Pelican Lake

Aerial view of Pelican Lake, a 3545 acre lake in Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Pelican Lake is a sprawling 3,500-plus-acre lake southeast of Rhinelander with moderately clear water and an expansive, big-sky feel.

Its sheer size supports serious fishing, long pontoon runs, and full-day boating without feeling cramped, and it has a long-standing regional reputation as a productive, big-water lake. That said, its more out-of-the-way location means you are committing to a longer drive for everyday amenities, and it lacks the convenience factor of lakes closer to Minocqua or Eagle River. Buyers who prioritize acreage, fishing, and room to roam over proximity to town often see Pelican as a strong value in the big-lake category.

Read more ▼

Pelican Lake Specs:

Clarity:
Avg. Depth: 12 Feet
Size: 3545 Acres
Max Depth: 39 Feet
Shoreline: 13.00 Miles
Water Source:
Lake Access: Public
Water Color: Deep Blue
Trophic State: Eutrophic
Time to Town: 29 Minutes

Homes for Sale:

Pelican Lake
$1,300,000
Pelican Lake house picture
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Sq Ft: 2,576
Pelican Lake

   Western frontage on 3585 acre Pelican Lake with a private boat landing, 3 BR 3 bath home with a level approach to the lake, a gorgeous yard with a sprinkler system, multiple outbuildings, and direct access to both the snowmobile and ATV trails. The 2.45 acre lo…

Pelican Lake
$525,000
Pelican Lake house picture
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 2.0
Sq Ft: 2,000
Pelican Lake

   Nostalgic setting on beautiful Pelican Lake. This completely remodeled cabin offers 2,000+ sq ft of living space with a gorgeous field stone wood burning fireplace in the knotty pine lakeside family room and an open concept living room, dining room, and kitchen…

Get notified of new listings on Pelican Lake

Lots for Sale:

No Current Listings
Bottom:
Boat Traffic: Above Average
Noise Level:
High Speed: Yes
Natural Gas: Yes
Lake Roads:
Cell Coverage: Good
Boat Launch: Yes (1)
Lake Grade: Very Good
Rentals on Lake: Yes
Township: Schoepke
School District: Elcho
Tax Rate: $6.52 / $1000

This is a summary based on available information.

Pelican Lake is well‑known for its multi‑species fishing, particularly for walleyes and muskies, along with pike, bass, and panfish. Anglers work expansive weed flats, points, and mid‑lake bars with jigs, rigs, crankbaits, and trolling passes, especially during low‑light windows when fish roam to feed. The moderate clarity lets anglers use a range of presentations from subtle to fairly aggressive depending on wind and light. Given the lake’s size, success often comes from focusing on key structural areas rather than trying to cover everything in a single outing.

I had AI give me the coordinates for the launches I had on file. They are not super accurate, but should give a rough idea of where you can find the landings. If no coordinates were available at all I didn't link to the map.

Pelican Lake public landings multiple
Pelican Lake has several public boat landings around the shoreline, with hard-surface ramps and sizable parking areas that serve heavy fishing and recreational use on this large lake.

How big is Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake is 3545 acres with 13.00 miles of shoreline.

How deep is Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake has an average depth of 12 feet and a maximum depth of 39 feet.

Does Pelican Lake have a boat launch?

Yes, Pelican Lake has a public boat launch.

How far is Pelican Lake from Rhinelander?

Pelican Lake is 29 minutes from Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

What is the water clarity of Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake has a water clarity of 8.0 feet.

How long is the shoreline on Pelican Lake?

The shoreline of Pelican Lake is about 13.00 miles.

What type of lake is Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake is a Drainage lake.

What is the trophic status of Pelican Lake?

Pelican Lake is a Eutrophic lake.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Who would you like to contact?