Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County Fishing
Otter Tail County, 3,962 acres, 55 feet deep.
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Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County, the basics
Count on 3,962 acres of water at Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County, a lake in Otter Tail County. The DNR depth record tops out at 55 feet, with an average of 23.3 feet. Roughly 41% of the water (1,608 acres) sits shallower than 15 feet. For supplies, Pelican Rapids sits about 9 miles from the lake point. Management falls to the Fergus Falls area fisheries office. The DNR lists it as a muskie lake (introduced population).
DNR sampling has turned up walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. The DNR access layer lists 2 public water accesses. DNR crews completed a standard survey on July 22, 2024. Walleye came in at 11.58 per gill net, above the normal range for similar lakes (3.3-8.8). Ice goes out around April 19 in a typical year (11 records).
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Figures are from the July 22, 2024 standard survey, with the normal range for comparable lakes.
| Species | Gear | Caught | Per set | Normal range | Avg lb | Normal lb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | Standard gill nets | 139 | 11.58 | 3.3-8.8 | 0.89 | 1.2-2.1 |
| Walleye | Standard trap nets | 14 | 1.17 | 0.2-0.8 | 2.14 | 1.0-2.7 |
| Northern pike | Standard gill nets | 29 | 2.42 | 2.8-9.0 | 3.16 | 1.6-2.8 |
| Northern pike | Standard trap nets | 5 | 0.42 | 2.48 | ||
| Yellow perch | Standard gill nets | 227 | 18.92 | 7.0-46.3 | 0.1 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Yellow perch | Standard trap nets | 4 | 0.33 | 0.6-3.5 | 0.09 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Black crappie | Standard gill nets | 3 | 0.25 | 0.4-2.7 | 1.08 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Black crappie | Standard trap nets | 6 | 0.5 | 0.4-2.3 | 0.54 | 0.3-0.6 |
| Bluegill | Standard gill nets | 61 | 5.08 | 0.49 | ||
| Bluegill | Standard trap nets | 126 | 10.5 | 4.4-49.0 | 0.26 | 0.1-0.2 |
| Largemouth bass | Standard trap nets | 7 | 0.58 | 0.3-1.3 | 1.16 | 0.2-0.8 |
| Smallmouth bass | Standard gill nets | 58 | 4.83 | 0.1-0.9 | 1.82 | 0.9-2.0 |
Gill net results from Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder lake survey data, survey report. Checked October 2026.
DNR biologists on Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
“Pelican Lake is a 3,986-acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwestern Otter Tail County approximately seven miles north of Pelican Rapids, MN.”
“Pelican Lake is within the Otter Tail River Watershed.”
“The southern portion of the lake (309 acres) is referred to as Fish Lake.”
“Pelican Lake is connected to Little Pelican Lake and Lake Lizzie via the Pelican River.”
Quoted from the DNR status of the fishery for Pelican Lake (report). Checked October 2026.
Reaching Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County by boat
- Pelican Lake (W) Access near Pelican Rapids2 ramps, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
- Pelican Lake (E) Access1 ramp, 20 trailer stalls, 1 dock, toilet, DNR Division of Parks and Trails
Landings around Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County on the map
- Franklin Lake (N) AccessFranklin, 3 miles southeast
- Maud Lake AccessMaud, 4 miles north
- Lake Eunice AccessEunice, 4 miles northeast
- Tamarac Lake AccessTamarac, 4 miles southwest
- Franklin Lake (NE) AccessFranklin, 4 miles southeast
- Lake Ida AccessIda, 5 miles northwest
Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites and Public Fishing Sites layers and LakeFinder, checked October 2026.
Shallows and depth on Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
The clarity record for Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County holds 5 Secchi readings going back to 2008.
The DNR record shows Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County opening as early as March 31, 2016 and as late as May 13, 2013.
DNR LakeFinder morphology and water clarity, DNR ice-out records (ice-out data), checked October 2026.
Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County level reading
The DNR lake level record for Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County is a manual gauge series, so the latest entry carries its date rather than a live value.
DNR lake level record (datum MSL 1912).
Species the DNR has recorded in Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
DNR survey crews recorded each fish on this Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County list.
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder species list and survey catch.
Fish you may keep from Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
No special regulation names Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County, so the statewide inland rows apply.
| 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 |
The pike and bass rows shown are the North-central Zone rows, the zone Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County falls in.
2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations and LakeFinder special regulations, checked October 2026. All Minnesota limits.
Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County next to nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Accesses | Walleye per gill net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County | 3,962 | 55 | 2 | 11.58 | |
| Fish Lake near Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail County | 2 miles south | 293 | 69 | 0 | 4.67 |
| Little Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County | 3 miles east | 366 | 25 | 0 | 2.56 |
| Eunice Lake | 4 miles northeast | 378 | 30 | 1 | 0.78 |
| Tamarac Lake | 4 miles southwest | 445 | 11 | 1 | |
| Maud Lake | 4 miles northeast | 517 | 32 | 1 | 1.56 |
DNR LakeFinder morphology, access layer and latest survey per lake.
Around Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County, up close
Lakes worth a look near Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
- Fish Lake near Pelican Rapids, Otter Tail County2 miles south
- Little Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County3 miles east
- Eunice Lake4 miles northeast
- Tamarac Lake4 miles southwest
- Maud Lake4 miles northeast
Tackle stops on the way to Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
- Clay County Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Hawley, 9 miles
- Park Region Sportssporting goods store, Pelican Rapids, 10 miles
- J & K Marinamarina, Detroit Lakes, 11 miles
- Lakes Sport Shopsporting goods store, Detroit Lakes, 12 miles
- Quality Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Detroit Lakes, 12 miles
- Four Cornersfarm and general store with fishing supplies, Detroit Lakes, 18 miles
Overnight bases for Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
- Pelican Rapids9 miles
- Vergas11 miles
- Detroit Lakes11 miles
Counties surrounding Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
- Otter Tail Countyseat: Fergus Falls
Piscifun reels to pack for Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
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Reader questions on Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
How far is Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County from a city?
It lies in Otter Tail County, managed from the Fergus Falls fisheries office, about 9 miles from Pelican Rapids.
How much surface water does LakeFinder give Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County?
3,962 acres, 55 feet at the deepest.
Can I trailer a boat onto Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County?
There are 2 public accesses; Pelican Lake (W) Access near Pelican Rapids is the largest.
Does Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County have walleye?
The DNR has recorded walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass.
How recent is the Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County survey?
Most recently on July 22, 2024 (standard survey). walleye ran 11.58 per gill net.
Does Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County have special regulations?
Only statewide limits, North-central Zone for pike and bass.
Is a trout stamp needed on Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County?
Minnesota residents 16 to 89 need an angling license ($25 for the year); nonresidents 16 and older pay $51.
What is the water clarity of Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County?
Median ice-out is April 19; the last recorded ice-out was March 31, 2016.
Is there a bait and tackle stop near Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County?
Clay County Bait Shop is nearest at 9 miles.
Head for Pelican Lake, Otter Tail County
License fees and every statewide limit are on the license page.