Pelican supposedly has crappies in it. Also has blue gills and bass - smallmouth and largemouth, but I say supposedly. Last I heard, the fishing has been pretty bad, but I haven't fished it for a few years. The lake has a problem with winterkill because it is so shallow. The last winterkill was in 2001. Also in 2001, the DNR did a survey and found nothing but a ton of bullheads. They then did another survey in 2004 and found a ton of bullheads, but also found bluegills, bass, crappies and northerns in very small numbers. The lake can comeback, but it has had problems. I heard they were going to drain it and try to increase the duck population. That was supposed to happen quite a while ago. The DNR now is planning on contructing an outlet so they can control the lake level. But the caveate is they are not doing this to help the fishing there, they are doing it in conjuction with Ducks Unlimited, Minnesota Waterfowl Association and Pheasants Forever... so you can see where their heads are at.
Thank you so much for the info. I had heard about the plans to drain the lake but have also heard about recent major size crappies being taken out. Also on the look out for new waters to try. My shop is in Big Lake so needing places to seek out of work and find fish. This weather gives me another few days ( at least ) for more investigations. Thanks again!!
...trout that doesn't think two jumps and several runs ahead of the average fisherman is mighty apt to get fried. ~ Beatrice Cook, Till Fish Do Us Part, 1949
