Ice Fishing on Pelican Lake Orr, MN

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

 

I will be out on the ice of Pelcian Lake this weekend, as the temps. warm up a little.  -35 to -40 f just limit the possibilities, I hope you agree.  I'll cruise aroiund this 11,000 acre winter wonderland and survey the locals and report back to TEAM MINNESOTA OUTDOORS FOLKS!  The slush is subsiding, due to frigid temps., but still an issue in places, and access is much better than 1-3 weeks ago.  Ice was 22-26" on the southshore about 200 yds. off shore.   A few brave fishing folks were getting lucky with small northern (which you can catch just about anytime, on anything), crappies on jigs with minnow tips, and maggots for Sunfish and Bluegill in nearby ice shacks.  Meyer's Minnows and Norman's One Stop are great pitstops where one can get the latest scoop (yes, a pun).  Enjoy and stay warm!  Grey Wolf Lodge :)

[Woody]

  Welcome to MNO!  Be safe in your travels and we look forward to hearing of your findings!   

[Ace]

    

Hey John,
Isn't the winter weather just wonderful here in the far north?  I had 44 below zero at my place on Pike bay, Lake Vermilion.  I wanted to welcome you to our area forum here at MNO.  It's gets a little boring talking to all them southerners all the time.  Nice to see another homeboy on the website.

"Ace"

[JakerGreen]

 
                                    JakerGreen

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

 :USA:I braved the warm Chinook winds and ventured out onto the ice Sunday.  Pelican was beautifuol as usual, I didn't see a soul.  Caught one nice keeper northern pike and 3 perch.  The northern hit on a chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow and the perch on a plain hook tipped with a minnow.

The ice was firm in a few spots and had a slush layer in others.  One soft layer of ice about 5" thick, followed by 4-6" of H2O, followed by 22-26" of solid ice.

Finally, the fishkies are waking up.  Next week, we search for the often elusive Pelican Lake CRAPPIE!  I hear they are biting on the west end of the lake.

Stop in at Meyer's Minnows or Norman's One Stop to get the scoop!

Tips up!

John...
Grey Wolf Lodge
4411 Pelican Road
Orr, MN 55771

greywolflodge.com

800-840-9653

 

[Dan R.]

Thanks for the report, hope you find those crappies

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

 

Went out Sunday and tried to hit a crappie hole.  You can say we hit...and missed.  Tried to find them in 8-10 feet of water and no luck.  Last weekend it worked.  Tried waxworms on a small chartreuse and on a small orange jig.  Nothing.  Tried a minnow.  No luck.

Across the lake about 5 miles, they were catching them in 18 feet of water on a jig and waxworm.  Hmmm, went the wrong way......again.  Next weekend I head east and find a deeper hole.  The northerns were active on minnows in 6-20+ feet of water, on just about anything tipped with a minnow.

We pulled up some healthy green plants.  One wouldn't think that with all of the snow cover on the lake, one would find such healthy plants.  But they are there.  That's why you should reel up a few notches after hitting bottom.  Get your bait out of the weeds and into the sight of your prey.

Until next week...

Tips up,

Grey Wolf Lodge

greywolflodge.com
800-840-wolf (9653)

[Woody]

Thanks for the report-still sounds like a good time! 

[ironranger29]

Thanks for the report-still sounds like a good time! 

[ironranger29]

are the ice roads on pelican good enough for a car?   

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

 

No, I would not recommend driving on the lake.  Although most of the ice is 2-3' thick, the slush is there.  By Feb. 14, during the annual fishing contest out of Orr, there will probably be a good road plowed.  Check with the Orr Area Chamber of Commerce for details.

Grey Wolf Lodge

greywolflodge.com
800-840-9653

[ironranger29]

Would you know of any lakes in the pelican area that would have a plowed road? 

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

This weekend there sill be a raod to the tournament area.  Go to downtown Orr and ask where the Legion is, behind the Pelcian Bay IGA.

The tourny is only from 12-3pm.  So, plenty of time to fish around it.

Grey Wolf Lodge

800-840-wolf (9653)

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

Saturday produced some noertherns and perch in the shallower water 6-8' with minnows and jigs.  Crappie are a lil deeper12-14' with waxies.

Let's see what today produces. 

Hopefully, we'll have some luck!

Grey Wolf Lodge

the ice seems better, fewer slushy spots...

[Grey Wolf Lodge]

 

Went out and fished 8-9' of water today and caught 15 perch, 6 over 10" and 1 over 12"!  What a beaut...used chartreuse and orange jigs #8 hooks tipped with minnows. 

We also caught 3 northerns, one 29" we threw back.  We kept two under 24" for dinner tonight.  I had to type this so my buddy "had to filet 'em".  Once again, same bait.

Seems that the fish are waken up.  We lost a few too and fished for about 4 ours total.

Needless to say, it was a BLAST!

Hopefully, more tomorrow.  Enjoy...

Grey Wolf Lodge