The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Pelican Lake
Cherry County, Nebraska · 800 acres (1.2 sq mi)
54°F water, windy Friday (20 mph SSE).
About Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake spreads over 800 acres in Cherry County, Nebraska. Pelican Lake lies within Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in the Nebraska Sandhills.
It stretches about 3.4 miles end to end with roughly 7.9 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 2,940 ft above sea level. Valentine lies about 24 miles to the north.
- Size
- 800 acres (1.2 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 7.9 miles
- End to end
- About 3.4 miles
- Elevation
- About 2,940 ft
- Type
- Natural lake
- County
- Cherry County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Fair
- 7:00 am – 9:00 amsunrise
- 3:45 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 20 mph
Saturday Slow
- 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 25 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Pelican Lake in Nebraska usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 54°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 7:31 am · sunset 5:21 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Pelican Lake
- Valentineabout 24 mi north
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Questions about Pelican Lake
What fish are in Pelican Lake?
Lakes like Pelican Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Pelican Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Pelican Lake?
800 acres, with about 7.9 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Pelican Lake?
Valentine is about 24 miles north.
What is the water temperature at Pelican Lake today?
The surface was about 54°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Pelican Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
