.94 lb	7
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	3.5 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.74 lb	28
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	6.3 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.58 lb	95
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	5.9	—	0.07 lb	89
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.0 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.79 lb	45
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.33 lb	1
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	3.2 (normal)	3.0 – 7.9	2.70 lb	48

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.50 lb	1
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.55 lb	3
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.4 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.09 lb	6
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.16 lb	8
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.25 lb	2
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.21 lb	36
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.21 lb	30
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.6	—	0.25 lb	9
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.2 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.30 lb	33
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.22 lb	6
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.2 – 1.1	0.59 lb	12

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.01 lb	14
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.42 lb	34
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.52 lb	18
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.85 lb	2
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.13 lb	20
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.6 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.58 lb	26
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.17 lb	22
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.1	—	0.09 lb	2
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.0 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.87 lb	15
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	2.67 lb	17
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	1.0 – 3.5	1.66 lb	18

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	5.2 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	2.05 lb	31
2011-09-19	Special electrofishing	160.0	—	0.08 lb	523
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.9 (below normal)	4.0 – 9.6	2.37 lb	58
2003-08-18	Standard electrofishing	118.0	—	0.17 lb	423
2003-08-18	Special electrofishing	61.8	—	0.27 lb	164
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	8.7 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.50 lb	130
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.9	0.79 lb	15
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	13.0 (above normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.18 lb	104
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 0.9	1.53 lb	9
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	7.5 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.69 lb	113
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	2.2	—	0.21 lb	33
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	6.5 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.46 lb	98
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.9	6.72 lb	2
2021-09-16	Fall electrofishing	14.6	—	0.66 lb	54
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	7.1 (normal)	4.0 – 9.6	1.40 lb	106

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	4.7	—	0.17 lb	28
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.7	—	0.08 lb	86
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	3.4	—	0.12 lb	51
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	3.6 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.17 lb	58
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	7.0	—	0.21 lb	56
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	5.9 (normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.23 lb	94
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.5	—	0.16 lb	53
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	1.6	—	0.02 lb	24
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	3.4	—	0.14 lb	51
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	1.3 (below normal)	1.6 – 6.9	0.07 lb	21
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	4.1	—	0.17 lb	62

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	4.3 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.90 lb	26
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	1.12 lb	9
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	0.98 lb	23
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.9 – 4.8	0.71 lb	17
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	3.3 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	1.07 lb	26
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.3 (normal)	0.9 – 4.8	0.86 lb	20
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	1.01 lb	18
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.2	—	0.54 lb	3
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	1.05 lb	18
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	0.9 – 4.8	1.16 lb	10
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.9 (normal)	0.6 – 6.4	1.32 lb	14

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	5.7	—	0.17 lb	34
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.6	—	0.07 lb	84
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	3.0	—	0.12 lb	45
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	15.0 (normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.11 lb	240
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	4.3	—	0.15 lb	34
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	22.9 (normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.13 lb	367
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	3.7	—	0.12 lb	55
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	9.2	—	0.02 lb	138
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	4.8	—	0.11 lb	72
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	15.8 (normal)	3.7 – 42.9	0.09 lb	252
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	5.2	—	0.13 lb	78

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	15.2 (normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.10 lb	91
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	4.0 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.13 lb	60
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.09 lb	1
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	10.6 (normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.13 lb	159
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.5 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.11 lb	8
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	6.8 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.15 lb	54
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.5 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.15 lb	82
2017-09-14	Standard electrofishing	138.0	—	0.04 lb	23
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	88.1	—	0.02 lb	1321
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 3.7	0.17 lb	13
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	5.5 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.19 lb	82
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	3.7 (below normal)	7.1 – 33.9	0.15 lb	56

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.79 lb	9
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.26 lb	18
2003-08-18	Special electrofishing	124.8	—	0.98 lb	331
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.73 lb	29
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.56 lb	13
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	2.4 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.51 lb	19
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	2.9 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.31 lb	47
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	2.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	1.04 lb	42
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	4.3	—	0.05 lb	64
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.55 lb	23
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 1.4	0.42 lb	14
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	2.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.2	0.91 lb	33

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1978-08-09	Standard gill nets	5.5 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.49 lb	33
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.1 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.46 lb	77
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	6.1 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.66 lb	91
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.37 lb	42
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	10.3 (above normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.52 lb	82
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	1.5 (normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.29 lb	24
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	5.3 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.56 lb	80
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	3.1	—	0.10 lb	46
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	4.1 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.44 lb	62
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.3	0.30 lb	11
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	2.1 (normal)	1.0 – 6.6	0.51 lb	31

Tullibee (Cisco)

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.6 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.61 lb	24
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.25 lb	25
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.75 lb	3
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	1.33 lb	17
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.7	—	0.01 lb	10
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	1.1 (normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.87 lb	16
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 5.2	0.40 lb	5

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2018-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.9	—	0.14 lb	14
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.52 lb	2
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	1.8	—	0.13 lb	28
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	0.19 lb	13
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.8	—	0.29 lb	12
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.4	—	0.19 lb	6
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	2.4	—	0.18 lb	36
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	2.1	—	0.10 lb	33
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.15 lb	10

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.56 lb	7
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.6	1.25 lb	3
1988-08-08	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.12 lb	4
1988-08-08	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.6	0.75 lb	4
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.6	0.98 lb	7
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.6	1.21 lb	4
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.6	1.10 lb	2

SLR

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2003-08-18	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	2.79 lb	1

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2003-08-18	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.1	4.49 lb	8
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.1	6.65 lb	2

LKW

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2012-08-13	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.1 – 0.9	6.17 lb	3

Mottled Sculpin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.2	—	3

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	3.0	—	45

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	7.3	—	109

Logperch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	2.4	—	36

Trout-Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.1	—	1

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.5	—	7

Mimic Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.1	—	1

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2017-09-14	Special gill nets	0.1	—	0.01 lb	2

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.1	0.91 lb	2

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2020-08-10	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.9	3.90 lb	1
2022-08-15	Standard gill nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 0.9	2.75 lb	3

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Get Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

★ 4.3

66 marine north storage

Crosslake, MN

(218) 692-6161

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Deerwood, MN

(218) 534-3435

★ 4.3

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Deerwood, MN

(218) 678-2096

★ 4.2

Bell Marine LLC

Merrifield, MN

(218) 821-0842

Boats and beyond - dock

Brainerd, MN

(218) 963-7700

★ 4.9

Resorts & Lodges Near Pelican

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Pelican.

Bay Colony Inn (A Gull Lake Beach Resorts Property)

Fishing Resort Nisswa

(218) 656-6965

Crosslake Cabin

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Cabins

Fishing Resort Crosslake

Crosslake Vacations & Rentals

Fishing Resort Crosslake

(218) 656-0403

View all 888 Minnesota resorts →

Fish Species

Species known to inhabit Pelican. Click any species for a full fishing guide.

Black Bullhead Black Crappie Bluegill Bowfin (Dogfish)Brown Bullhead Green Sunfish Hybrid Sunfish Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Tullibee (Cisco)Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Pelican

371 Outdoors (Ice Forts)

Fishing Guide

(218) 824-1722

Blong's Brainerd Guide Service

Fishing Guide

(218) 825-8965

Brainerd Fishing Guides

(218) 829-7010

(218) 692-7368

(320) 345-7111

Let's Go Fishing Brd Lks Chapter

Fishing Guide

(218) 454-3474

View all 15 guides →

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Plan Your Trip to Pelican

Weather forecast for Pelican — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 46.5760°N, 94.1760°W — Get Directions
View on MN DNR LakeFinder for the latest survey data and lake info
Review Minnesota fishing regulations for season dates and limits
A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+ — buy online at dnr.state.mn.us

Data sourced from Minnesota DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Last verified: March 19, 2026. Learn how we maintain this data.

Pelican

Invasive Species Alert

DNR Fish Surveys

Northern Pike

Black Crappie

White Sucker

Walleye

Pumpkinseed

Yellow Bullhead

Bluegill

Yellow Perch

Largemouth Bass

Rock Bass

Tullibee (Cisco)

Hybrid Sunfish

Brown Bullhead

SLR

Bowfin

LKW

Mottled Sculpin

Bluntnose Minnow

Spottail Shiner

Logperch

Trout-Perch

Johnny Darter

Mimic Shiner

Tadpole Madtom

Black Bullhead

Smallmouth Bass

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Adventure To Go - Nisswa

Bertha Boatworks

Birch Island Outdoors

Brad Dwyer Outdoors

Crow Wing Kayaks

Dunham's Sports

Fish Lectronics of Nisswa

Fishy Gifts

Nearby Marinas

66 Marine North

66 marine north storage

Bay Lake Marine - Sales

Bay Lake Marine-Service

Bell Marine LLC

Boats and beyond - dock

Resorts & Lodges Near Pelican

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Pelican

Other Lakes in Crow Wing County

Adney

Agate

Allen

Ann

Anna

Arrowhead

Plan Your Trip to Pelican