Pelican Lake

[Huntin&Fishin]

Quote:

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Where on earth did you find that?? I have been looking for one on the lake, but never did find one.

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I was shocked, I've looked every where on the internet, and even e-mailed the DNR and they said they didn't even have one.

[09ultra]

Here is a response I got from the DNR on pelican:

Thank you for your interest in Pelican Lake! I enjoy fishing as much as I

do hunting, something that is shared by many Minnesotans. From a

professional standpoint the MN-DNR has a public mandate to manage and

improve our shallow lake resources primarily for wetland wildlife and plant

species. Pelican Lake is one of 40 designated wildlife lakes in MN and

arguably in the top 5 of importance.

Even without lake level control, Pelican Lake will in the future, winter

kill game fish. This has always been the case for Pelican and this is also

likely the reason various game fish species have done so well the last 4

years or so because of the lack of winter kill. Because Pelican Lake is a

designated wildlife lake aeration would not be considered unless it was to

the primary benefit of wildlife species and that is unlikely.

Pelican Lake has national and really global significance for migratory

wetland bird species. As such, we must direct our attention such that we

focus on wetland habitat improvement. Habitat conditions now are marginal

due to high water and primarily black bullhead and other "rough" fish

presence along with the temporarily expanding game fish populations.

90% of the lake bottom is mostly devoid of rooted aquatic

vegetation because sunlight can not penetrate more than 1 foot into the

water due to high turbidity in the summer.

We would, if possible, like to see both great game fish populations and

wildlife habitat, but great wildlife habitat conditions will require a

significant lowering of the lake to older historic levels with a subsequent

greater frequency of winter fish kills to restore the majority of the lake

to rooted aquatic plants and thus restore the lake to clear water

conditions. It is possible that once the lake is restored that game fish may

make a comeback for a number of years and in fact, "restoring" the lake periodically

may benefit game fish potential more than keeping stagnant turbid flooded conditions

over a long period. While periodic drawdowns of the lake are being planned,

the overall water level will only be 1.5 feet below the ordinary high water level over the long run.

The next severe winter, whether sooner or later, will rub the slate clean

in terms of game fish in Pelican Lake whether the lake level is managed or not.

Another issue that is not commonly discussed is that Pelican Lake is only

about 1.5 ft. in elevation from outletting overland on its own. If this

occurred it could have disastrous consequences, not only for the lake, but

for humans downstream. There is about 80 feet of fall between Pelican Lake

and the Crow River over a relatively short distance. It does not take an engineer

to figure out what could happen.

Wildlife staff has consulted closely with Fisheries staff in regards to

Pelican Lake. I sympathize with you over your concern for the current

fisheries in Pelican Lake, but my greater duty and responsibility is to try

and restore a hallmark shallow lake that really is a Minnesota wildlife

habitat treasure.

There will be a public meeting to discuss the Pelican Lake Restoration

Project in the next couple months. Look for notifications in the local

papers for the date, time and place.

Again, thank you for your special interest in Pelican Lake!

-Fred

Fred Bengtson

Area Wildlife Manager

940 Industrial Drive, #103

Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

320-255-4279 (office)

ext. 224

[smallie_hawgin]

Well here you go folks... We put together a better map for you.

Fred is absolutely right in his reply. BTW

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/montrose/pelican_depth.pdf

We also have some of the netting results we did in 2004.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/montrose/pelican_lake_survey.pdf

You can find most of our area related fisheries information on our Area website. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/montrose/index.html

Enjoy!

[zip308]

Thanks, are all new DNR maps like that?

[09ultra]

Great Information,Thanks!!

[TommyJ33]

Good stuff!

Start the draining! I grew up less than a mile off Pelican. You should have seen the ducks back in the early 80s. Mallards and woodies by the thousands would come off the lake on the opening two weekends. Divers galore all season. Now they fly right over

[Crazy4 Ice]

That was awesome information and I love the map

Thanks

I have been fishing this body of water since I moved to the area in 04 and have always had some luck landing the crappies. I was surprised how few folks have been out fishing until this year. I was out for the first time a week ago and the usual spot was PACKED with people, trucks, portables and permanents. It was always been a bit a challenge to get to the parts of the lake that look interesting with only one public access but now that I have a wheeler I'm able to get around a lot better. I've also been weary of the ice out there only driving my truck one year and that might have been 04 when you could still legally drive right off the road on the West side. I'm excited to try and find some of the larger crappies with the help of the map and my GPS before the inevitable freeze out happens. Drain or no Drain...the fishing and getting out to a large body of water close to home is nice to have available

[fish]

I am hoping for some help with access. I don't want to trespass on any land, cross cut down fences. It is my understanding that access can be legally gained south of 72nd st ne.

thanks