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Little Pelican Lake is a 345 acre mesotrophic (moderately fertile) lake located in northwest Otter Tail County, approximately ten miles northeast of the city of Pelican Rapids. It has a maximum depth of 25 feet and 74% of the lake is 15 feet or less in depth. Shoreline substrates consist primarily of sand and muck. Secchi disk readings, a measure of water clarity, have been taken during fish assessments since 1967. The reading in 1999 was 11.0 feet. Past readings have ranged from 3.0 to 9.2 feet. Access is gained through a navigable channel from Big Pelican Lake. Development is located on the north and south shorelines. The east end of the lake contains marshy areas. Emergent vegetation (bulrush, cattail, wild rice) is located in areas throughout the basin. Emergent plants are important because they provide valuable fish and wildlife habitat and are critical for maintaining good water quality. They protect shorelines from erosion and can even absorb and break down pollutants from the water. Emergent plants provide spawning areas for fish species such as northern pike, largemouth bass and panfish. They also are important nursery areas all species of fish. Because of their ecological importance, emergent plants may not be removed without a DNR permit. Little Pelican Lake contains good populations of bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and black crappie. The bluegill size structure is good with 42% of the bluegill sampled in 1999 over 7.0 inches in length. Largemouth bass and black crappie are likely present in good numbers. Spring assessments in the future will provide better information on these species. Spawning habitat exists throughout the basin for these species to thrive on their own. Walleye are not stocked in Little Pelican Lake. The walleye population is likely maintained by immigrants entering from Big Pelican Lake. The population is currently good and well balanced with fish ranging in length from 10.0 to 24.5 inches.