The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Pelican Lake
Codington County, South Dakota · about 2,480 acres (3.9 sq mi)
42°F water, calm this morning.
About Pelican Lake
In Codington County, South Dakota, Pelican Lake covers about 2,480 acres.
From end to end it runs about 4.6 miles with roughly 11.4 miles of shoreline. Its surface is about 1,710 ft above sea level. Watertown is about 1.5 miles northeast.
- Size
- About 2,480 acres (3.9 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 11.4 miles
- End to end
- About 4.6 miles
- Elevation
- About 1,710 ft
- County
- Codington County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:45 am – 9:00 amsunrise
- 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 8 mph
Saturday Fair
- 6:45 am – 8:00 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
- 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 14 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
Expect the usual South Dakota mix for a lake this size: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 42°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- GoodWalleye
Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.
- GoodNorthern pike
Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.
- SlowLargemouth bass
Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.
- GoodYellow perch
Schooled near weed edges and soft bottom.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 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 7:23 am · sunset 5:01 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Pelican Lake
- Watertownabout 1.5 mi northeast
- Haytiabout 13 mi south
- Clear Lakeabout 24 mi east
- Clarkabout 25 mi west
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Questions about Pelican Lake
What fish are in Pelican Lake?
Lakes like Pelican Lake usually hold walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. 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?
About 2,480 acres, with about 11.4 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Pelican Lake?
Watertown is about 1.5 miles northeast; Hayti is about 13 miles south.
What is the water temperature at Pelican Lake today?
The surface was about 42°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.
