The lake has been a popular recreational area since the turn of the 20th century when trains brought visitors, cottagers and campers from Brandon and Winnipeg.

[2] The lake area is popular for boating, sailing, fishing, a wide variety of water activities, cottagers and home owners.

(See map) These works are operated by Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation under rules provided through an Environment Act Licence.

Advice on the operation of the inlet and outlet works is provided by the Pelican Lake Advisory Committee.

The lake is normally maintained at elevations between 411.5 and 412 metres (1,350 and 1,352 ft) above sea level during summer months.

This calculation assumes no inflow into the lake and that Pembina River flows are low enough to allow the entire outlet capacity of the diversion to be used.