Boat Ramp - Pelican Lake?

[HellaBass]

Can anyone give me directions to Pelican Lake (between Albertville & Buffalo) boat ramp?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

94 west towards rogers, to exit 202 take a left at top of ramp follow road (its 60th or 65th forgot the name) for 10 minutes or so. You will eventually see the lake, keep going until you get to 117 (edmunson) take a left boat ramp is a mile or so down the road on the left.

Hope this helps if you still need it. I just got home from Pelican, worst trip to the lake this year, 7 hours, 4 bass, 3 pike, sunburn.

[HellaBass]

Thanks plan to give it a whirl tomorrow! Any big ones? Any tips?

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Biggest today was 18", respectable but nothing amazing...

Well I can tell you what didnt work... Tried top waters in the early morning (buzzbaits, sammies, spros) and got nothing. spinnerbaits and swim jigs in the weeds only brought in a few pike. Tried a variety of T rigged plastics and standard jig/pig in the timber and thats what brought in the few bass we caught.

Relatively new to the lake and every trip out I learn new stuff. You'll be amazed almost every foot of the shorline you'll find yourself saying there has to be a fish here but I wish it were that easy. Also, careful running full speed 'til you really know the lake their are dead heads even out in 6-8' of water and can be hard to see.

[HellaBass]

I had heard good things about the timber, I think that is what I will spend my time doing

[CaptZ21]

The lake has been getting pounded pretty hard this year now that the word is out. WHen you launch be very carefull and stay to the right side (when looking out at lake) of the landing as there are some shallow rocks there on the left. Also, I cannot think anyone who has not been on the lake will want to run faster than a high trolling speed. There are alot of deadheads aand rocks. Good luck

[Daze Off]

Tournament out there last Sunday produced two fish over 7 lbs and a winning bag over 37 pounds for 8 fish.

[CaptZ21]

I know, the results of the tourny were posted here earlier, thinking it was a 10 boat event and the weights fell off after the first place boat. Although someone else did catch another 7 lber. Last week I talked to 3 guys who fished the lake and died,, Be interesting to see how hella does.

[HellaBass]

5 hours, 3 bass, biggest was 4.86lbs, two other decent bites, and two small frog bites. Very interesting lake, will go back, it's a lot to take in over a couple hours

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Yeah the lake has been pretty tough since july for us. One bass per person/hour seems to be about par for us. One time we did find a spot that had lots of bass and for 15 minutes they were hitting on just about every cast but they were only 14-15" fish.

Just curious how long was that 4.8 if you measured?

[RumRiverRat]

I am amazed at the number of people fishing that lake now.

It is amazing how fast the word travels on the internet.

Lots of props and lower units have been wrecked out there this summer.

[TonkaBass]

I know of few that have lost some lower units and props too... A hint of advice is to NEVER power load your boat onto the trailer at the launch. I have seen some expensive props become paper weights in a hurry!

[CaptZ21]

My point was the lake has been pounded the last couple years since the word got out. I have heard of one guy who has been keeping 7 lbers (and he caught a few) in order to make a stringer mount. Bottom line is any body of water taking that kind of pressure is going to slow down. Now before anyone jumps on me, I do not know the guy personally, and his logic as told to the guy who told me is that the lake is going to be drained soon so he might as well keep the fish.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

That [PoorWordUsage] me off! People are taking advantage of this lake and that's their excuse. The lake could have many years of fishing left leave those fish in there people. Ive heard panfisherman bragging of the big bass they caught and kept, too.

Who makes stringer mounts of bass anyways? I think any true bass angler would not care to see a stringer mount (not replicas) of bass.

I really shouldnt let it bother me but it does. Part of me will be happy to see the lake go, people dont respect it so take it away, maybe a little harsh... It cant sustain this type of pressure very long anyways.

[blakjack23]

Why would they drain the lake?

[Cecil]

Kill fish, grow more weeds, create habitat and food for waterfowl

[blakjack23]

Gotcha. Is there proof of these plans or is it just "talk"?

[Cecil]

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) proposes a restoration project to lower high lake levels 3.3 feet from the current elevation of 954.0 feet on the 4,000-acre Pelican Lake (an MDNR-designated wildlife lake) in Wright County for wildlife management purposes. The project includes reducing high water levels, constructing an outlet weir, constructing 23,800 feet of new stream channel, restoring a 180-acre wetland, stabilizing the lower reaches of Regal Creek, and constructing a velocity-tube fish barrier. The proposed project is located in Wright County, Minnesota in the cities of Albertville and St. Michael and in Buffalo and Monticello Townships.

[blakjack23]

Thanks Cecil. After a quick search I realized this has been discussed before but I haven't been on this site in awhile so I missed the previous discussion.

[Cecil]

No prob. I think it's still up in the air and no sure thing. Getting enough pushback and I think the funding is running low.

[CaptZ21]

alledgedly it is defined as a "waterfowl" lake by the DNR and draining it is supposed to improve habitat for waterfowl. Now, I have heard this often but always second hand so do not hold me to it. Just what I have been told.

[strait-meat]

I believe it was a waterfowl lake to begin with and then it got flooded/higher water then it became a good fishing lake and the ducking hunting went down the tubes so they want to bring it back to the way it was in the first place.

[TonkaBass]

They should make it off limits to waterfowl hunting and keep it a fishery... like strait meat said, it's nothing to brag about for hunting anyways... but as far as fishing goes, it is a special lake!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I caught a 16.5" fish that went 3 lbs. 12oz today. I kinda regret not taking a pic. If that thing survives a few more years its got record genetics.