Prairie Lake

Details

DNR lake ID

31038400

County

Itasca

Surface area

1,331 acres

Maximum depth

31 feet

Shallow water (littoral) area

853 acres, 64% of the lake

Shoreline

21.5 miles

Average water clarity

4.2 feet (Secchi disk, 7 readings)

Nearest town (DNR)

Grand Rapids

Latest DNR fish survey

June 2025, targeted survey

Surveys on record

13, since 1955

Game fish caught in the 2025 survey

black crappie 132, yellow perch 128, northern pike 86, bluegill 56, walleye 7, pumpkinseed 5, smallmouth bass 2, rock bass 1

Fish species recorded

black crappie, bluegill, hybrid sunfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed, rock bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch, and 19 other species

Stocked in 2025

walleye fry (800,000)

Stocked in 2024

walleye fry (800,000)

Stocked in 2023

walleye fry (800,000)

Stocking years on record

5 of the last 10 (2021 to 2025)

Prairie Lake (W) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 6 trailer spaces, run by Arbo Township

Prairie Lake (S) Public Water Access Site

trailer launch, concrete slab ramp, 3 trailer spaces, run by Arbo Township

Eating advice, sensitive populations

crappie: all sizes - 1 serving/month

Eating advice, general populations

crappie: all sizes - 2 servings/week

Size

500 to 1,999 acres

Deepest point

30 to 59 feet

Public access

Yes

Stocked in the last 3 years

Yes

Lake-specific eating advice

Yes

Sources

• Minnesota DNR LakeFinder
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota DNR Public Water Access Sites
  Checked September 24, 2026
• Minnesota Department of Health fish consumption guidelines
  Checked September 24, 2026

Survey catches show what DNR nets and electrofishing found on the survey date, not how the fishing is today. Check the current regulations and the Department of Health advice before you keep fish, and confirm access conditions before you tow a boat.