Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Pelican Draining...


Recommended Posts

Question for all the people saying there are no ducks in mn.

What comes first, the habitat or the ducks?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 386
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • RumRiverRat

    40

  • 20lbSloughShark

    33

  • GIANT1

    28

  • eyeguy 54

    20

I think they should just make a separate forumn entitled "Draining Pelican".

Already have that it's called silly town

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

I thought silly town was called brain draining...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope St Micheal annexes the land around Pelican so it is closed to hunting.

Drain, close it to all human activity and life will be good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Question for all the people saying there are no ducks in mn.

What comes first, the habitat or the ducks?

Ding ding ding! We're loosing habitat at an astounding rate. How many thousand lakes in mn have fish? And how many dozen big bodies of water have habitat like Pelican? We're not gonna loose "10,000+" fishermen, they'll just go somewhere else. I'm with rrr on this. Close it down, or at least greatly restrict hunter numbers, & let the birds flourish. Then let em come back next year & flourish some more. You do need to allow some hunting to keep it from becoming a preserve and drawing in every bird in the area, draining every other pond of ducks and geese, but we need more spots like this in mn

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your right, how many lakes have habitat like pelican? For pike I'd put it right up there with mille lacs, right below LOW and URL, maybe close to Rainy. So your going to turn it into a swamp in the middle of 3 big and growing towns.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You really want to compare this chemical filled farm pond to l.o.w or red? How are these even close to the same fisheries? Have you ever seen a 40+ northern come out of pelican?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, many. My first time out on pelican I got a 36" pike. The average is nearly 5 pounds for us. The guys who have been fishing the lake for any time have plenty of 20 lb+ fish to show for it. Yes I will compare it to the big lakes. Oviously it is a different story for walleye...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pelicans brightest future would be becoming a preserve, it would have a chance at holding ducks this way. Otherwise after the drain just consider it as the same pond with less water and fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Blame farming practices on habitat loss. Just because the lake will be lowered that won't change the flyway that no longer goes through MN. Go to ND if you want to hunt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why? There aren't any fish in mille lacs! And the DNR seems dead set on keeping it that way.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I mentioned Mille Lacs because his location says Mille Lacs. Insert whatever lake you would like too.

Also making the point that telling people to hunt elsewhere is a terrible argument, and can be turned right back around very easily.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your right, how many lakes have habitat like pelican? For pike I'd put it right up there with mille lacs, right below LOW and URL, maybe close to Rainy. So your going to turn it into a swamp in the middle of 3 big and growing towns.

It already is a swamp, just a little too deep right now.

Pike eat too many ducklings on Pelican so I say exterminate the Pike by draining the lake.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well, if this many people support it, the lake has no chance. I doubt it would be a good lake for long considering its location. There are other lakes I can fish, it will just cost me an arm an a leg to drive to any good ones. No, there is nothing else like it in wright county.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Clearwater is in wright county and is capable of producing equal if not greater results, but most people will not put in the time or effort to learn the structure/habits of the lake. Pelican is just a easy limited structure lake thats is relatively easy to fish without to put in too much work/homework. I had my house on pelican long before the surge and i can say even then it was no clearwater just a bit closer for me. How many +18" crappies, 1 lbs plus sunnies, +40" pike, or any walleyes have came out of Pelican? It is a good lake but not the best, or only option, just the easiest to fish

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tonka, waconia, Clearwater, independence, the Mississippi, horseshoe chain, lake Sarah, buffalo, sugar lake, maple lake. The list goes on that are better fishing and within $20 of fuel to get to

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lake sarah and maple lake, really? I've fished every one of those lakes you listed, and only minnetonka compares, its just too far for me. Clearwater can be good for walleye and crappie if you break you back drilling holes and looking. As far a 40"+ pike, clearwater isn't even in the same league as pelican.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

breaking your back drilling holes is how people find fish. If it wasn't for people willing to put in that labor you would not be fishing pelican at present day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If pelican is this world class fishery you keep claiming it to be then why do so many people spend hundreds of dollars to drive right by this lake to go anywhere else? Sounds like you just need some education in finding and working structure maybe this is why your sad your losing a structure less pond

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lake sarah and maple lake, really? I've fished every one of those lakes you listed, and only minnetonka compares, its just too far for me. Clearwater can be good for walleye and crappie if you break you back drilling holes and looking. As far a 40"+ pike, clearwater isn't even in the same league as pelican.

How many years experience is this based from

Link to comment
Share on other sites

breaking your back drilling holes is how people find fish. If it wasn't for people willing to put in that labor you would not be fishing pelican at present day.

+1000000 wink

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'll admit it I would like to be better at fishing strucure. I get sick of drilling after like 15 holes. I just don't have the auger for it. I don't need very much experience to know sarah and maple are not even on the same level. Clearwater I have fished my whole life, and it is one of my favorites, but I would never expect a trophy pike from the lake. I would be surprised by a 30"+. They are in there, just very rare. If I had hundreds of dollars, I would drive other places too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If pelican is this world class fishery you keep claiming it to be then why do so many people spend hundreds of dollars to drive right by this lake to go anywhere else? Sounds like you just need some education in finding and working structure maybe this is why your sad your losing a structure less pond

sounds like you hit the nail right on the head !!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That solves it. We need to not drain the lake so SloughShark can save money on gas.

I have changed my mind.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I dont live too far from Pelican at all,within 10 miles.Its the closest fishable lake to me and Ive been there maybe 6 times in my life,and have never hunted it.Theres way better lakes,and if I were to keep alot of fish to eat I wouldnt want to eat them out of there anyways,the water quality is dump.I cant imagine the fish taste any good.What are the summer water temps? 100+ degrees? Ick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Its a longer drive to pelican for me, about 20 miles, and completely worth it. I live a mile from clearwater, and a few hundred feet from cedar, so I have spent lots of time on both those lakes. If you ask me, cedar is one of the worst lakes in the area, but clearwater is great. But thats not what this is about. Pelican is a great lake, and its going to be ruined. I just don't get your thinking. Its a great fishing lake now, mediocre to bad hunting, so you want to ruin it in hopes that there is a slight chance you can get a few ducks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you ask me, cedar is one of the worst lakes in the area, but clearwater is great.

I don't understand how you can say this crazy cedar is one of the best crappie lakes around and I know a few guys that have been doing very well out there this year spearing Northerns !! not sure what your doing wrong on area lakes but with 40+ years fishing on local lakes Im doing just fine no need to drive to pelican . Bust your back and put your time in its well worth the rewards grin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • smurfy
      i cant help you with the weed thing, but i just came back form out that way......Regal, New London Hawick area. i dont no how big the swat of rain was but there is water standing everywhere. my buddy told me they had over 3 inches of rain yesterday/last night 
    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.