Pelican Lake (Wisconsin)

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Pelican Lake is a large lake in Oneida County, Wisconsin. It covers about 3,585 acres and has a maximum depth of 39 feet. The lake sits at about 1,591 feet above sea level. It is named for the American white pelicans that can be seen there. In Ojibwe, the lake is called Zhede-zaaga’igan or Gaa-wabaataawangaag-zaaga’igan (place where there is a sandy narrows lake).

There are five public boat landings for access. A dam on the lake’s main outlet feeds the Pelican River. Pelican Lake is one of 21 reservoirs used to regulate water flow on the Wisconsin and Tomahawk rivers, with help from the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company.

Fisheries include muskie, panfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleye.

The water has historically been not very clear. The bottom is about 40% sand, 20% gravel, 10% rock, and 30% muck. The lake is eutrophic, meaning it is nutrient-rich and supports a lot of life.

Invasive species found there include banded mystery snail, Chinese mystery snail, curly-leaf pondweed, Eurasian water-milfoil, purple loosestrife, and rusty crayfish.