Pelican

Stearns County, Minnesota — DOW #73011800

182 Surveys

291.06

Acres

46 ft

Max Depth

17.4 ft

Mean Depth

14

Fish Species

4

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.

Brown Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.7 (normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.68 lb	4
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.10 lb	1
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.9 (above normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.87 lb	20
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	2.7 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.92 lb	16
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.5 (normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.97 lb	3
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	0.58 lb	1
2000-07-10	Standard electrofishing	0.6	—	1.92 lb	1
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.20 lb	1
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.4 – 2.1	1.24 lb	1
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	8.2 (above normal)	0.5 – 2.5	0.93 lb	49

Yellow Perch

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.15 lb	2
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	15.1 (above normal)	0.5 – 3.3	—	106
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	1.3 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.18 lb	8
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	0.8	—	—	6
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.10 lb	1
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	6.6	—	—	5
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.11 lb	1
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	—	1
2000-07-10	Survey seining	2.3	—	0.04 lb	9
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	3.4 – 43.6	0.10 lb	1
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.5 – 3.3	0.10 lb	1

Green Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	—	1
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	—	1
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 2.3	0.03 lb	2
2000-07-10	Survey seining	0.5	—	0.01 lb	2

Yellow Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	2.4 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.45 lb	12
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	7.7 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.61 lb	46
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	3.8 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.70 lb	23
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	1.6 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.78 lb	11
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.7 (below normal)	1.3 – 9.8	1.11 lb	6
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	2.0 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.85 lb	12
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	6.5 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.60 lb	39
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	3.3 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.53 lb	30
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	5.0 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.81 lb	20
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	2.6 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.81 lb	23
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.75 lb	16
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	2.3 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.76 lb	21
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	24.8 (above normal)	1.0 – 10.5	0.65 lb	149
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	6.0 (normal)	1.3 – 9.8	0.63 lb	42

Northern Pike

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	18.8 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	0.88 lb	94
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	0.63 lb	3
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	11.5 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.75 lb	69
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	2.02 lb	2
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	0.1	—	—	1
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	25.2 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.40 lb	151
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	1.0	—	1.01 lb	9
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	10.5 (normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.57 lb	63
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	2.47 lb	4
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	34.3 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.48 lb	137
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	1.18 lb	7
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	18.7 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.56 lb	112
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	0.3	—	3.10 lb	3
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	13.0 (above normal)	3.5 – 10.5	1.39 lb	78
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	1.15 lb	6

Hybrid Sunfish

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.50 lb	1
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.5	—	0.40 lb	3
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	—	4
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.4	—	0.23 lb	3
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.10 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.8	—	0.36 lb	7
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.54 lb	2
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	1.6	—	0.48 lb	14
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.03 lb	1
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	1.2	—	0.30 lb	11
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	1.1	—	0.25 lb	10
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	0.9	—	0.17 lb	6

Common Carp

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.6	9.00 lb	1
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.2 – 0.6	5.18 lb	1

Walleye

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	1.2 (below normal)	1.3 – 5.0	0.45 lb	6
1993-07-12	Standard electrofishing	4.3	—	0.23 lb	4
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	8.7 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.99 lb	52
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.4 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	1.30 lb	3
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	6.8 (above normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.72 lb	41
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 0.7	2.40 lb	5
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	2.8 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	2.89 lb	17
2000-07-10	Standard electrofishing	2.4	—	4.20 lb	4
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	3.60 lb	6
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	2.5 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.83 lb	15
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.7	4.17 lb	1
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	1.3 – 5.0	1.62 lb	16

Bluegill

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.6	—	0.10 lb	3
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	41.0 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.15 lb	246
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	18.5	—	0.10 lb	111
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	53.9 (above normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.10 lb	377
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	1.8	—	0.21 lb	11
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	33.1	—	—	25
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	9.7 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.17 lb	87
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	5.0	—	—	5
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	31.1	—	—	249
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	5.0	—	0.43 lb	30
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	11.8 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.12 lb	106
2000-07-10	Survey seining	46.5	—	—	186
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	2.3	—	0.11 lb	9
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	29.4 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.13 lb	265
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.7	—	0.14 lb	4
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	42.3 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.09 lb	381
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	20.9 (normal)	6.1 – 46.6	0.10 lb	146
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	2.7	—	0.21 lb	16

Black Bullhead

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.8 – 7.7	1.20 lb	4
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.6 (normal)	0.3 – 3.2	1.16 lb	4
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	1.2 (normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.93 lb	7
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.7 (below normal)	0.8 – 7.7	0.99 lb	4
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	2.3 (normal)	0.8 – 7.7	1.03 lb	9
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	1.7 (normal)	0.8 – 7.7	1.01 lb	10

Pumpkinseed

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.7 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.11 lb	10
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	2.0	—	0.03 lb	12
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	2.1 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.14 lb	15
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2	—	0.18 lb	1
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	4.0	—	—	3
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.4 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.23 lb	4
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	2.1	—	—	17
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.2	—	0.38 lb	7
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	2.4 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.21 lb	22
2000-07-10	Survey seining	2.5	—	0.05 lb	10
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.04 lb	1
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.6 (below normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.20 lb	5
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.15 lb	18
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.3	—	0.20 lb	2
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	2.0 (normal)	2.0 – 8.5	0.10 lb	14

Bowfin

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	1.8 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.58 lb	11
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.7 (above normal)	0.3 – 0.6	2.86 lb	4
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	3.7 (above normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.51 lb	26
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	1.3	—	—	1
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.34 lb	3
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	4.96 lb	2
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.4 – 1.3	2.80 lb	3
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	0.9 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.96 lb	8
1988-07-18	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.4 – 1.3	3.17 lb	7
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 0.6	3.40 lb	1

Black Crappie

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1982-07-19	Standard trap nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.60 lb	2
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.76 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.31 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.68 lb	2
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	1.8 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.73 lb	11
2000-07-10	Standard electrofishing	0.6	—	1.19 lb	1
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	2.7 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.31 lb	16
2016-07-05	Standard trap nets	1.0 (normal)	0.7 – 3.4	0.11 lb	9
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	2.2 (normal)	0.6 – 3.5	0.31 lb	13

Largemouth Bass

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
1993-07-12	Standard electrofishing	70.5	—	0.98 lb	66
1993-07-12	Standard gill nets	0.8 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.71 lb	5
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.52 lb	1
2010-07-06	Standard electrofishing	104.6	—	0.97 lb	103
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	3.6	—	—	29
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	8.0	—	—	6
2010-07-06	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	1.04 lb	1
2023-07-10	Standard electrofishing	42.2	—	1.08 lb	74
2023-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.77 lb	2
2023-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.21 lb	3
2000-07-10	Standard electrofishing	27.4	—	1.40 lb	45
2000-07-10	Survey seining	4.3	—	0.01 lb	17
2000-07-10	Standard trap nets	0.1 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.3	0.11 lb	1
2016-07-05	Standard electrofishing	92.1	—	1.30 lb	112
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.3 – 1.7	1.22 lb	1
1988-07-18	Standard gill nets	0.3 (normal)	0.3 – 1.7	0.15 lb	2

Spottail Shiner

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1
2000-07-10	Survey seining	1.0	—	4

BCS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
1993-07-12	Standard trap nets	0.1	—	1
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	1.3	—	1
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	6.6	—	53

Johnny Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	3.0	—	3
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	0.8	—	6
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	1.3	—	1
2000-07-10	Survey seining	0.8	—	3

CNM

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	0.3	—	2
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	8.0	—	6

Brook Trout

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	6.9	—	55
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	2285.0	—	2285

BNS

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	11.3	—	90
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	5.3	—	4

Bluntnose Minnow

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	55.3	—	442
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	59.6	—	45
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	183.0	—	183
2000-07-10	Survey seining	8.3	—	33

BKF

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	15-ft beach seine	3.5	—	28
2010-07-06	Backpack electrofishing	6.6	—	5
2000-07-10	Survey seining	17.3	—	69

LED

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	4.0	—	4

Iowa Darter

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Total Catch
2010-07-06	50-ft beach seine	2.0	—	2
2000-07-10	Survey seining	0.5	—	2

White Sucker

Date	Gear	CPUE	Normal Range	Avg Weight	Total Catch
2000-07-10	Standard gill nets	0.3 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	3.03 lb	1
2016-07-05	Standard gill nets	0.2 (below normal)	0.5 – 2.7	4.09 lb	1

Depth Maps & Lake Info

View on MN DNR LakeFinder

Map & Directions

Showing 14 nearby bait & tackle shops on the map.

Nearby Bait & Tackle

Nearby Marinas

BK's Dock's

Cold Spring, MN

★ 5

Butler Park

St Cloud, MN

Channel Marine & Sports Inc

Richmond, MN

★ 4.3

Lake George Boat House

St Cloud, MN

★ 5

Marina E. Bahmer, CNS

St Cloud, MN

Miller Marine

St Cloud, MN

★ 4.7

Resorts & Lodges Near Pelican

Plan your stay — fishing resorts and lodges near Pelican.

Loch Nest Resort

Fishing Resort Kimball

320-271-6880

Maple Hill Resort

Fishing Resort South Haven

(612) 590-3630

Ruegemer's Island View Resort, Inc.

Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 597-2000

Aunt Kay's Cabin

Fishing Resort Richmond

(320) 266-2802

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 Walleye White Sucker Yellow Bullhead Yellow Perch

Fishing Guides Near Pelican

Central MN Fishing Adventures

(320) 266-8238

J Rev Outdoors LLC

(320) 761-0685

predator guide service

(320) 253-7535

Slab Seeker Fishing Guide Service

(320) 428-5174

Other Lakes in Stearns County

Achman

Beaver

Becker

Big Fish

Big Spunk

Big

Plan Your Trip to Pelican

Weather forecast for Pelican — check wind, rain, and temperature before you go
GPS: 45.6546°N, 94.4847°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.