Fishing on Pelican Lake

A Lake Full of Great Fishing

Pelican Lake’s 3,545 acres are home to musky, walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfish. The lake has a self-sustaining walleye population, while its musky fishery is supported through stocking. Pelican Lake is also well known locally for its big musky—giving anglers plenty of reasons to enjoy the lake.

Fishing Regulations

Pelican Lake has special fishing regulations for several species that differ from Wisconsin’s general inland waters rules.

One important detail: walleye and bass have different protected slot sizes, so be sure you know the difference before you keep a fish. It’s an easy mistake to make—and one that can lead to a ticket.

These regulations are summarized from the DNR’s published 2026 rules. Seasons, limits, and regulations can change, so always check the current DNR regulations before fishing.

Species	Season	Limit
Walleye	First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March	Daily bag 3 15″ minimum. Fish from 20″ to 24″ may not be kept. Only one over 24″.
Muskellunge	First Saturday in May through Dec. 31 (open water only)	Daily bag 1 50″ minimum
Northern pike	First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March	Daily bag 5 No minimum length.
Largemouth bass	First Saturday in May through first Sunday in March. (Catch and release at all other times)	Daily bag 5 in total with smallmouth bass No minimum length, but fish from 14″ to 18″ may not be kept and only one over 18″.
Smallmouth bass	Third Saturday in June through first Sunday in March. (Catch and release at all other times).	Daily bag 5 in total with largemouth bass No minimum length, but fish from 14″ to 18″ may not be kept and only one over 18″
Panfish	All year	No minimum length. Daily bag 10

A couple of other important rules: Motor trolling is allowed, with one hook, bait, or lure per angler and no more than three lines per boat. Catch-and-release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year-round, unless otherwise noted in the regulations above.

The DNR is the authority—not this page. Fishing regulations can change, so always check the current rules before heading out.

For Pelican Lake in Oneida County, look for Water Body 1579900 on the DNR’s Pelican Lake regulations page.

Be sure to check the water body number. There is another Pelican Lake in Minnesota with different regulations.

What the Surveys are Finding

The DNR regularly surveys Pelican Lake in partnership with the Mole Lake Tribe, with association members pitching in to help.

The most recent fall electrofishing survey brought encouraging results across the board, offering a positive look at the health of the lake’s fishery.

Walleye Reproduction

The latest survey (2024) found 87 young-of-year walleye per mile—more than four times the 20 per mile considered excellent.

That’s a great sign that Pelican Lake had an exceptional walleye spawning year. Even better, survival of the previous year’s fish was also well above the county average.

Condition of the Fishery

The latest survey found largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, and musky in very good condition.

Even better, the lake’s forage base—the small fish that larger fish depend on for food—is in excellent shape, supporting a healthy and productive fishery.

Why the Regulations Changed

The fishing regulations that took effect in 2026 were designed to improve the size and quality of the fishery—with the goal of having more fish reach the sizes anglers want to catch.

Stocking

Pelican Lake is on a three-year musky stocking cycle, using large fingerlings instead of tiny fry. Starting with bigger fish gives them a much better chance of survival. Every musky stocked in Pelican Lake since 2012 has had a PIT tag inserted for tracking purposes.

Walleye are not stocked because Pelican Lake’s population reproduces naturally and is doing well on its own.

The Musky Tagging Program

Association members use PIT tag readers to scan muskies they catch, helping build a long-term picture of the lake’s musky population. In its third year, the program scanned more than 150 fish, with a local guide contributing a significant share of the data.

The information is shared with the DNR fisheries biologist and provides valuable insight that a single survey cannot. Over time, these records help track the musky population and how it changes.

We need more anglers to participate! If you regularly fish for musky on Pelican Lake and would be willing to carry a reader, contact us and select “Fishing & Wildlife.” The reader is provided, and scanning takes only a few seconds while you’re already handling your catch.

Fish Cribs

Fish cribs are timber structures placed on the lake bottom to give young fish shelter and places to feed. The committee has materials left from an earlier project and plans to build more. The committee plans to build additional cribs in the spring of 2027.

It’s a great hands-on project for anyone who enjoys building things—and no experience is required. Volunteer if you’d like to lend a hand!

Reporting a Fish Kill

If you find a large number of dead or dying fish, report it promptly to the DNR Tip Line at 1-800-847-9367 or to the Oneida County fisheries biologist. Dead fish decay quickly in warm water, and the cause may be difficult to determine after a day or two.

When reporting, note the date, location, species, and approximate number of fish. Photos of the area and fish can also be helpful.

Do not collect fish samples yourself or take them to a DNR office. If you catch a diseased fish, keep it as part of your daily bag limit, place it on ice, and mention it when you report the incident. Wear gloves or wash your hands after handling dead fish, and never eat a dead or diseased fish.

Please also let the association know through the contact form so the Fish and Wildlife Committee can keep track of what is happening on the lake. The DNR investigates; we help keep the community informed.

Before You Launch

Help keep Pelican Lake free of invasive species. Before launching, inspect your boat and trailer, remove all plants and animals, and drain all water—including the livewell. Never move live fish from one water body to another.

These steps are required by Wisconsin law and are especially important on a lake already dealing with Eurasian watermilfoil. Taking a few minutes to clean, drain, and prevent the spread can help keep other invasive species out.

Learn more about invasive species.