Pelican Lake, Grant County Fishing
Grant County, 3,761 acres, 21 feet deep.
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Key facts on Pelican Lake, Grant County
Pelican Lake, Grant County covers 3,761 acres of Grant County, by the LakeFinder record. The deepest hole runs 21 feet, with an average of 10 feet. Shallow water under 15 feet covers 3,042 acres, roughly 81% of the surface. The closest incorporated city is Ashby, about 3 miles away. DNR fisheries staff in Glenwood oversee it.
Fish recorded in DNR nets include walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. 1 public water access sit on the shore. DNR netting for the standard survey took place on June 23, 2025. The DNR counted 13.42 walleye per gill net, within its normal range of 3.2-15.3. Across 17 ice-out records the median date is April 8.
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Catch per net set from the standard survey dated June 23, 2025, beside the range the DNR treats as normal for similar lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 161 | 13.42 | 3.2-15.3 | 1.09 | 0.9-1.9 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.43 | 0.3-1.7 | 4.32 | 0.9-2.4 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 64 | 5.33 | 1.2-7.8 | 2.6 | 1.5-3.0 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 22 | 1.57 | 3.74 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 13 | 1.08 | 3.0-22.5 | 0.11 | 0.1-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 67 | 5.58 | 0.8-11.1 | 0.12 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 44 | 3.14 | 1.0-12.3 | 0.37 | 0.2-0.5 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 22 | 1.83 | 0.07 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 165 | 11.79 | 1.0-14.9 | 0.12 | 0.2-0.4 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard gill nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.3-1.8 | 1.43 | 0.3-1.1 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 18 | 1.29 | 0.1-0.8 | 3.11 | 0.4-1.5 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard trap nets | 2 | 0.14 | 0.2 | 4.88 | 2.5 |
Fish per species in the Pelican Lake, Grant County gill nets
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
What the survey report says about Pelican Lake, Grant County
“Pelican Lake is a large, relatively shallow, and highly productive basin located south of Ashby in Grant County.”
“Mean and maximum depths are 10 and 21 feet, respectively.”
“Pelican Lake is located within the Pomme de Terre River watershed.”
“Residential development is minimal and most of the immediate watershed is in agricultural production.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Pelican Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Boat landings on Pelican Lake, Grant County
- Pelican Lake Access near Ashby1 ramp, 10 trailer stalls, 1 dock, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Boat launches serving Pelican Lake, Grant County
- Christina Lake AccessChristina, 2 miles northeast
- Pomme De Terre Lake (E) AccessPomme de Terre, 5 miles southwest
- Pomme De Terre Lake (W) AccessPomme de Terre, 5 miles west
- Lee Lake Access near Elbow LakeLee, 6 miles southwest
- Thorstad Lake AccessThorstad, 6 miles southwest
- Sewell Lake AccessSewell, 6 miles north
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
How deep Pelican Lake, Grant County gets
Pelican Lake, Grant County has 7 clarity readings on file since 2009.
Ice has left Pelican Lake, Grant County as early as March 14, 2024 and as late as April 30, 2023.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Lake gauge on Pelican Lake, Grant County
This Pelican Lake, Grant County series is read by hand and logged by the DNR.
DNR lake level record (datum NGVD 29).
Species in the Pelican Lake, Grant County surveys
LakeFinder builds the Pelican Lake, Grant County list from survey catches; a fish not netted may still be present.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Rules for fishing Pelican Lake, Grant County
Nothing beyond the statewide rows is posted for Pelican Lake, Grant County.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye and sauger | 6 combined total (only 1 walleye over 20" in possession) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (not more than 2 over 26", all from 22-26" must be immediately released) | May 9, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Northern pike (North-central Zone) | 10 (either 2 northern pike over 26" and none from 22 to 26" or 1 from 22 to 26" and 1 over 26") | Nov. 15, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 except where prohibited |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Largemouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass (when smallmouth season is open) | May 23, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | March 1 – May 22, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | 6 combined total largemouth or smallmouth bass | May 23 – Sept. 13, 2026 |
| Smallmouth bass | Catch-and-release only | Sept. 14, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Crappie | 10 combined total | Continuous |
| Sunfish | 20 combined total | Continuous |
| Yellow perch | 20 daily, 40 in possession | Continuous |
| Muskellunge | 1 (minimum size 54") | June 6 – Nov. 30, 2026 |
| Channel catfish | 5 (only 1 over 24") | Continuous |
| Rock bass | 30 | Continuous |
| Cisco (tullibee) | 15 (over 7") | Continuous |
| Burbot (eelpout) | 4 | Continuous |
Pike and bass rows follow the North-central Zone, where the map puts Pelican Lake, Grant County; posted boundaries govern near the zone lines.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Nearby lakes against Pelican Lake, Grant County
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Lake, Grant County | 3,761 | 21 | 1 | 13.42 | |
| Anka Lake | 4 miles northeast | 130 | 10 | 0 | |
| Ina Lake | 4 miles east | 218 | 48 | 0 | |
| Christina Lake | 4 miles northeast | 3,971 | 14 | 1 | |
| Pomme De Terre Lake | 5 miles southwest | 1,816 | 23 | 3 | 11.92 |
| Sewell Lake | 6 miles north | 369 | 52 | 1 | 3.11 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
In the neighborhood of Pelican Lake, Grant County
Neighbor lakes around Pelican Lake, Grant County
- Anka Lake4 miles northeast
- Ina Lake4 miles east
- Christina Lake4 miles northeast
- Pomme De Terre Lake5 miles southwest
- Sewell Lake6 miles north
Bait and tackle closest to Pelican Lake, Grant County
- T & B's Short Stopfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Ashby, 3 miles
- Chumpy's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Elbow Lake, 10 miles
- Urbank Live Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Clitherall, 11 miles
- Ben's Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Battle Lake, 15 miles
- Big Foot Gas & Groceryfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Vining, 19 miles
- Musky Mayhem Tacklebait and tackle shop, Parkers Prairie, 20 miles
Minnesota towns closest to Pelican Lake, Grant County
- Ashby3 miles
- Evansville6 miles
- Dalton10 miles
Pelican Lake, Grant County, county lines
- Grant Countyseat: Elbow Lake
Piscifun gear suited to Pelican Lake, Grant County
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Pelican Lake, Grant County questions with short answers
What part of Minnesota holds Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Find it in Grant County, managed from the Glenwood fisheries office, about 3 miles from Ashby.
How deep is Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Roughly 3,761 acres, 21 feet at the deepest.
Which landing do I use on Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Try Pelican Lake Access near Ashby, one of 1 public access.
Which fish has the DNR netted in Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Survey records show walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How does Pelican Lake, Grant County compare in DNR nets?
The standard survey of June 23, 2025. walleye ran 13.42 per gill net.
Which DNR rules apply on Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Statewide inland limits apply; the North-central Zone rows cover pike and bass.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Pelican Lake, Grant County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the ice-out date for Pelican Lake, Grant County?
April 8 is the median; it went out April 10, 2026 most recently.
Which bait shop is closest to Pelican Lake, Grant County?
T & B's Short Stop is about 3 miles from the lake.
Spend a weekend on Pelican Lake, Grant County
Read the special regulations before you keep fish.