Jacob's Cove Resort
Pelican Rapids
Call for current rates
Pelican Rapids sits on the Pelican River in western Otter Tail County. East of town, North Lida covers about 5,564 acres and connects under Highway 108 to South Lida, 856 acres and 48 feet deep. Lake Lizzie, 4,035 acres, lies just north of Lida, and Maplewood State Park is nearby.
Around Vergas, to the north-east, small cabin resorts sit on Loon, Spirit, Sybil and Leek lakes. Most lodging here rents by the week. Walleye, bass, pike and panfish are the main fish.
I. The lodges
Where to stay
Stay on Lida or Lizzie for the bigger lakes near town, at Maplewood State Park for campsites and camper cabins, or around Vergas for small family resorts.
6 places to stay
Pelican Rapids, Lida & Lizzie
Resorts and campgrounds on Lake Lida and Lake Lizzie, the hotel, motel and city campground in Pelican Rapids, and Maplewood State Park.
Lake Lizzie Shores Campground (Lake Lizzie Shores Resort & Campground)
Pelican Rapids
From $6,600 / season · year not stated
Lakes Inn at Dunvilla
Pelican Rapids
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Maplewood State Park campgrounds and camper cabins (Minnesota DNR)
Pelican Rapids
From $24–$85 / night · year not stated
Pelican Motel
Pelican Rapids
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Sherin Park & Campground (Sherin Memorial Park)
Pelican Rapids
From $15–$20 / night · year not stated
5 places to stay
The Vergas lakes
Cabin resorts on Loon, Spirit, Sybil and Leek lakes around Vergas, north-east of Pelican Rapids.
Lillibridge's Maple Beach Resort
Vergas
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Loon Lake Resort
Vergas
From $1,100–$1,200 / week · year not stated
Lost Valley Resort
Vergas
From $725–$1,125 / week · 2026
Skillings Lakeside Resort & Campground
Vergas
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Spirit Lake Resort & Campground
Vergas
From $100 / week (RV site) · year not stated
II. On the water
What a guided day costs
| Boat | Full day | Typical | Half day | Typical | Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guide boat, up to 3–4 anglers | $900 | $900 | $450 | $450 | 1 |
"Typical" is the median of published rates. Most operators don't put a year on their rates.
Independent guides
Lodges that run their own guides are listed with the lodges above.
| Guide | Full day | Half day | Boat | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meister Guide ServiceBattle Lake | $900 | $450 | Guide boat, up to 3–4 |
III. Hard water
Ice fishing: day houses and sleepers
No fish-house rental names these lakes; one guide rents day houses and sleepers.
| Outfitter | Day house | Sleeper | How you get out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meister Guide ServiceBattle Lake | $200/day for 1-2 people, $250 for 3-4, $300 for 5-6; rods, reels, drilled holes and heat included | $350/day for up to 4 adults; 110v hookups, stove tops and bunks |
IV. The almanac
Seasons at a glance
- May 9, 2026Walleye, sauger and pike seasons open.
- May 23Bass harvest opens.
- June 6Muskie season opens.
- September 14Smallmouth bass go back to catch-and-release only.
- February 28, 2027Walleye, sauger and pike seasons close.
- March 1, 2027Every fish house must be off the ice by midnight.
Fishing dates are from the DNR's 2026 regulations.
V. Regulations
Fishing rules
2026–27 season (May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027)
- Walleye and sauger season: May 9, 2026 – February 28, 2027. 6 combined, only one walleye over 20 inches, except on the Lida lakes and Little McDonald.
- North and South Lida, with Mud Lake: release every walleye from 17 through 26 inches; only one over 26. Crappie 11-inch minimum; sunfish 10 a day.
- Little McDonald, with Kerbs Lake: release every walleye from 17 through 26 inches; only one over 26.
- Franklin Lake: crappie 10-inch minimum and 5 a day; sunfish 5 a day. Crystal and Prairie lakes: sunfish 10 a day.
- Northern pike (North-central Zone): 10 in possession, not more than 2 over 26 inches; release every pike from 22 through 26 inches.
- Bass: catch-and-release only from March 1 to May 22, then 6 combined from May 23. Smallmouth go back to catch-and-release from September 14.
- Fish houses must be off the ice by midnight on March 1, 2027.
From the DNR's 2026 Minnesota Fishing Regulations: inland seasons, the North-central pike zone, and the special regulations for the Otter Tail County lakes named below. Lake Lizzie has no special regulation in the 2026 booklet. Check before you fish.
VI. Asked at the dock
Questions people ask
How much does a fishing guide cost around Pelican Rapids and Vergas?
A guide boat for up to 3–4 anglers runs $900–$900 for a full day. Rates are per boat, not per person, and usually include bait and gas.
What are the walleye rules on Lake Lida?
On North and South Lida, every walleye from 17 through 26 inches must be released, and only one over 26 inches may be kept, within the statewide limit of 6 walleye and sauger.
What are the crappie rules on Lida and Franklin?
Crappie on the Lida lakes must be at least 11 inches. On Franklin Lake they must be at least 10 inches, with a limit of 5 a day.
Sources and photo credits
Photos: Beaver Lake - Maplewood State Park, Minnesota (37511361020), Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0; Pelican River - Pelican Rapids, Minnesota (37770073411), Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0.
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