Size
1,413ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in Prairie Lake
Walleye
Northern pike
Bluegill
Largemouth bass
Perch
Crappie
Smallmouth bass
Pumpkinseed
Overview
Well known for quality panfish and largemouth bass. Good numbers of walleye and northern provide year-round action. Chain of six lakes include Chetek, Moose Ear, Ojaski, Pokegama, Prairie and Tenmile.
Prairie Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Species Regulations
- Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Cisco And Whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
- Lake Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Largemouth Bass And Smallmouth Bass: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
- Muskellunge And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to December 31, 2026 on open water: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
- Northern Pike: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
- Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
- Rock, Yellow, And White Bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Rough Fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
- Round Goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
- Shovelnose Sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
- Trout: See specific regulations: See Trout Regulations
- Walleye, Sauger, And Hybrids: May 2, 2026 to March 7, 2027: The minimum length is 15”, but walleye, sauger, and hybrids from 20” to 24” may not be kept, and only 1 fish over 24” is allowed. The daily bag limit is 3.
- White Perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a WDNR Office.
Features
The Chetek Chain is a popular navigable chain of six lakes that is heavily utilized by recreational boaters and anglers. No-wake areas are posted under all bridges and channel areas. Prairie Lake is noted for its floating and submergent bogs. These range in size from half an acre to 3-acres and since some are not attached to the bottom, wind and moving ice can often change their location.
Forage
Golden shiner, common shiner and various minnow species offer a diverse forage base. Juvenile bluegill, perch and crappie are important forage for larger predators.
Seasonal Movements
Walleye and northern pike move into Moose Ear, Tenmile, Pokegama and Rice Creek during their annual spring spawning migrations. During summer, a movement of walleye and northern pike from the northern lakes into the southern lakes has been observed.
Weather
59°Feels like 59°
74°
55°
74°55°6:46 AM
7:16 PM
0 mph
Southeast
0 in
Rain
30.39 inHg
Falling
WednesdayWe
74° / 55°
ThursdayTh
78° / 52°
FridayFr
62° / 53°
SaturdaySa
69° / 50°
SundaySu
70° / 48°
MondayMo
69° / 50°
Moon Phase
September 16, 2026
28% Illumination
waxing crescent, getting brighter
WednesdayWe09/16
ThursdayTh09/17
FridayFr09/18
SaturdaySa09/19
SundaySu09/20
MondayMo09/21
TuesdayTu09/22
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Top Fish Species
Walleye
11-21 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
