Pelican Lake, Minnesota: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Pelican Lake in the Crow Wing County part of Minnesota. It lies 1,198 feet above sea level. Breezy Point lies 2.9 miles from the water. Nisswa is 6.5 miles away, with Crosslake at 6.9 miles. Water in the same corner: West Twin Lake roughly 1.6 miles, Young Lake just 1.7 miles, Markee Lake roughly 1.9 miles, Lougee Lake just 1.9 miles and East Twin Lake roughly 1.9 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Pelican Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Reported across Crow Wing County: largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike and pumpkinseed. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. The near bank of Pelican Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages here run 69°F at the top of summer and 8°F at the bottom of winter. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The lid usually goes in mid April, which opens the strongest weeks of the year. Ice usually gives way near mid April, and forms again about late November. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. That shapes the year on Pelican Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is West Twin Lake, 1.6 miles out. For Pelican Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.