Pelican Lake fishing

Fishing at Pelican Lake has Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Saugeye on the stocking report. It is stocked about 0.9 times a year since 2012, most often in May and June. Species guides list dawn, dusk, and night for Walleye and Saugeye and dawn, day, and dusk for Yellow Perch.

Last stocked

June 16, 2025

Plants on record

13

Since 2012

Species recorded

3

Surface acres

2,779

Elevation

1,710 ft

Access and facts

Nearest town
Watertown
Shore access
Yes
Boat ramp
Yes
ADA accessible
Yes
Fee required
Yes
Facilities
restrooms, camping

Pelican Lake Recreation Area has 5.5 miles of trails, an archery range, a kayak launch with rentals, a boat ramp and an ADA-accessible fishing pier. Two shorefront log camping cabins sit right on the water. Nine miles southwest of Watertown off US Hwy 212.

Sources: access.shore , access.boat_ramp , access.ada , access.ada , access.fee , shore_notes , nearest_town , facilities , fishing_notes , fishing_notes

View larger map · Open on Google Maps

How Pelican Lake is stocked

The first plant of the year usually falls in the third week of May. In 2025 it was June 16, 2025, later than usual.

No plants recorded in 2013, 2018, 2020, and 2024.

Lake Kampeska (4.5 mi) and Lake Cochrane (35.8 mi) were stocked more recently. Lake Kampeska is also stocked with Walleye and Lake Cochrane is also stocked with Walleye.

Fish at Pelican Lake

Fishing Pelican Lake is most likely to be for Walleye. Walleye accounts for 10 of 13 plants on record, ahead of Saugeye and one more.

Walleye 10 plants
Plants
10 of 13
Last stocked
June 16, 2025

Seasons and rigs are on the Walleye guide.

Saugeye 2 plants
Plants
2 of 13
Last stocked
May 22, 2023

Seasons and rigs are on the Saugeye guide.

Yellow Perch 1 plant
Plants
1 of 13
Last stocked
June 22, 2016

Seasons and rigs are on the Yellow Perch guide.

Fishing Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake offers fishing opportunities for visitors, including a fishing pier. It is described as an easy fishing hotspot just feet from the cabin decks. The South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks agency has installed accessible fishing piers at Pelican Lake, which feature low railings, accessible ramps, and nearby parking for easier access.

Sources: gfp.sd.gov , gfp.sd.gov

Fish stocked per year

  • 1,400,0002012
  • 1,400,0002014
  • 1,500,0002015
  • 29,8902016
  • 1,400,0002017
  • 700,0002019
  • 1,400,0002021
  • 1,400,0002022
  • 3,300,0002023
  • 196,9592025

Stocking history

Source: South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP).
Date Species Quantity Avg. length Source
June 16, 2025 Walleye 132,219 – report
June 16, 2025 Walleye 24,858 – report
June 16, 2025 Walleye 39,882 – report
May 22, 2023 Saugeye 1,800,000 – report
May 20, 2023 Saugeye 1,500,000 – report
May 20, 2022 Walleye 1,400,000 – report
May 15, 2021 Walleye 1,400,000 – report
May 16, 2019 Walleye 700,000 – report
May 8, 2017 Walleye 1,400,000 – report
June 22, 2016 Yellow Perch 29,890 – report
May 15, 2015 Walleye 1,500,000 – report
May 9, 2014 Walleye 1,400,000 – report
April 27, 2012 Walleye 1,400,000 – report

Species stocked here

Depth-by-season, top lures, and bait notes for each species stocked here are on its own species guide, linked above.

Nearest lakes