Safe Boating Tips

No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules before departures. Below you will find 10 basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:

Be Weather-Wise Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water. Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten. Read entire article: http://www.discoverboating.com/beginner/safety/tips.aspx

FAMILY FISHING:- INTRODUCING OTHERS TO THE SPORT

Consider a family vacation that will allow your kids to learn the great sport of fishing. Pelican Lake offers many opportunities for kids to catch fish right off the docks.

While some anglers get their start down this pleasant path on their own (often via magazine articles or books), the statistics show that most lifelong anglers are first introduced to fishing by a mentor—usually a family member. Below are a number of pointers (gleaned from personal experience, advice from others, and dozens of fishing clinics) that should help make the beginner's transition to the sport a smooth and memorable one. While all these principles apply to youngsters making their first cast, most will also apply to neophytes of any age—wives (and husbands!) and grandfathers, too. It's never too late to start! BE PATIENT . . . BE VERY PATIENT! Of all these suggestions, this one may be the most important. The goal of fishing (superceding even the actual catching of fish) is to have an enjoyable time. Unfortunately, anyone fishing for the first time can expect tangles, snags, and lost fish. Realize that these events are likely to occur and take them in stride. Avoid negative criticism, don't raise your voice, and concentrate on covering a few basics while having a good time (and hopefully even landing some fish). KEEP IT SIMPLE! This principle runs a close second in importance....Read entire article here: http://myfwc.com/media/1349941/CITFSH2b.pdf

Fishing Pelican Lake

Pelican Lake, located in Orr, MN is, another one of the many magnificent bodies of water that make up the gateway to Voyageurs National Park and Northeastern Minnesota. With just under 12,000 acres of accessible water, 54 islands and an average depth of 13.5’,

fishing on Pelican Lake is easy, productive and naturally breathtaking. After the hay day of natural white pine forests were felled, floated and shipped to mills all over the country, Orr, which was located on the main railroad line between Duluth and International Falls, turned to tourism and fishing for its next great legacy. Resorts and businesses began settling in and as visitors started discovering the incredible fishing and outdoor opportunities that the area offered, everlasting traditions were created. On the top of the list of reasons to visit Pelican Lake in Orr, MN is the fishing. Known mostly for its legendary pan fishing, bluegills and crappies, Pelican Lake is also proven to be an incredible habitat for northern pike, walleye and large and smallmouth bass. With an average depth just below 14 ft, Pelican Lakes’ huge expanse of weed beds, rock piles, trenches and sand bars create endless fishing hot spots. Read entire article: http://learninghowtofish.com/where-to-go-fishing/fishing-minnesota/fishing-pelican-lake/

Welcome to Orr-Pelican Lake, Minnesota

Located in northern Minnesota’s Voyageur Country, the Orr-Pelican Lake area offers unbeatable Minnesota fishing and the great northern Minnesota vacations you’ve been looking for! Pelican Lake is well known as one of the best Minnesota fishing lakes. Pelican Lake fishing includes bass, walleye, northern and crappie for serious anglers, and non-stop pan fish action for the kids. You’re sure to land your limit of fun during a stay at one of our northern Minnesota fishing resorts. Nestled on the shores of Pelican Lake, Orr, Minnesota is a charming little community that welcomes visitors with warmth and down-home friendliness. Read entire article: http://www.orrpelicanlake.com/

17 Antique Stores Withing 50 Miles Of Aspen MN Resort

Many of our guests enjoy visiting the Antique stores in the Orr area. There are 17 Antique Stores in or near Orr, Minnesota MN within 50 miles of Aspen MN Resort. Antiques On Howard Antiques On Howard is located approximately 51 miles from Orr. Read more about Antiques On Howard in Hibbing, MN Back In Time Antiques Back In Time Antiques is located approximately 49 miles from Orr. Read more about Back In Time Antiques in Gilbert, MN C T Antiques C T Antiques is located approximately 53 miles from Orr. Read more about C T Antiques in Hibbing, MN D B Enterprises Antiques D B Enterprises Antiques is located approximately 48 miles from Orr. Read more about D B Enterprises Antiques in Ely, MN Funtiques Funtiques is located approximately 22 miles from Orr. Read more about Funtiques in Cook, MN Iron Range Antiques Iron Range Antiques is located approximately 50 miles from Orr. Read more about Iron Range Antiques in Gilbert, MN LIVING IN THE PAST LIVING IN THE PAST is located approximately 53 miles from Orr. Read more about LIVING IN THE PAST in HIBBING, MN No Place Like Home No Place Like Home is located approximately 40 miles from Orr. Read more about No Place Like Home in Internatl Falls, MN Old Village Hall Antiques Old Village Hall Antiques is located approximately 49 miles from Orr. Read more about Old Village Hall Antiques in Gilbert, MN Rat Root River Antiques Rat Root River Antiques is located approximately 25 miles from Orr. Read more about Rat Root River Antiques in Kabetogama, MN Remember When Antiques Remember When Antiques is located approximately 51 miles from Orr. Read more about Remember When Antiques in Hibbing, MN Rummage In The Park Rummage In The Park is located approximately 50 miles from Orr. Read more about Rummage In The Park in Hibbing, MN Snowshoe Second Hand Shop Snowshoe Second Hand Shop is located approximately 54 miles from Orr. Read more about Snowshoe Second Hand Shop in Marcell, MN TRADER CRAIG SALES TRADER CRAIG SALES is located approximately 44 miles from Orr. Read more about TRADER CRAIG SALES in ELY, MN Talk Of The Town Talk Of The Town is located approximately 46 miles from Orr. Read more about Talk Of The Town in Chisholm, MN Treasurers & Trinkets Antiques Treasurers & Trinkets Antiques is located approximately 38 miles from Orr. Read more about Treasurers & Trinkets Antiques in Internatl Falls, MN Treasurers & Trinkets Antq Treasurers & Trinkets Antq is located approximately 36 miles from Orr. Read more about Treasurers & Trinkets Antq in Ranier, MN

You Don't Have To Go To Iceland To See The Aurora Borealis

Many people choose their vacation destination on where the best spots to view the Northern Lights are? Did you know... that if conditions are just right, you can see the aurora borealis here in Minnesota? Although the northern lights are normally only visible at very high latitudes in places like Alaska, Canada, and Iceland, on extremely active days the auroral oval expands to more southern latitudes. The Space Plasma Physics Research Group at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis created this web site to share the beauty of the northern lights with you. This site features photographs of the aurora borealis taken in Minnesota by Professor John Winckler, as well as links to other aurora images on the WWW. We have also included information on space weather forecasts, and lists of resources essential for every aurora watcher. Visit our Aurora Gallery to see examples of what the aurora borealis looks like when it is visible in Minnesota. The Aurora Gallery features photographs of the auroral borealis taken by University of Minnesota Professor Emeritus John Winckler. Dr. Winckler received his Ph.D. from Princeton in 1946 and is an expert in the field of space physics - the study of Earth's magnetosphere, the solar wind, and the aurora. The photographs were taken by Dr. Winckler at the O'Brien Observatory located in Marine-on-the-St. Croix, Minnesota. The O'Brien Observatory is maintained by the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities Department of Astronomy. Read the entire article here: http://ham.space.umn.edu/aurora.html

Rainy Day Activities For Your Minnesota Resort Vacation

Plan ahead for a rainy day on vacation and you will learn to embrace the occasional rainy day and enjoy your time as a family, no matter the weather. It's a great time for family bonding, especially if you are prepared! ~Bring frozen cookie dough and let your kids bake and decorate cookies ~Make some homemade play dough and site down and get creative as a family ~Bring binoculars and have the kids find tiny things from the cabin window. Winner gets to pick the next item to find. ~Bring a book that can be enjoyed by the entire family and take turns reading aloud. ~If the weather forcast doesn't include thunder and lightning go ahead and take a nice brisk walk along the beach or venture into the woods to explore the area flora. Don't forget to look for worms as you can use them to catch pan fish from the dock. ~Puzzles are always a good stand by when it's raining, little ones might get bored so make sure to pick something that is age appropriate. ~Bring a few of your family favorite movies to watch late in the afternoon, make popcorn and cuddle under the blankets. A rainy day may turn into a cherished family memory!

10 Best Walleye Recipes

If by some miracle you still have some Pelican Lake Walleye in your freezer, here are some of the best recipes we've found! People search high and low for the best walleye recipes. Walleye is one of the most sought after fish because of it’s thick white fillets and minimal cooking to make a delectable meal. Walleye is fished by recreational anglers as well as commercial fisherman because it is so palatable. People enjoy catching walleye, not only because of their elusiveness but also the many ways to cook walleye. The whitefish can be baked, broiled, fried or grilled. Below is a compilation of ten of the best walleye recipes. If you are looking for easy walleye recipes with great flavor you have found the place! CRISPY BAKED WALLEYE Serves 4 Crispy breaded fish without frying! Write a reviewSave RecipePrint Prep Time10 min Cook Time15 min Total Time25 min INGREDIENTS 2 Eggs 1 Tablespoon water 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs 1/3 cup instant mashed potatoes 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon seasoned salt 4 (4 oz) walleye fillets INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet. 2. Beat the eggs and water together in a bowl until smooth; set aside. Combine the bread crumbs, potato flakes, and Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl with the seasoned salt until evenly mixed. Dip the walleye fillets into the beaten egg, then press into the bread crumb mixture. Place onto the prepared baking sheet. 3. Bake in the preheated oven until the fish is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. By Fishing In Minnesota - Find more Walleye Recipes Here: http://fishing-in-minnesota.com/blog/2013/06/05/10-best-walleye-recipes/#sthash.CLDTMUO1.dpbs

Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary

A great story about the Vince Shute Wildlife Sancuary located in Orr Minnesota, just minutes from Aspen MN Resort! Beguiled by bears In northern Minnesota, the man who loved bears left a legacy for thousands. A bear cub takes refuge in a tree at the wildlife sanctuary. Half a century ago, a Minnesota logger who lived in a forest full of hungry bears decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. By the time he died at age 86, Vince Shute had fed generations of black bears, become best friends with a bear named Brownie and inspired bear-lovers all over the world. Shute wasn't a sophisticated man, but he had a heart. "In 1942, Vince Shute had a logging camp, and it had a cookshack,'' says Bill Lea of the American Bear Association. "The bears would smell those good smells and break into the shack. Now, Vince and his men were afraid of bears, and every time one came, they'd shoot it. He said that over the next 10 years, he killed scores of bears. "So finally, Vince came up with another plan. He thought, 'Maybe if I put food outside the cabin, they won't break in.' Well, it worked. What Vince didn't count on is that he would end up feeding these bears for nearly 50 years.'' Every day, some of the 80 bears in the forest near Orr, just south of Voyageurs National Park, would drop by for a snack, depending on what else they could find in the woods. As Shute aged, volunteers began helping him at his homestead, and in 1996, they built a raised wooden observation deck for the thousands of people who showed up to watch him feed the bears. Today, it's the Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary, where volunteer naturalists Read More: https://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_trip/nature/birds_wildlife/orr_bear_sanctuary_minnesota.html

4 Scientific Reasons Vacations Are Good For Your Health

How many times have you wanted to take a vacation but thought, I just have too much to do?

How many times have you complained how exhausted you are but without doing anything about it? How many times have you been frustrated by the long hours you are working, but without giving yourself a rest? According to a recent survey, the average U.S. employee takes only half of their allotted vacation time. Unsurprisingly, they're suffering from being overworked, overwhelmed and overwrought. Read entire article here: https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/4-scientific-reasons-why-vacation-is-awesome-for-you.html

The view from The Pelican is great.

Brett Robinson, Des Moines IA

13" Crappie 

6/28/17 Aaron Beckman

Des Moines, IA

Smallmouth Bass

6 lbs 

21 in

June, 28th 2017 

Caught 29 inch / 10 lb walleye on Pelican Lake on Monday, June 26, 2017. Caught by Dennis Beckman- Home- Urbandale

Monday evening before the rain

A beautiful evening on Pelican Lake.

14 1/2" Crappie

5/16/17 Kazzy Ksiazkiewicz of Oglesby, IL didn't waste any time once he arrived. The morning after his arrival he landed this 14 1/2" Crappie

Opening Day Catch

The Zagelmeyer's of Hermantown, MN. showing off their opening day catch. A few 13+ inch crappies and a 21" catch and release Largemouth Bass to close out the day! 

Rental boats

Two thirds of the rental fleet is in the lake. Will be finishing up tomorrow and starting on the water to the cabins. The weather was perfect today for outside projects.

New Manitou pontoon

Our new pontoon is all lettered and heading to the lake. 4/30/17

Pelican Lake Ice Out 4/14/17

4/14/17 with the high winds today it really helped with ice removal. As you can see it looks like the only ice left on the lake is this small patch right along the North shore. If you're out on Pelican just be careful and keep your eyes open for possible floating ice patches. Happy Easter weekend everyone!

ICE SHOULD BE GONE BY EASTER

The ice is disappearing quicky. Still large sections of ice out in the main part of lake but with today's winds it should go fairly fast. Happy Easter everyone!

ICE OUT PHOTO 4/13/17

4/12/17 ICE CONDITIONS

A Beautiful Sunday Sunset

Tonight's​ sunset from the resort. What a great ending to a productive weekend while getting ready for the fishing opener less than 5 weeks away!