Prairie Lake

How big is Prairie Lake?

How deep is Prairie Lake?

What kind of fish can you catch in Prairie Lake?

What are the closest cities to Prairie Lake?

Are there boat launches on Prairie Lake?

Are there places to eat and drink near Prairie Lake?

Prairie Lake is located about four miles north of Grand Rapids, within the Mississippi River Watershed. The 1,064-acre lake is about 80% littoral (853 acres less than 15 feet deep) with 18 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 31 feet. The water is bog-stained with transparency ranging from 3.2 to 7.0 feet in summer surveys. There are two accesses, one on the northwest shore and the other on the south end (Lower Prairie). The Prairie River passes through the lake and a small hydro-electric dam at the outlet acts as a fish barrier while upstream facilitates fish migration. Most of the shoreline is privately owned and relatively developed.

The Fisheries Lake Management Plan (LMP) was last revised in 2013. Northern Pike were considered the primary management species because they are well suited to the lake. Bluegill, Black Crappie, and Walleye were considered secondary species. Walleye are actively managed via stocking of surplus fry from the Grand Rapids State Fish Hatchery. A gill net targeted survey was conducted in July to determine the status of select gamefish species and provide information to anglers.

Northern pike were sampled at a rate of 5.1/gill net, which was tied for the highest observed and within the expected range for similar lakes. Catches have been traditionally near the low end of the expected range but lower numbers are desirable because they contribute to faster growth and better size quality. Lengths resembled previous surveys and ranged from 14.2 to 30.7 inches with an average of 20.4 inches. Size structure was relatively poor with only 3% of the sample exceeding 28 inches. Pike were not aged in this survey but previous surveys noted frequent recruitment and average growth rates.

Prairie Lake has a history of producing relatively high numbers of small crappie. Black Crappie were the most numerous species observed in gill nets and the catch was higher than typical for lakes with similar habitats. Lengths were similar to past surveys and ranged from 4.1-10.7 inches with an average of 7.0 inches. Only 2% of the sample exceeded 10 inches. Nine year-classes from ages 1 through 10 were estimated from scales. Recruitment appeared inconsistent with ages 2 and 5 the most frequently sampled. Growth appeared slow. Crappie averaged 8.4 inches after 6 years.

Lakes with similar habitats are poorly suited for Walleye and Prairie Lake has a long history of producing a marginal fishery. Walleye were sampled at a historically low rate of 0.4/gill net despite fry stocking in 2021. Lengths from the six sampled fish ranged from 11.6 to 20.4 inches with an average of 15.0 inches. No meaningful conclusions of size structure can be drawn from such a small sample size. Conditions for Walleye management continue to appear poor as Northern Pike catches were the highest observed and Yellow Perch catches remained low.

Bluegill catches have historically been variable. Lengths ranged from from 3.7 to 7.4 inches with an average of 6 inches. Size structure was poor. Ages 2 through 8 were represented in the sample and growth was average. Bluegill averaged 6.2 inches after 6 years.

Yellow Perch were sampled in low numbers compared to previous surveys and below the expected range for similar lakes. Past catches have typically been variable but within the expected range. Lengths ranged from 5.5 to 9.3 inches with an average of 6.5 inches. Size structure was moderate and not likely to interest most anglers.

Other species sampled included Bowfin, Brown Bullhead, Golden Redhorse, Largemouth Bass, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, and Yellow Bullhead.

Anglers and boaters are reminded to help slow the spread of invasive species by removing all aquatic plants from boats, trailers, and equipment. All drain plugs must be removed, and live and bait wells must be drained before leaving the access. Anglers and boaters are encouraged to power wash and thoroughly dry all equipment prior to use in another water body.

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