Prairie Lake

Prairie Lake

Size
1413ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
Yes
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in Prairie Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Northern pike
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Walleye
Walleye

Prairie Lake 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.

Fishing Regulations in Prairie Lake

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 Waterbody Regulations

  • Bag limits are for fish caught in all lakes in the CHETEK CHAIN including LAKE CHETEK, MUD LAKE, POKEGAMA LAKE, TENMILE LAKE
  • Catch and release fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass is open year round unless otherwise noted.
  • Motor Trolling is allowed with up to 3 hooks, baits, or lures, per angler.

Special Species Regulations

  • Rough fish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Shovelnose sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • White perch: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Catfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Panfish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 25.
  • Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 14” and the daily bag limit is 5.
  • Muskellunge and hybrids: May 25, 2024 to December 31, 2024: The minimum length limit is 40” and the daily bag limit is 1.
  • Northern pike: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: The minimum length limit is 26” and the daily bag limit is 2.
  • Trout: See specific regulations: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fishing/trout/.
  • Walleye, sauger, and hybrids: May 4, 2024 to March 2, 2025: 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.
  • Round goby: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.
  • Bullheads: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Cisco and whitefish: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is 10.
  • Lake sturgeon: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Paddlefish: Closed: No fishing allowed.
  • Rock, yellow, and white bass: Open All Year: No minimum length limit and the daily bag limit is unlimited.
  • Ruffe: Open All Year: The daily bag limit is 0, one may be killed and possessed for transport to a wdnr office.

Prairie Lake 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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
3-10 in
Length Range
6 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
Crappie
fish
5-11 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
Largemouth bass
fish
7-17 in
Length Range
11 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Electro
Catch Method
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
Northern pike
fish
20-39 in
Length Range
26 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
Perch
fish
5-12 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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
Smallmouth bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No survey data
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
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
11-21 in
Length Range
14 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
Trapnet
Catch Method
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