How to Fish Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake fishing FAQ

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

Water temp 48-62°F. Fish moving from winter depths to warming shallows, staging near pre-spawn areas Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warm fronts Key locations: Rock/weed transition areas in 2-4 foot depths receiving afternoon sun; Protected coves with emerging vegetation in 3-6 foot depths; Secondary points leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation, Bladed Jigs around rock/weed transitions, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting isolated cover. Primary forage: Bluegill beginning to move shallow, Perch relating to newly growing vegetation. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

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

Water temp 48-58°F. Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Moving from winter depths to shallower transition areas, particularly active during warming trends Key locations: Rock-weed transition zones in 6-12 foot depth range adjacent to potential spawning flats; Isolated boulder fields with nearby deep water access; Wind-blown shoreline points with rock structure. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly along rock transitions, Ned Rigs dragged through rocky areas, Blade Baits worked through deeper transition zones. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small baitfish in transitional areas. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 48-58°F. Crappie are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to warmer, shallow pre-spawn staging areas, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise Fish are beginning to school more tightly and feed more aggressively in preparation for spawning Movement patterns follow daily temperature fluctuations, with fish being most active during warmer afternoon periods Key locations: Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth range; Weed-rock transition areas near spawning flats; Protected coves with slightly darker bottom composition for heat retention. Best techniques: Crappie Spider Rigging, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'), Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium). Primary forage: Small perch fry, Juvenile bluegills, Emerging aquatic insects. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats and moving into spawning areas in 2-4 feet of water Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas with firm bottom, while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning flats Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites Key locations: Protected shallow bays with mixed rock and vegetation in 2-4 feet; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Shallow grass/rock transitions near spawning flats. Best techniques: Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip), Soft Jerkbaits, Wacky Rigs. Primary forage: Bluegill in shallow spawning areas, Perch relating to grass edges. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 55-65°F. Transitioning from pre-spawn staging to spawning behavior, with males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas near rock-weed transitions Actively feeding during nest preparation and between spawning activities, particularly targeting crawfish in rocky areas Key locations: Protected rocky areas in 4-8 foot depth range, especially near weed edges; Isolated boulder fields within sparse weed beds; Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel in protected bays. Best techniques: Tubes worked slowly along rock-weed transitions, Ned Rigs dragged through spawning areas, Drop Shot with small profile baits for sight fishing. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, Small baitfish relating to emerging weed growth. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 58-68°F. Actively moving into shallow spawning areas 2-6 feet deep, particularly in warmer protected bays and coves Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage nearby, creating concentrated fishing opportunities Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, becomes sporadic during actual spawn Key locations: Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water; Weed-rock transition areas in protected coves; Secondary points leading into spawning bays. Best techniques: Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around spawning areas, Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with small soft plastics, Finesse Hair Jigs worked horizontally through spawning zones. Primary forage: Small bluegills and juvenile panfish, Young of year perch, Aquatic insects and larvae. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 62-72°F. Bass are actively pursuing bluegills in shallow water areas, particularly around vegetation Post-spawn recovery period with fish transitioning to aggressive feeding patterns Fish utilizing ambush points near vegetation edges to target abundant panfish forage Key locations: Lily pad fields and openings, especially where they create edges or pockets; Rock/weed transition areas in 2-8 foot depth range; Shallow bays with mixed vegetation including emergent grass and matted grass. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked around vegetation edges, Swim Jigs targeting openings in vegetation, Frogs/Toads worked over matted vegetation, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentation in heavy cover. Primary forage: Bluegill, Perch. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 65-76°F. Smallmouth bass are actively feeding on crawfish around rock-boulder areas in post-spawn period, showing increased aggression as water warms Fish are holding on transitional areas between sand and boulder fields, using these areas as primary feeding zones Key locations: Sand flats with scattered boulders in 6-12 foot depth range; Rock-weed transition zones along shoreline points; Isolated boulder fields adjacent to spawning bays. Best techniques: Tubes dragged and hopped along bottom in boulder fields, Ned Rigs worked slowly through rock-sand transitions, Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish. Primary forage: Crawfish - primary forage evidenced by multiple reports, Small baitfish relating to rock-weed transitions. Best bait colors: Natural Craw Colors, Warm Colors, Dark Neutrals.

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

Water temp 62-72°F. Post-spawn crappies actively feeding on perch and small baitfish while suspending near weed edges in 8-10 foot depth range Fish showing predictable depth patterns, maintaining positions along vegetation edges during daylight hours Key locations: Submerged vegetation edges in 8-10 foot depth range; Shallow bays with emergent vegetation in 4-6 foot depths; Weed-rock transition areas along points and coves. Best techniques: Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with beetle spin style lures, Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked through suspended fish. Primary forage: Perch fry and juvenile perch, Small bluegills. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors.

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

Water temp 65-76°F. Actively feeding around rock-weed transition areas and matted grass, utilizing both shallow cover and nearby deeper structure as ambush points Most active during early morning and evening, moving between shallow grass and adjacent rocky structure Key locations: Rock piles and boulders surrounded by weeds in 2-8 feet of water; Emergent grass and floating mats in middle of bays; Hard edges where weed and rock transitions meet. Best techniques: Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass and emergent vegetation, Bladed Jigs around rock-weed transitions, Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked through sparse weeds near boulders, Neko Rigs and finesse presentations when fish need a slower approach. Primary forage: Bluegill, Crawfish, Perch. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors.

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

Water temp 65-75°F. Actively feeding around rock-weed transition zones, particularly near isolated boulders and rock piles that provide ambush points Showing aggressive pursuit behavior with preference for moving baits like swimbaits and chatterbaits Key locations: Rock piles and rocky points adjacent to weed edges in 6-12 foot depth range; Isolated boulders within weed beds; Wind-blown rocky shorelines. Best techniques: Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with 3/16 oz heads, Bladed Jigs worked along rock-weed transitions, Hard Jerkbaits worked parallel to structure. Primary forage: Crawfish around rocky areas, Small baitfish (fathead minnows and smelt). Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Natural Craw Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Summer?

Water temp 68-76°F. Suspended crappies relating to weed edges in 8-12 foot depths, with most active feeding during early morning and evening hours Fish transitioning between deeper weed edges and adjacent structure throughout the day, seeking optimal temperature zones Key locations: Deep weed edges adjacent to points and creek channels; Submerged vegetation near rock-weed transitions in 8-12 foot range; Shaded areas under docks and overhanging vegetation during midday. Best techniques: Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along weed edges, Crappie Dock Shooting during bright midday periods, Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') in early morning and evening. Primary forage: Young-of-year perch in and around weed beds, Small bluegills relating to vegetation, Various small minnows suspended near weed edges. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Natural Baitfish Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

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

Water temp 52-65°F. Actively feeding on baitfish and transitioning to deeper, more stable water as temperatures cool Following baitfish schools and relating heavily to remaining vegetation edges and rock transitions Forming loose schools near prime ambush points, especially during morning and evening feeding periods Key locations: Deep weed edges adjacent to rock/boulder transitions in 6-8 foot range; Remaining cabbage grass beds near points and drop-offs; Rocky points and boulder fields adjacent to deeper water. Best techniques: Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to weed edges, Spinnerbaits slow-rolled through transition areas, Ned Rigs worked around rocky areas and sparse vegetation. Primary forage: Bluegill congregating near remaining vegetation, Perch schools around rock/weed transitions, Baitfish schools in slightly deeper water. Best bait colors: Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals, Purple Colors.

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

Water temp 48-55°F. Actively feeding on windblown shorelines and rock structures, taking advantage of wind-generated current to ambush prey Transitioning to more aggressive pursuit hunting patterns, moving between 6-12 feet of depth as water cools Key locations: Windblown rocky shorelines in 6-12 feet of water; Rock spines and isolated boulder fields near weed transitions; Points and rock-weed transition zones with current. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses, Blade Baits worked along rock edges, Drop Shot with smaller profile baits near rock structure. Primary forage: Baitfish (shad and small perch), Crawfish seeking winter shelter in rocks. Best bait colors: Natural Shad Colors, Natural Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Fall?

Water temp 52-65°F. Crappies are actively schooling and feeding heavily to prepare for winter, following baitfish movements to deeper water Fish are transitioning from shallow weed edges to deeper water, particularly around drop-offs and remaining vegetation Key locations: Deep weed edges adjacent to drop-offs in 8-12 foot range; Deep basin areas near remaining vegetation in 10-15 foot depths; Points and inside turns where vegetation meets deeper water. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') worked slowly through suspended schools, Crappie Spider Rigging for covering water and maintaining precise depth control, Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges and transitions. Primary forage: Small perch concentrating in schools, Juvenile bluegills near remaining vegetation, Small minnows and young-of-year baitfish. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Winter?

Water temp 48-55°F. Crappies are suspending near the bottom in deeper water, typically near the transition areas between vegetation and open water Fish are schooling tightly in late open water season, often relating to remaining green vegetation or deeper structure Key locations: Deep weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially near points or channel bends; Deeper holes or depressions near remaining vegetation; Rock-weed transition areas in protected bays. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with tight line techniques for precise control, Hover/Mid-Strolling with small jigs for suspended fish, Crappie Spider Rigging to effectively cover water and maintain proper depth. Primary forage: Small perch in the 1-2 inch range, Juvenile bluegills holding near remaining vegetation, Small minnows schooling near structure. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Pelican Lake in Ice?

Water temp 34-39°F. During ice season, crappies will be concentrated in main lake basins and deeper weed edges where remaining green vegetation provides oxygen and cover Fish become less active during midday, with peak feeding periods during dawn and dusk Schools tend to suspend at consistent depths, often relating to the thermocline in this moderately shallow lake Key locations: Deep weed edges in 8-10 foot ranges where vegetation meets basin areas; Main lake basins near structure transitions in 7-9 foot depths; Areas where rock transitions meet remaining green vegetation. Best techniques: Ice Fishing Jigs worked with subtle movements to trigger neutral fish, Ice Fishing Spoons for more aggressive presentations during peak feeding times, Ice Fishing Tip-Ups set at varying depths to pattern suspended fish. Primary forage: Small perch in the 1-2 inch range, Bluegills suspended near remaining vegetation, Smaller baitfish relating to weed edges. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.