How to Fish Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 42-48°F. Pre-spawn walleyes moving from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning grounds, staging in transition areas Most active during low-light periods due to moderate water clarity (2.3m Secchi), feeding opportunistically near structure Key locations: Rocky points and shallow gravel areas adjacent to deeper water; Transition areas between deep basins and spawning flats in 8-15 foot range; Wind-swept shorelines with emerging vegetation. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with slow, deliberate presentations, Live Bait Rigs with minnows near transition areas, Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom contours. Primary forage: Small minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas, Juvenile perch near emerging vegetation, Bluegills in protected areas with vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Pelican Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-60°F. Pre-spawn largemouth bass are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower staging areas, particularly near spawning flats Fish are becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, feeding heavily to prepare for spawning Bass are relating strongly to structure transitions where deep water meets potential spawning areas Key locations: Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays, especially those with submerged vegetation; Shallow dock areas (4-8 feet) with nearby deep water access; Protected coves with gradually sloping bottom composition. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation, Bladed Jigs around dock posts and vegetation edges, Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over transition areas. Primary forage: Bluegill starting to become more active in shallow areas, Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small baitfish schools relating to warming shallow areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-58°F. Pre-spawn crappies staging in transition areas between wintering and spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves Moving from deeper winter vegetation edges (12-18ft) towards shallower pre-spawn staging areas (8-12ft) Becoming more active during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours Key locations: Vegetation edges in 8-12 foot depths adjacent to spawning bays; Protected bays with emerging vegetation; Secondary points leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Crappie Spider Rigging, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Hover/Mid-Strolling. Primary forage: Small Bluegills, Emerging insects near vegetation, Small minnows in transitional areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 42-50°F. Walleye are moving into shallow rocky areas and tributaries for spawning, typically most active during dawn and dusk periods Males arrive first and stay longer on spawning grounds, with females moving in briefly to deposit eggs Post-spawn fish gradually transition to deeper adjacent areas to recover Key locations: Rocky points and shorelines in 2-6 foot depths with good water flow; Tributary mouths and current areas with gravel or rock substrate; Adjacent deeper breaks in 8-12 feet for staging post-spawn fish. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs with slow presentations near bottom, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs. Primary forage: Small Minnows, Young of Year Perch, Shiners. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Pelican Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Fish transitioning to shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and bays with ideal bottom composition Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day Key locations: Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation; Secondary points leading into spawning coves; Shallow areas near docks with associated grass beds. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to bedding fish, Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations, Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn staging fish. Primary forage: Bluegill in shallow spawning areas, Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Crappies moving shallow (2-8 feet) to spawn near vegetation and woody cover as water temperatures rise Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawn Key locations: Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-8 foot depths; Dock areas with adjacent grass beds; Protected coves with woody cover and vegetation. Best techniques: Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around shallow cover, Bobbers with small jigs suspended at specific depths, Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to structure. Primary forage: Small bluegills and juvenile panfish, Emerging insects and larvae, Small minnows gathering in warming shallows. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Pink Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 48-58°F. Post-spawn walleyes are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively feeding during dawn/dusk periods Fish are moving along shoreline points and establishing patterns around submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depths Key locations: Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with emerging weed growth; Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water in 8-15 foot range; Weed edges and dock areas with adjacent deep water access. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along transitions and weed edges, Jig and minnow combinations using Finesse Jigs in 1/8 to 1/4 oz, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods. Primary forage: Small minnows and shiners gathering in emerging weed growth, Young of year perch beginning to show in shallow areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Pelican Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 62-72°F. Post-spawn largemouth bass are recovering from the spawn and beginning to feed actively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby feeding zones Fish are establishing summer patterns, relating strongly to the extensive dock and vegetation areas while feeding opportunistically on bluegill Key locations: Docks with adjacent grass in 4-8 feet of water; Secondary points with submerged vegetation; Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water. Best techniques: Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around dock posts and grass edges, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock shade lines and vegetation, Swim Jigs paralleling dock edges and through scattered grass. Primary forage: Bluegill concentrating around docks and vegetation, Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge, Crawfish active in warmer shallows. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 62-72°F. Crappies are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding in and around vegetation edges and dock areas Fish are making daily movements between shallow feeding zones and slightly deeper resting areas, with peak activity during morning and evening Key locations: Vegetation edges in 8-12 foot depths adjacent to spawning bays; Dock areas with emerging weed growth in 6-10 feet of water; Secondary points with submerged vegetation between spawning bays and deeper water. Best techniques: Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling), Crappie Dock Shooting, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'). Primary forage: Young-of-year bluegills gathering near vegetation, Small minnows in emerging weed beds, Aquatic insects active in warming waters. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Summer?

Water temp 58-75°F. Actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods in 8-15 foot range, with movement to deeper water during bright midday hours Utilizing weed edges and dock areas as ambush points, particularly during low light conditions Moving between deep and shallow structure based on light penetration in moderately stained water Key locations: Weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range, especially near points or irregular shoreline features; Deep water adjacent to shallow flats for midday holding areas; Dock areas with nearby grass and submerged vegetation. Best techniques: Live Bait Rigs worked along weed edges and depth transitions, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') during low light periods, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') during midday. Primary forage: Bluegills near weed edges and dock areas, Young-of-year perch in vegetation, Smaller baitfish relating to submerged vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Pelican Lake in Summer?

Water temp 65-85°F. During summer, largemouth bass establish daily feeding patterns around key structure, with peak activity during early morning and late evening. They typically hold near deeper edges of vegetation and docks during midday heat. Fish will move between shallow feeding zones and deeper comfort zones as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, utilizing the lake's abundant vegetation and dock structures as travel corridors. Key locations: Docks with adjacent grass beds in 5-15 feet of water, particularly those near deeper water access; Weed edges and points with access to deeper water; Shaded areas under docks during midday hours; Complex shoreline points and coves with vegetation. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and vegetation, Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) during morning and evening feeding periods, Drop Shot along deeper weed edges during midday, Frogs/Toads over matted vegetation early and late. Primary forage: Bluegill (primary forage confirmed in fishing reports), Young of year panfish around docks, Crawfish in vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-82°F. Crappies are actively feeding in and around vegetation edges and dock structures, moving deeper during midday heat Schools are relating strongly to the thermocline, typically suspended 8-15 feet deep during summer Fish exhibit more aggressive feeding during early morning and evening hours, following baitfish movements Key locations: Docks with adjacent vegetation in 8-12 foot depths; Deeper weed edges in 12-15 foot range; Suspended schools near main lake points with vegetation. Best techniques: Crappie Dock Shooting, Crappie Spider Rigging, Hover/Mid-Strolling. Primary forage: Young-of-year bluegills, Small minnows relating to vegetation, Aquatic insects near vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Fall?

Water temp 48-58°F. Walleye are actively feeding to build up reserves for winter, with increased activity during cloudy days and dawn/dusk periods due to the moderate water clarity (2.3m Secchi) Fish are transitioning from shallow feeding areas to deeper winter holding areas, often staging at structural breaks and points Key locations: Main lake points and steep breaks adjacent to shallow flats; Deep weed edges in 12-18 foot range where vegetation is still green; Wind-swept shorelines with rock or gravel substrate. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with aggressive jigging action, Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along contour breaks, Blade Baits worked vertically through baitfish schools. Primary forage: Young-of-year perch schooling near deep weed edges, Baitfish schools (shiners/shad) suspending near breaks, Late-season crayfish in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Pelican Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-68°F. Actively feeding on bluegill around dock areas with grass, becoming more aggressive as they build up reserves for winter Moving between shallow and mid-depth zones, utilizing docks and vegetation as primary ambush points Key locations: Docks with adjacent grass beds in 4-8 feet of water; Protected coves with vegetation; Secondary points with remaining vegetation. Best techniques: Grass Jigs worked slowly through vegetation near docks, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and grass edges, Spinnerbaits parallel to dock edges during cloudy conditions. Primary forage: Bluegill congregating around dock structures, Young of year baitfish schooling in protected areas. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Craw Colors, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Fall?

Water temp 48-62°F. Crappies are actively feeding to build energy reserves for winter, forming loose schools around key structure Fish are transitioning from shallow vegetation to deeper winter holding areas, following baitfish movements Key locations: Deep edges of weed beds in 12-18 foot range; Deeper dock areas with nearby grass; Main lake points with vegetation transition areas. Best techniques: Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling), Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium). Primary forage: Juvenile bluegills concentrated near vegetation edges, Small minnows schooling in deeper water. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Winter?

Water temp 38-45°F. Walleye actively feeding in late afternoon through early evening, concentrating near deep structure adjacent to shallow flats Fish holding tight to bottom in 15-25 foot range during midday, becoming more active during low light periods Key locations: Deep rock piles and points adjacent to shallow flats in 15-25 foot range; Steep breaks near remaining vegetation in 12-18 foot depth; Deep basin edges where suspended baitfish schools concentrate. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Blade Baits, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium). Primary forage: Suspended schools of young-of-year perch, Remaining small bluegills near deep weed edges, Concentrated schools of shiners in deep basins. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Winter?

Water temp 38-42°F. Suspending in schools at variable depths near deep basin edges and submerged vegetation Most active during low-light periods with moderate feeding during stable weather conditions Key locations: Deep basin edges adjacent to submerged vegetation in 12-18 foot range; Deeper holes near creek channels or basin transitions; Suspended schools over main lake basins during stable weather. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Blade Baits, Spoons. Primary forage: Young-of-year bluegills, Small minnows, Zooplankton. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Walleye on Pelican Lake in Ice?

Water temp 34-39°F. Walleye become more concentrated in deeper basins and transition areas during ice season, moving between feeding areas and resting locations Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with a secondary peak during overcast conditions Key locations: Deep basin areas adjacent to structural elements in 18-22 foot range; Edges of submerged vegetation in 12-15 foot range; Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements near bottom, Ice Fishing Spoons with aggressive jigging to attract fish, Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern fish. Primary forage: Bluegills holding in and around remaining vegetation, Small perch schools in transition areas, Juvenile whitefish in deeper basin areas. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Ice?

Water temp 33-38°F. Crappies are schooling near vegetation edges in 12-18 foot depth ranges, making periodic feeding movements along these edges Fish are exhibiting typical winter behavior, suspending near vegetation but moving up in the water column during prime feeding periods Key locations: Edges of submerged vegetation in 12-18 foot depth ranges; Deep basin areas adjacent to vegetation in 15-20 foot depths; Transition areas where vegetation meets basin flats. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Spoons worked with a subtle jigging motion just above the fish, Ice Fishing Jigs tipped with live bait and worked slowly, Damiki Rig presented vertically when fish are tightly schooled. Primary forage: Small Bluegills, Young-of-year Perch, Micro invertebrates near vegetation. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors, Pink Colors.