Pelican

St. Louis County, Minnesota — DOW #69084100

202 Surveys

Special Regulations for Pelican

This lake has regulations that differ from statewide defaults. Always check before fishing.

All from 14-20" must be immediately released. One over 20" allowed in possession.

11,546.3

Acres

38 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.

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.89 lb	7
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	3.6 (below normal)	42.1 – 130.3	1.07 lb	43
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.52 lb	5
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.5 (below normal)	42.1 – 130.3	0.72 lb	8
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	42.1 – 130.3	0.93 lb	1
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.56 lb	18
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	130.3 (normal)	42.1 – 130.3	0.49 lb	1433
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.90 lb	19
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.79 lb	15
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	9.4 (below normal)	42.1 – 130.3	0.82 lb	113
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.2 – 1.9	0.57 lb	6
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.8 (below normal)	42.1 – 130.3	0.93 lb	34

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.7 – 19.7	0.87 lb	19
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	5.9 (below normal)	9.4 – 25.8	0.94 lb	71
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	2.9 (normal)	0.7 – 19.7	1.02 lb	64
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.1 (below normal)	9.4 – 25.8	0.81 lb	61
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.7 – 19.7	0.84 lb	13
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	5.3 (below normal)	9.4 – 25.8	1.01 lb	64
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	19.7 (above normal)	0.7 – 19.7	0.51 lb	217
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	9.4 (below normal)	9.4 – 25.8	0.53 lb	103
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	1.8 (normal)	0.7 – 19.7	0.62 lb	43
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	13.3 (normal)	9.4 – 25.8	0.63 lb	159
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 19.7	0.85 lb	22
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	6.3 (below normal)	9.4 – 25.8	0.69 lb	75

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	2.9 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.19 lb	66
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	26.6 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.17 lb	319
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.13 lb	17
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	44.3 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.14 lb	665
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	1.2 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.14 lb	21
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	29.6 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.15 lb	355
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.14 lb	7
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	5.5 (normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.19 lb	61
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	2.6 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.11 lb	41
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	44.8 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.11 lb	538
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.7	—	—	43
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	2.1 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.15 lb	51
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	18.4 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.11 lb	221
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.7 (normal)	0.4 – 1.9	0.12 lb	39
1998-07-22	Survey seining	23.0	—	—	92
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	22.0 (above normal)	1.9 – 7.1	0.19 lb	264

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	9.9 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	2.02 lb	119
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	2.23 lb	19
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	22.2 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	2.41 lb	333
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	1.3	—	2.00 lb	28
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	10.4 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	2.29 lb	125
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.6	—	2.32 lb	10
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	8.6 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	1.95 lb	95
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	1.98 lb	5
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	11.9 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	2.17 lb	143
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	2.17 lb	16
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	2.4	—	1.74 lb	142
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	9.8 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	1.55 lb	117
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.06 lb	19
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	6.3 (above normal)	1.2 – 3.6	2.06 lb	75
1998-07-22	Special trap nets	5.8	—	1.69 lb	670
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	1.87 lb	10

Golden Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.6 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.08 lb	7
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.0	—	0.06 lb	1
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.10 lb	4
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.07 lb	3
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.3 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.07 lb	4
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.08 lb	1
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.05 lb	1
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.5 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.10 lb	6
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.07 lb	1
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.1	—	—	3
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.3 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.09 lb	4
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.2	0.09 lb	1

Rock Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.46 lb	1
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.45 lb	13
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.68 lb	3
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.29 lb	15
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.44 lb	2
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.42 lb	9
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.60 lb	2
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.20 lb	5
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.24 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.34 lb	19
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.36 lb	7
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.30 lb	11
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.2	0.34 lb	6
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 1.0	0.26 lb	9

Smallmouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.9 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.72 lb	11
2007-07-23	Standard electrofishing	64.5	—	0.71 lb	252
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.3 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.7	2.16 lb	19
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.4	2.57 lb	2
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.86 lb	9
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.4	3.58 lb	1
2016-07-25	Standard electrofishing	26.1	—	1.52 lb	65
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	1.2 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.45 lb	14
2006-06-01	Standard electrofishing	48.2	—	0.51 lb	190
2011-06-08	Standard electrofishing	31.3	—	1.04 lb	110
1995-05-24	Standard electrofishing	17.8	—	0.33 lb	111
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	0.44 lb	7
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	0.0 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.4	0.37 lb	1
1998-07-22	Standard electrofishing	48.3	—	0.44 lb	228
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.22 lb	6

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	3.70 lb	13
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	5.15 lb	5
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	2.1 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	2.95 lb	32
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	3.34 lb	3
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	3.4 (normal)	3.1 – 9.8	2.38 lb	41
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	9.45 lb	1
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	3.69 lb	14
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.45 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	2.3 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	1.93 lb	27
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	8.38 lb	1
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.1	—	—	3
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.6 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	3.09 lb	7
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.8 (below normal)	3.1 – 9.8	2.27 lb	21
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	2.34 lb	2

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.89 lb	13
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.08 lb	13
2007-07-23	Standard electrofishing	54.0	—	1.08 lb	211
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.10 lb	22
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.25 lb	15
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.9 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.50 lb	11
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.63 lb	7
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	1.04 lb	5
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.10 lb	1
2016-07-25	Standard electrofishing	21.3	—	1.65 lb	53
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.64 lb	10
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	2.3 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.19 lb	36
2006-06-01	Standard electrofishing	31.2	—	0.99 lb	123
2011-06-08	Standard electrofishing	18.8	—	1.93 lb	66
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.2	—	—	11
1995-05-24	Standard electrofishing	14.9	—	1.75 lb	93
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.7 (normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.48 lb	8
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	2.0 (above normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.19 lb	48
1998-07-22	Standard electrofishing	20.8	—	1.14 lb	98
1998-07-22	Survey seining	11.8	—	—	47
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	0.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 0.8	0.40 lb	10
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.1 – 0.7	0.23 lb	6

Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.87 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	4.1	—	0.77 lb	49
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	1.04 lb	4
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	3.0	—	—	175

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	8.6	—	0.14 lb	103
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.11 lb	68
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	13.5	—	0.17 lb	203
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	7.9 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.21 lb	174
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	4.3	—	0.18 lb	51
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	3.1 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.15 lb	56
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	5.1	—	0.14 lb	56
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	20.0 (above normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.09 lb	220
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	8.4	—	0.19 lb	101
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	3.9 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.16 lb	62
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.5	—	—	28
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	9.4	—	0.27 lb	113
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	3.9 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.25 lb	93
1998-07-22	Survey seining	43.0	—	—	172
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.34 lb	28
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	1.1 (normal)	0.8 – 8.7	0.25 lb	25

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.17 lb	22
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.14 lb	19
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	4.6	—	0.16 lb	69
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	6.1 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.22 lb	135
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.14 lb	4
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.8 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.13 lb	14
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	4.6	—	0.11 lb	51
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	3.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.10 lb	33
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.9	—	0.20 lb	11
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.12 lb	16
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	4.9	—	0.20 lb	59
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.23 lb	23
1998-07-22	Survey seining	0.3	—	—	1
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	0.18 lb	32
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.4	0.17 lb	10

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	1.98 lb	3
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.0 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.98 lb	1
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	2.48 lb	17
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	0.1 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	2.92 lb	1
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	3.90 lb	1
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	0.4 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	2.70 lb	4
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	3.67 lb	3
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	3.31 lb	2
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.63 lb	1
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	0.1	—	—	6
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	1.22 lb	3
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	1.1 (below normal)	2.8 – 6.7	2.35 lb	13
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 3.0	2.62 lb	5

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2001-07-23	Standard gill nets	9.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.28 lb	117
2001-07-23	Standard trap nets	6.0 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.19 lb	138
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	8.1 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.20 lb	122
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	8.1 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.21 lb	177
2012-07-30	Standard gill nets	25.8 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.11 lb	309
2012-07-30	Standard trap nets	11.7 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.17 lb	210
1986-08-19	Standard gill nets	1.7 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.41 lb	19
1986-08-19	Standard trap nets	8.3 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.24 lb	91
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	9.9 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.25 lb	119
2016-07-25	Standard trap nets	8.3 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.27 lb	132
2016-04-19	Special trap nets	1.6	—	—	97
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	4.5 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.35 lb	54
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	3.6 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.33 lb	87
1998-07-22	Survey seining	1.8	—	—	7
1998-07-22	Standard gill nets	5.3 (above normal)	0.2 – 1.4	0.36 lb	63
1998-07-22	Standard trap nets	4.3 (above normal)	1.6 – 3.3	0.25 lb	98

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2007-07-23	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	0.33 lb	1
1995-05-24	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.51 lb	1
1995-05-24	Standard trap nets	0.0	—	0.26 lb	1

Tadpole Madtom

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2007-07-23	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.05 lb	1

Common Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2016-07-25	Standard gill nets	0.1	—	0.11 lb	1

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

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Crane Lake, MN

(218) 780-6430

★ 4.9

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4190

★ 4.5

Arrowhead Lodge

Kabetogama, MN

(218) 875-2141

★ 4.7

Bill's Boat Storage

Ely, MN

(218) 235-9824

★ 5

Birch Point Marine

Tower, MN

(218) 753-4404

★ 4.5

BP Marine Plus

Two Harbors, MN

(218) 830-2216

★ 5

Resorts & Lodges Near Pelican

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Pelican.

C&B Rentals

Fishing Resort Hibbing

(952) 356-5234

Espland's

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 365-5282

Lake Vermilion Ice Fishing

Fishing Resort Tower

(218) 290-2435

Piney Woods Retreat in Ely, Minnesota - Vacation Cabin Rental

Fishing Resort Ely

(218) 235-1212

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 Largemouth Bass Northern Pike Pumpkinseed Rock Bass Smallmouth Bass Walleye White Sucker Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Pelican

218 Sportfishing

Fishing Guide

(218) 409-4744

Angler Management Duluth Charters

Fishing Guide

(218) 390-7933

Basswood Trails Guide Service

(218) 349-5226

(651) 270-7155

(218) 393-7121

Chasin' Tail Charters MN

Fishing Guide

(320) 980-6667

View all 33 guides →

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Plan Your Trip to Pelican

Weather forecast for Pelican — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 48.0619°N, 92.9059°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

Special Regulations for Pelican

DNR Fish Surveys

Black Bullhead

Brown Bullhead

Yellow Perch

Northern Pike

Golden Shiner

Rock Bass

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Largemouth Bass

Bullhead

Bluegill

Pumpkinseed

White Sucker

Black Crappie

Hybrid Sunfish

Tadpole Madtom

Common Shiner

Depth Maps & Lake Info

Map & Directions

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Arrowhead Outdoors

Bass Pro Shops

Benders

Brimson Sportsman Corner

Canadian Waters Inc

Canoe Country Outfitters

Cenex

Cliff Wold's Outfitting Co.

Nearby Marinas

Anderson's Canoe Outfitters

Aronson Boat Works Inc

Arrowhead Lodge

Bill's Boat Storage

Birch Point Marine

BP Marine Plus

Resorts & Lodges Near Pelican

Fish Species

Fishing Guides Near Pelican

Other Lakes in St. Louis County

Aerie

Agassa

Agnes

Alden

Alruss

Angleworm

Plan Your Trip to Pelican