Pelican Lake - Orr, MN

[Team Otter]

Anybody in here have anything to add to this post I started in the BWCA-Ely-Duluth forum?

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/1290555#Post1290555

Thanks so much all for any information you're willing to share.

[SledNeck]

I dont fish crappies and gills on Pelican, but most people I see out there are fishing for them. Ive seen people fishing the windswept sides of the islands on the north end of the lake with sucess. At any given time it seems like there is tons of boats out in the deepest part of the lake fishing for crappies. I have a few friends that fished there and had good sucess fishing like 27 feet down with jigs and slip bobbers. Just go where all the boats are. This is by no means a secret spot as any bait shop will tell you to go there anyway. Id rather stay home and watch TV than fish for crappies or gills, but to each his own.

If I was you, id spend a day cruising all around the lake (watch the ROCKS and deadheads) and find your own spots..MORE fun that way IMO...if that fails, go fish with the crowds.

I really had no Idea about where to fish and what to use on Pelican (for bass) but with a little luck and trying lots of different spots. I was able to find some really phenominal spots. Pelican is pretty much the same as any other place..90% of the people you talk to couldnt fish their way out of a wet paper bag. The best thing to do is trust your OWN skills and the fish will come. Proof is in the pictures.

[Team Otter]

Thanks for the reply. Actually, I'm asking around for a friend at work who will be fishing it, not me.

[ole757]

he is right about fishing the deepest part of the lake for crappies, but thats gotta be getting into august before that gets good. if you dont like fishing around all the boats, just move around while trying to stay in at least twenty feet deep. you'll still find plenty of panfish. just off to the west of everyone else is ussually a good bet. everyone always wants to fish in that one spot. in july and early august your best to try to find a windswept spot or the edge of a weedbed. i like a couple of the bays on the eastern side of the lake. this time of the year you can hit and miss, at least with the crappies. bluegills are about everywhere, but i just don't fish them much, except with the kids off the dock, they love it.

what pelican has really become is a bass lake. both large and smallmouths. they seem to be plentiful and big. the northern fishing can be good, seen some fairly nice ones. and what i like because hardly anyone fishes them, but pelican does have walleyes too. nice ones, but its proably more miss then hit when fishing them. (sometimes!)

[Team Otter]

Thanks for the information everyone. Much appreciated...