Prairie Lake
About Prairie Lake
Prairie Lake is a 1,331-acre lake near Grand Rapids in Itasca County, Minnesota. It reaches 31 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 21.5 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 4.2 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 18 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2025.
There are 2 public boat launches (concrete surface) managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. Ice typically goes out around April 23, based on 18 years of DNR ice-out records.
Plan Your Visit to Prairie Lake
- 1,331 acres, up to 31 feet deep, near Grand Rapids
- 2 public boat launches (concrete) — managed by the Minnesota DNR and township
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black crappie, and bluegill
- Average water clarity around 4.2 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- Minnesota DNR, township
Conditions
- Surface area
- 1,331 acres
- Max depth
- 31 ft
- Shoreline
- 21.5 mi
- Water clarity
- 4.2 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 853 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 public boat launches (concrete)
Best For
- Walleye fishing
- Ice fishing
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 18
- Game fish
- 10
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2025
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- Yes
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Ice-Out History
- Median ice-out
- April 23
- Years of record
- 18
- Earliest
- March 30, 2012
- Latest
- May 11, 2013
- Most recent
- April 24, 2026
See every lake on the ice-out tracker. Ice-out data: Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Prairie Lake
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Nearby Lakes
Shoal Lake
27 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset676 acres
2.2 miles away
McKinney Lake
41 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids106 acres
3.8 miles away
Little Bass Lake
63 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Cohasset161 acres
3.9 miles away
Hale Lake
61 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Grand Rapids130 acres
4.5 miles away
Island Lake
56 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Canisteo67 acres
4.6 miles away
Canisteo Pit
46 out of 100 Lake ScoreItasca · Coleraine1,458 acres
5.1 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Prairie Lake?
Prairie Lake is in Itasca County, Minnesota, near Grand Rapids. It covers 1,331 acres and reaches 31 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Prairie Lake?
Prairie Lake covers 1,331 acres with about 21.5 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 31 feet.
What fish can you catch at Prairie Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch, and Burbot and other species. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Prairie Lake?
Yes. Prairie Lake has 2 public boat launches (concrete), managed by the Minnesota DNR and township. DNR public water accesses are free to use.
Can you swim at Prairie Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Prairie Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Prairie Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Prairie Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.
When does the ice go out on Prairie Lake?
The median ice-out date is April 23, from 18 years of Minnesota DNR records. The earliest on record is March 30, 2012 and the latest is May 11, 2013.