Pelican Lake
About Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake is a 3,761-acre lake near Ashby in Grant County, Minnesota. It reaches 21 feet at its deepest point, with an average depth of about 10 feet, and has roughly 27.8 miles of shoreline. It is the largest lake in Grant County in the Minnesota DNR's LakeFinder records. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 2.5 feet, so expect stained or algae-tinted water in summer.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 17 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There is one public boat launch (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR. Prairie Cove Campground is mapped close to the shoreline for overnight stays. Ice typically goes out around April 8, based on 17 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Pelican Lake
- 3,761 acres, up to 21 feet deep, near Ashby
- 1 public boat launch (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and white crappie
- Average water clarity around 2.5 feet — expect green or stained water by midsummer
- Camping close to the water at Prairie Cove Campground
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR
Conditions
- Surface area
- 3,761 acres
- Max depth
- 21 ft
- Average depth
- 10 ft
- Shoreline
- 27.8 mi
- Water clarity
- 2.5 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 3,042 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 1 public boat launch (concrete)
- Camping: Prairie Cove Campground
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Lakeside camping
- Ice fishing
- Low-clarity lakes are prone to summer algae blooms; keep dogs out of green, scummy water
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 17
- Game fish
- 9
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 8
- Years of record
- 17
- Earliest
- March 14, 2024
- Latest
- April 30, 2023
- Most recent
- April 12, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Camping & Reservations
Prairie Cove Campground is mapped on or near Pelican Lake. Minnesota state park sites are booked through the DNR reservation system, national forest campgrounds through Recreation.gov, and most state forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Campground locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Confirm details with the operator.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Pelican Lake
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake is in Grant County, Minnesota, near Ashby. It covers 3,761 acres and reaches 21 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Pelican Lake?
Pelican Lake covers 3,761 acres with about 27.8 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 21 feet and its average depth is about 10 feet.
What fish can you catch at Pelican Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, White Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Pelican Lake?
Yes. Pelican Lake has 1 public boat launch (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Pelican Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Pelican Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Pelican Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Pelican Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Pelican Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 8, from 17 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 14, 2024 and the latest is April 30, 2023.
Can you camp at Pelican Lake?
Yes. Prairie Cove Campground is mapped on or near the shore. Confirm whether sites are reservable or first-come, first-served before you go.