Located on the northwest portion of Chichagof Island, approximately 100 miles west of Juneau and 90 miles north of Sitka, Pelican is considered to be the starting point to visit the Chichagof & Yakobi Island Wilderness Area. Founded as a commercial fish processing site in 1938 the town’s fish plant adopted the logo “closest to the fish”, a claim Pelican retains to this day.

TIRED OF THE USUAL? THEN COME AND SEE US!

At first glance it is difficult to say what is the most eye catching as one arrives in Pelican; the 22-mile fjord on which it nestles, the 3,000-foot mountains bordering Lisianski Inlet, or the boardwalk community itself. Pelican’s road system is primarily a ten-foot wide boardwalk stretching along the inlet for more than a mile, on either side are homes and businesses built on pilings. Many sports fishermen come here looking for a lunker King Salmon or the monster Halibut. Some folks just like to hang out, strolling the boardwalk watching the tide ebb and flood under them. Recently we have seen a number of photographers and authors come to enjoy the serenity of the rural lifestyle and the unique flavor of an Alaskan commercial fishing town. Make no mistake about it; Pelican was built, as a center for the commercial fishing fleet and that is still the main industry today. Check out the “Activities” page, you are certain to find one that is intriguing!