Lake trip · St. Louis County, Minnesota
Where to stay at Pelican Lake
Pelican Lake covers 11,546 acres in St. Louis County and carries a water-quality grade of NR (Not rated). Compare cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals below. The grade measures nutrients and algae — it is not a stay-or-skip rating. Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Places to stay near Pelican Lake
Cabins, resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals near Pelican Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota — live availability and prices. Add your dates to see totals.
Top-rated places to stay near Pelican Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
About the water
Pelican Lake grades NR for nutrients and algae — Not rated. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Water clarity is about 7.5 ft of visibility. The letter is not a reason to skip cabins and rentals around the lake.
Best time to visit
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Check the National Weather Service forecast for Pelican Lake →
About Pelican Lake
Fish: black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass.
Fishing & license
When to fish Pelican Lake — the seasonal windows by species, from state survey data.
Minnesota fishing license
Anglers under 16 are not required to have a license. Residents age 90+ also exempt. · The Minnesota walleye, northern pike, and bass season opens the Saturday two days before Mother's Day. Most other species are open year-round.
Prices as published by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2026.
Camping & RV near Pelican Lake
Base your trip at a nearby state park for tent and RV camping and trails, with Pelican Lake a short drive away — or search all public campgrounds and RV sites in the area on Recreation.gov.
- Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area · State Recreation Area19.5 mi
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals around Pelican Lake in St. Louis County, Minnesota are on the map above with live availability and nightly prices. Waterfront rentals put you on the dock; lodging in the nearest town is usually cheaper with more choice. Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area is about 19.5 miles away for campground options.
Pelican Lake is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Not rated for swimming — there is not enough monitoring data to judge this lake. Always check local health-department advisories before swimming.
Late spring through early fall, with June through August the peak season for swimming, boating, and fishing.
Explore Pelican Lake
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LakeQuality Lake Trip Planner (2026)
Free trip-planning guide for Pelican Lake: how to pick a clean lake, the water-quality signals that matter, best swimming and fishing windows, and where to stay.
Lodging availability and prices are provided by Stay22 and its booking partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia); LakeQuality may earn a commission from bookings at no extra cost to you. Water-quality grades are independent of lodging listings. Always check current health-department advisories and managing-agency conditions before you travel.