Pelican Lake, Oneida County Fishing
A 3,545-acre Wisconsin lake in Oneida County, down to 39 feet.
Pick for muskyPiscifun Viper X spinning reel50% OFFSale $39.99 Photo: Mark Miller, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pelican Lake, Oneida County, the essentials
Pelican Lake, Oneida County covers 3,545 acres in Oneida County, according to the WDNR Find a Lake record. The WDNR gives a maximum depth of 39 feet. Groceries and gas are in Elcho, around 5 miles from the water. On the WDNR map it belongs to the Northern Region. In the DNR lake classification it is complex cool dark.
It is on the WDNR musky waters list (natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2)). The DNR walleye layer lists recruitment as stocking plus natural reproduction. It is a ceded territory lake for walleye limits. WDNR lists panfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass and walleye for it. Boaters use 5 public boat landings. Clarity from satellite data averages 4.9 feet (2017).
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WDNR rates each fish group in Pelican Lake, Oneida County as abundant, common or present.
| Fish group | WDNR abundance |
|---|---|
| Panfish | Abundant |
| Largemouth Bass | Common |
| Musky | Common |
| Northern Pike | Common |
| Smallmouth Bass | Common |
| Walleye | Common |
On Pelican Lake, Oneida County the walleye source is stocking plus natural reproduction. Musky in Pelican Lake, Oneida County fall under natural reproduction plus stocking (cat. 2).
Fishery outlook for Pelican Lake, Oneida County by class
“Complex cool dark lakes can often support quality or action walleye fisheries, and can have great action fisheries for yellow perch, and have the potential to produce quality northern pike and muskellunge fisheries.”
WDNR Find a Lake fish list and abundance, WDNR lake classification and fisheries designation layers, checked October 2026.
Putting in on Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Pelican Lake Access2 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, Town of Enterprise
- Pelican Lake Access 22 lanes, 16 to 20 trailer stalls, boarding dock, restroom, Program Supervisor
- Pelican Lake Access -Artus Road1 lane, Town of Schoepke
- Pelican Lake Access 31 lane, 1 to 5 trailer stalls, Town of Schoepke
- Pelican Lake Canoe Accesscarry-in, Town of Schoepke
Nearby ramps for Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Otter Lake Park Boat RampOtter Lake, 4 miles south
- Enterprise Lake – Schuette Lane AccessEnterprise Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Enterprise Lake AccessEnterprise Lake, 5 miles southwest
- Mocassin Lake AccessMocassin Lake, 5 miles southwest
- Mars Lake AccessMars Lake, 5 miles north
- Bass Lake Boat LaunchBass Lake, 6 miles west
WDNR Boat Access and Shore Fishing layers and Find a Lake landing table, checked October 2026.
Pelican Lake, Oneida County clarity and bottom
Bottom makeup at Pelican Lake, Oneida County: 40% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck.
Pelican Lake, Oneida County is a drainage lake (a stream flows in and out).
The DNR lists banded mystery snail, chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, eurasian water-milfoil, ornamental water lilies (non-native nymphaea sp.), purple loosestrife and rusty crayfish as invasive species in Pelican Lake, Oneida County. Never move live bait or water from it.
Posted ordinances for Pelican Lake, Oneida County address buoy placement.
WDNR Find a Lake page, WDNR Landsat lake clarity layer, checked October 2026.
Limits by species on Pelican Lake, Oneida County
The rows below come from the WDNR Lake Regulation record for Pelican Lake, Oneida County, season by season.
| Species | Season | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye, sauger and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3. |
| Muskellunge and hybrids | May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water | The minimum length limit is 50" and the daily bag limit is 1. |
| Northern pike | May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | June 20, 2026 to March 7, 2027 | No minimum length limit except largemouth and smallmouth bass between 14-18" may not be kept and only one over 18" may be kept. The daily bag limit is 5. |
| Largemouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | No minimum length limit except largemouth bass between 14-18" may not be kept and only one over 18" may be kept. The daily bag limit is 5. |
| Smallmouth bass | May 2, 2026 to June 19, 2026 | Fish may not be harvested (catch and release only). |
| Panfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Catfish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Lake sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | Closed | No fishing allowed. |
| Cisco and whitefish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10. |
| Rock, yellow and white bass | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Bullheads | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
| Rough fish | Open All Year | No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited. |
General WDNR note for Pelican Lake, Oneida County: Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted. Motor Trolling is allowed with 1 hook, bait, or lure per angler, and 3 hooks, baits, or lures maximum per boat.
Oneida County note in the guide: Oneida County is in the ceded territory (see page 13 for additional ceded territory information). With the exceptions below, Northern Bass Zone rules apply (see page 12). Motor trolling is permitted countywide (one hook, bait or lure per person; three lines maximum per boat).
The Hwy 10 pike line puts Pelican Lake, Oneida County on its north side; bass rows follow the Northern Bass Zone.
WDNR Lake Regulation search and the 2026-2027 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations, checked October 2026.
WDNR hatchery releases in Pelican Lake, Oneida County
From 2024 through 2024 the DNR logged 1 stockings in Pelican Lake, Oneida County totaling 819 fish.
| Year | Species | Size | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Muskellunge | large fingerling | 12.7 in | 819 |
WDNR Fish Stocking Summary, stocking years 2023 to 2025. Wisconsin stocking.
Nearby lakes and Pelican Lake, Oneida County in one table
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Max depth ft | Landings | WDNR class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelican Lake, Oneida County | 3,545 | 39 | 5 | complex cool dark | |
| Silver Lake near Elcho, Oneida County | 2 miles south | 22 | 17 | 0 | simple warm dark |
| Enterprise Lake | 4 miles southwest | 509 | 27 | 2 | complex cool dark |
| Otter Lake near Elcho, Langlade County, 83 acres | 4 miles south | 83 | 27 | 1 | complex cool dark |
| Venus Lake | 5 miles north | 64 | 21 | 0 | simple cool dark |
| Moccasin Lake, Langlade County | 5 miles southwest | 113 | 38 | 1 | complex cool dark |
WDNR Find a Lake, lake classification and boat access layers.
Places near Pelican Lake, Oneida County
Wisconsin lakes around Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Silver Lake near Elcho, Oneida County2 miles south
- Enterprise Lake4 miles southwest
- Otter Lake near Elcho, Langlade County, 83 acres4 miles south
- Venus Lake5 miles north
- Moccasin Lake, Langlade County5 miles southwest
Where anglers buy bait around Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Marina Onemarina, Summit Lake, 9 miles
- Fishing Holebait and tackle shop, Rhinelander, 12 miles
- L And M Fleet Supply, 2200 Lincoln Streetfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 12 miles
- Walmart Rhinelanderfarm and general store with fishing gear, Rhinelander, 13 miles
- J&ts Bait-n-tacklebait and tackle shop, Rhinelander, 14 miles
- Tamarack Outfitters LLCsporting goods store, Crandon, 15 miles
Home bases for a trip to Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Elcho5 miles
- Post Lake7 miles
- Summit Lake9 miles
County guides for Pelican Lake, Oneida County
- Oneida Countyseat: Rhinelander
Piscifun picks matched to Pelican Lake, Oneida County
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Species you may hook at Pelican Lake, Oneida County
Photo: Hardyplants, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Questions anglers bring up about Pelican Lake, Oneida County
Which WDNR region covers Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
It sits in Oneida County, WDNR Northern Region, about 5 miles from Elcho.
How large and deep is Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
WDNR lists 3,545 acres and 39 feet at the deepest.
Is there a public boat landing on Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
The WDNR maps 5 mapped landings; start with Pelican Lake Access.
What can a Wisconsin angler catch in Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
Expect panfish (abundant), largemouth bass (common), muskellunge (common), northern pike (common), smallmouth bass (common) and walleye (common).
Does Pelican Lake, Oneida County have its own WDNR regulations?
The Walleye, sauger and hybrids entry reads The minimum length is 15", but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20" to 24" may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24" is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
Can out-of-state visitors fish Pelican Lake, Oneida County on a Wisconsin license?
Anglers 16 and older need a Wisconsin fishing license: $20 a year for residents and $55 for nonresidents, with a $5 first-time buyer rate for residents.
Is Pelican Lake, Oneida County a seepage or drainage lake?
Satellite clarity about 4.9 feet (2017). Bottom: 40% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, 30% muck. WDNR class: complex cool dark. Type: drainage.
Which tackle shop on our list is nearest Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
Try Marina One, around 9 miles off.
Does the WDNR stock fish in Pelican Lake, Oneida County?
The 2024 record lists 819 muskellunge.
Plan a Wisconsin lake day on Pelican Lake, Oneida County
Read the lake rules above, then pick a landing.